Virginia Creeper Trail uses an old rail bed in the Mount Rodgers National Recreation area. This trail is one of my favorites. The scenery is gorgeous, the trail is maintained excellently, and you are descending most of the time if you take a van from Damascus to Whitetop and then bike back like I did.
Definitely the way to go, and if you don't have a bike, well rentals
are available at Damascus. A must see for all cyclists.