October 2025
Blue Ridge Tunnel
During my trip to xxxxxxx
The Blue Ridge Tunnel was constructed between 1850 and 1858 beneath Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. CSX Transportation generously donated the tunnel to Nelson County in 2007.
The tunnel is located at the convergence of the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive, the northern entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, and U. S. Bicycle Route 76. Both Interstate 64 and U. S. 250 cross over the tunnel at Rockfish Gap.
On the 21st September 2020, the tunnel was opened with an access trail. A Nelson County Parks and Recreation press release announced the Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail system would open from sunrise to sunset.
The project incorporates an access trail through the restored tunnel and new trailheads on both sides of the Blue Ridge with access for hikers, walkers, bicyclists, and others.
The trail is a total of 2.25 miles from one trailhead to the other. The tunnel is 4,273 feet, which is almost a mile long.
From the east trailhead through to the end of the tunnel is: 1.44 miles
From the west trailhead through to the end of the tunnel is: 1.62 miles
Nelson County owns the trails.
There are no plans to light the tunnel, so visitors are urged to bring headlamps or flashlights.
Length of Tunnel:
4,273 feet (.81 miles); change in elevation -55 feet; average grade -1.3%
Trail width is 8-10 ft. Cross Slope 1-2% for the entire trail. Surface material: crushed stone
East Trailhead to West Trailhead: 2.25 miles
https://www.blueridgetunnel.org/
xxx
Hxxxxx
