This image is the cover for the book Virginia Rail Trails, History & Guide

Virginia Rail Trails, History & Guide

Take a tour of Virginia's scenic rail trails with author Joe Tennis as he explores restored train stations, discovers a railroad's lost island graveyard and crosses the commonwealth on its idyllic paths.


These classic rail lines of Virgina that were once only accessible to train engineers or a few lucky passengers can now be enjoyed by anyone looking for a scenic hike or bike ride. The trails highlight the natural beauty of Old Dominion, from the sunrise side of the Eastern Shore to the setting sun at the Cumberland gap, and each trail, with names like the "Virginia Creeper" and the "Dick & Willie," has a personality and grandeur all its own.

Joe Tennis

Joe Tennis is the author of many books, including "Southwest Virginia Crossroads"; "Washington County, Virginia" ;"Sullivan County, Tennessee"; "Haunts of Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands"; "The Marble and Other Ghost Tales of Tennessee and Virginia"; and "Finding Franklin: Mystery of the Lost State Capitol."He has written about rail trails across Virginia since 1992 for newspapers and magazines such as Blue Ridge Country, Bristol Herald Courier, the Roanoke Times, Virginia Living and Hampton Roads Magazine.

The History Press