Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead - Hiking area in Afton - 215 Afton Depot Ln, USA

Awesome little hike! I think it's about a 1/4 mile to the tunnel from the afton side, but it's a comfortable walk to the tunnel. The tunnel is awesome! It's nice and cool in there, and such an awesome experience walking through the tunnel. Bring a head lamp or flashlight, it's pitch black in there! This is a great hike! Go check it out!

We went to the East entrance. It was a fun walk for our 4 year old and a stroller for our baby. We are not hikers, so you know if we do it, it's not too hard. There are benches to rest or nurse the baby on the trail to the tunnel. Don't forget your flashlights! You want lights in the tunnel. It's a fun experience!

I enjoyed it tremendously. The tunnel was scary for some of the children, but exciting for the adventurous children. Flashlight for all children individually is recommended.

This is a great trail and worth the stop. The tunnel entrance is about a half mile walk from the parking lot. The tunnel itself is about .87/mil in length. So, just the tunnel out and back is nearly 2.5 miles roundtrip. An easy walk that took us about an hour and half with stops inside the tunnel to check it out. A headlamp/flashlight is a must if you want to really see what's in there.

The east entrance is flat and densely packed rock, so it is very stroller friendly. The west entrance has a steep decline getting down to the tunnel - something a couple bikers were kind enough to point out when they saw me making my way towards the entrance with my dog and stroller. East entrance has plenty of parking and porta-potties. The trail is very well marked, including distance signs, and fun facts along the way for those who enjoy reading. Trail is very easy, however, more than a phone flashlight is highly recommended for the tunnel itself as it is DARK. It is also quite chilly (significant temp drop from the 85⁰ temp outdoors) - I'm grateful my son had a long sleeve, footed onesie and hat, or he would have been cold. The tunnel itself is relatively smooth but it is grooved in areas from water. There is running water and dripping water from the tunnel archway throughout, so do not be surprised to get wet. It's a little eery for little ones (my kiddo slept through most of it), and even my dog was a little on edge, but it was fun and worth the stop. Budget about an hour and 30 minutes.

Quirky on one hand, but also super meaningful when one thinks of the effort and lives lost during its construction, which took over nine years!! Many Orish immigrants and also slave labor utilized to make this nearly 1-mile tunnel through solid rock. Says flashlights are required, but I recommend turning them off for the trip or at least a portion to experience God's creation as it was in the past when this tunnel was dug. Awesome!

Historic landmark. Well provided with clear and honest historical placards. Take a headlamp or flashlight.

Excellent afternoon hike location. Very easy trail and plenty of parking. Definitely recommend taking a good flashlight along as the tunnel itself is very dark without one. Trail wasn't extremely busy but there were others out enjoying the day. Trail from parking lot to tunnel is very easy with a very slight incline but not really noticable.