The Blue Ridge Tunnel trail system offers two access points to the tunnel:
The western trailhead is situated just east of Waynesboro at 483 Three Notched Mountain Highway and has 20 spaces and 2 oversized areas for small buses. The steep grade of the western trailhead may limit access to people with limited mobility.
The east trail is fully accessible, primarily flat and offers views of the active railroad line. The 56-spot parking lot can be found at 215 Afton Depot Lane.
The trail is just over 2.25 miles one way. The crushed stone path offers the explorer a chance to travel back in time to touch the original pin scars from the 1850s. Today, the tunnel is more cave-like and holds year-round temperatures of 50 degrees. In the summer, the tunnel will feel refreshingly cool and in the winter, welcomingly warm. The tunnel gets completely dark in the middle, so visitors are encouraged to wear headlamps or carry flashlights. Nearly 20 years in the making, the trail, which is open dawn to dusk, has something for everyone from railroad enthusiasts, hikers and bikers, history buffs, to cave dwellers. The tunnel is also a family-friendly and pet-friendly adventure!
