Blue Ridge Tunnel SOLO Hike - Claudius Crozet Tunnel Virginia
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- čas přidán 1. 12. 2020
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Parking Lots
The East Entrance - Nelson County
215 Afton Depot Lane
Afton, Virginia 22920
The West Entrance - Augusta County
483 Three Notched Mountain Hwy
Waynesboro, Virginia 22980
#BlueRidgeTunnel #CrozetTunnel #RVAHikerGirl #CharlottesvilleVirginia #WaynesboroVirginia #VirginiaHikingTrails #BestVirginiaHikes #FavoriteVirginiaHikes #trainhistory
Thank you for sharing this trail with us. Making a plan to go check it out!
Hi Jennifer! You will love this unique VA hike. There is so much great history in regards to that tunnel and area as well. There is a new documentary series that just came out talking about what went into making it a trail and the Irish immigrants who built it. I really enjoyed it. If you ever have any questions about hikes in VA just let me know. I have 150 videos on my channel of hikes in VA, WVA, MD, and even GA. Thanks for stopping by. ~RVA~
Congrats on overcoming your fear of walking through the tunnel. Your amazing video is your reward for your bravery. As a child, I walked through an active train tunnel in Sabula, PA and vividly remember how cold and scary it felt the further I walked though it.
Thank you so much! I have been back several times since I posted this video. I think its easier when I'm with other people because they are distraction. But I still have in the back of my mind how far I was under the mountain. And the history I learned since then, of how many people died in the tunnel while making it is a bit spooky too. Thanks a bunch for stopping by my channel. I have 150+ other videos is you ever get bored and are looking for something to watch. LOL! ~RVA~
I grew up in Crozet. We had a few earthquakes but nothing to write home to Momma about. The tunnel was well built and not likely to cave in. Enjoy your travels. (Make it a point to visit the town of Crozet while you’re there!)
👍😃👍
Yes, I don't live too far away from that area myself. You are very lucky to live in such a beautiful place! I always try to visit trail towns whenever I have time.
That was an awesome tunnel trail !! Great video, loved your leggings, they reminded me of a rainbow trout 😁
I just seen in the description that they are rainbow trout legging !!☺️
Ha Ha, aww thanks, that's actually what they are is rainbow trout. The owner designs all of her patterns from nature. Yana from Feral Lyfe is AMAZING! This tunnel is such a gem. Glad to hear you enjoyed the video. ~RVA~
Great video Jacqueline.
I have a similar walk to do here in Western Australia.
Watching your video has made me think about moving it forward to an earlier date.
I have to laugh at myself a bit, all I could imagine was Laurel and Hardy singing "on the trail of the blue ridge mountains"
Thanks for putting a smile on my face
All the best.
Clive
It was such a cool experience. I think I will always have that in the back of my mind that the mountain will fall down on me. But I would do it again in a second. Glad to hear that I made you smile.
CDP Outdoors, you have given me a gift. I never saw that movie before, and I live in Virginia 😂 Terrific. Oh, and thanks RVA HG
czcams.com/video/4S0uw2D9nEU/video.html
OMG! I went to the Blue Ridge tunnel and afton mountain last year! I love this place! It’s keeps me grounded and helps me relax when I need to take a drive there! Love it!
Yes Brandon! I have gone back many times since this visit and it is so relaxing and calming walking through there. Even though I still have in the back of my mind that the mountain could still fall on me. Thanks so much for checking out this video. Come back anytime - new vids every week. ~RVA~
Great video! Great job showing off the new trail and tunnel and conquering your fears! I've been down in some mines before and let me tell you, they are sketchy to say the least. Being open to the public, I can only imagine that engineers have gone over every square inch of this tunnel multiple times to assure its safety. This is definitely a VERY popular location and I highly recommend anyone to go early and if possible on a weekday.
Thanks a bunch! I can't even imagine going into a mine or going caving. I'll just have to watch your videos and live that experience virtually, lol. I guess I have that fear because I have ancestors that worked in the WVA coal mines and those stories passed down are terrifying. And then watching movies, didn't help either. I was thinking more of one of our VA earthquakes happening as I was walking through. Ah what our minds do to us!
What a wonderful post! I look forward to visiting the Crozet Tunnel soon. I’ve often pondered visiting “Route of the Hiawatha” out west. That 15 Mile crushed stone (Rails-to-Trails) course has numerous very long tunnels and towering trestles (best suited for an all-road bicycle, or long distance hiker). I’ll be using the Crozet Tunnel as a “yardstick” and if I really enjoy the Tunnel experience close to home- it’ll be time to plan for a trip to Idaho some day!
Thanks a bunch! Yes definitely go check it out. I think you'll really like it! Idaho sounds awesome!
Breathe…
You can always turn around but overcoming anxiety and succeeding is always a good outcome..
You did it…
Good job!
I’ve done it many times since I posted this video. It gets easier each time I go. Thank you for you words of encouragement.
Thanks for this video!! Definitely adding this hike to our list when we head that way next month!
Have fun!
Awesome new trail experience. Thanks for sharing. I’m happy to see that you took off your sunglasses for this hike!
🤪👍🏼🤩
You are very welcome! Thanks for checking it out Grace. I take my sunglasses off for a lot of my videos lol. But my eyes are super sensitive to light so I always wear them. Hee Hee!
That was some tunnel entrance and sounded real noisy with all the water dropping. Wow, it really was dark in the middle and amazing to think it was built 150 years ago. Well done on getting trough and also back again, double reason to be proud, cheers Alan
Yes, the water was loud and the echos of people far away in the tunnel were loud as well. There were actually small waterfalls inside the tunnel as well. Thanks for the watch my friend!
What a cool place! I love adventuring in new places! Love the history too! So cool!
Hey girl! This place is a real gem! I learned so much more history about after I hiked it. Such a unique place to go take a walk. Thanks for checking this one out. ~ RVA~
Great hike. Thanks for showing us the tunnel trail, we are putting it on our list to visit!
You are so welcome! If you need any other suggestions of hikes in the area just let me know!
I’m so glad I found your video! I’m supposed to be walking this tunnel this weekend and I’ve been very anxious about it. But thanks to you, I feel much better about it. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi there! I have hiked it many times since I made this video. It got easier and easier each time I did it. And I also have hiked it with other people and that took my mind off of my fears. You will love it. Its such a unique gem we have here in VA. Let me know how you liked it. ~RVA~
Great video RVA Hiker Girl, and what a cool trail!
Thanks so much Hipp Hiker Girl! As always I appreciate your on endless support!
I recently did this trail. Even if you’re not a hiker I still recommend it. It has to be the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. Definitely check it out.
Yes this trail is for everyone! Handicapped accessible, kids, young or old and its not very far. So glad you were able to check this gem of a place out. ~RVA~
Excellent job!👏🏽 I now know whether I can do this walk or not. Thanks for the great narration of this tunnel. Keep walking you look and sound fit.😊
Hi Gail! Thanks for checking out this video. It really is an easy walk and I have done it a bunch of times after the filming of this video. It's great to do in the summer because of the cool temps through the tunnel. I have 160+ videos up on my channel if you happen to be looking for other hikes. Massanutten Story Book Trail you may like as well. Short and easy hike to an amazing observation deck. Paved trail over several cool boardwalks. I have a video on it if you're interested. ~RVA~
I only knew about this because your video popped up in my feed. I took the fam on Saturday. Awesome trail!! Thanks for the heads up 😜
Oh cool Tyler! You are so very welcome! Glad you found this amazing VA gem! Not sure if you saw any of my other vids but I have tons of hikes and great places to camp in VA & MD on my channel if you're looking for other places to check out.
I've been waiting for that trail to open, thanks for the video!
Yes it's so exciting to have a brand new place to go explore in our state!
What an awesome tunnel!! Those old rail beds make for some good, flat trails. Hearing the voices, it must be popular.
This one is a must do Ron! It's such a unique place to go check out in VA.
Great tunnel! Quite an experience to walk through by yourself! Nice that it’s open now for hiking! Thanks for sharing! 👍👍👍🎄🎄
Hey Jennifer! Yes, it was cool to do it solo! So glad I opted to go alone - super fun experience!
@@RVAHikerGirl I bet it was great when you could see the bit of light ahead!
Hi RVAHG, nice video 👍 We drove from Clingmans Dome to Harper’s Ferry a few years back including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Waynesboro. Happy Memories. 👌 ATB from England, Justin.
That sounds like a great trip! This wasn't open to the public back then. But you very well could have driven right over the top of it. The Blue Ridge Parkway run right over the top of it. (Fun fact) Oh and the Appalachian Trail runs across the top of it too. Thanks for stopping by and checking this video out Justin! ~RVA~
I went to Ape Cave once and had so many panic attacks inside it. I felt so trapped. It was a horrible but cool experience at the same time. Never doing that again though lol
It was more of a fear that I was working through in real life while vlogging. It was much easier the 2nd time I went and when I went with other people, talking to them distracted my fear. But going solo you don't have those same distractions. ~RVA~
Thank you Hiker Girl - From Hiker Guy. I love your video!
You are very welcome. So happy to hear you enjoyed this one. I have about 150 other videos on my channel that may interest you. Most are from Virginia and the surrounding states. ~RVA~
Been looking for something different to try, and I definitely think this is it! Thanks for sharing, I just may do this hike tomorrow!
Then this is the hike for you because it's for sure different and unique. You are very welcome! Let me know what you think after you get there! ~RVA~
That is super cool! I’ve got to visit this one.
Definitely!
If you think that’s a long tunnel, you should go hike the Paw Paw Tunnel on the C&O Canal Towpath. It’s over 3000 feet long!
This is longer than the Paw Paw Tunnel. 4,237 feet long
Yay!!! Thank you for posting!!!♡
Hey Bex! This is one to check out if you get up this way!
I love this video! Thanks so much for sharing!
👏🏻Yeah! So glad! Thanks for watching & checking out my VA hiking channel!
Thank you I really enjoyed your documentary.
Awesome, can’t wait to visit.
Bobbye! Let me know when you come up. There are lots of great hikes not far from here. This one will take you no time since it's only 2.25 miles round trip.
This was amazing RVA ,my sort of hike loved it.stay safe debsxx
Ahh one of my favs this one. So unique! My fear unfolds during this one. Just always keep it real out there no matter what kind of hike that I am on. Thanks Deb for checking this one out. ~RVA~
@@RVAHikerGirl Il be checking more,after what you did for tea,your a lovely person.stay safe debs.
This is great! Got tunnels like this near Tahoe, love em!
That's cool! This is the only one in VA that I know of - when it was built it was the longest in the US. That didn't last for long. I know there's the Paw Paw in Maryland (shorter) and one someone told me about 1 in Kentucky. But I don't think there are too many of these on the east coast. Appreciate the watch! Thanks for your support.
Great job Hiker Girl! I can do tunnels but mines and caves are a different story...
Thanks so much! I haven't tried a cave yet, but I would like too. Just maybe not too far in... LOL
That was really cool! Great video
Thanks Gray! Glad you enjoyed it. Lots of great history I found on the tunnel after I hiked it, too. Come back anytime! I have almost 150 videos up on my channel and of tons of hikes across the state. ~RVA~
I like a tunnel like that. Maybe a bit creepy, but I'm quite sure that mountain is not going to fall on your head! 😁 It would be more fun if you could walk one way through the tunnel and the other way over the mountain back to the car! 😁 Thanks for sharing! Have a great day! Kaat
Oh, that's a fantastic idea! But I do know 2 roads run over the top of if so that could pose a challenge I guess. The Appalachian Trail runs across the top of it too! I'll have to take that question to the foundation that is in charge of the trail. Your the best!
I went to this tunnel this morning and I enjoyed it! I need to go back to record a vlog on my youtube page soon!
Hey Brandon! Thanks for stopping by my hiking channel. I love this tunnel so much and especially all the history I found out about after I hiked it. Happy vlogging!
You want a really creepy tunnel? Try the Paw Paw tunnel on the C&O Canal. Nice to see this one opened up again, last time I was there it was sealed up.
The Paw Paw has been on my list for a while. There's been a lot of construction and restoration going on there, so I have put that one off for a little bit. This one is about a 1,000 ft longer than the Paw Paw. But I love them all. They are each unique with their own history, look, and feel. Thanks for stopping by the channel Paul. ~RVA~
@@RVAHikerGirl Another trip to add to your list, The Greenbrier River Trail. Runs from Cass West Virginia 85 or so miles down stream, great bicycle trip. Has a tunnel and trestles.
@@paulhare662 That sounds fantastic! Thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks for sharing.. Thats alot of mountain overhead. I will definitely need to have a discussion with myself when I do this one🙄. Cool history for us though.
Sidenote: those leggings! Love them❤
Hi Monica! Yes it is a lot of mountain above. And Insterstate 64, Skyline Drive and the Appalachian Trail all run over the top of it too! So cool right? I'm a huge history buff so for me this feeds my love of VA history and my love of the outdoors. They are literally the most comfortable leggings I think I have ever put on. The pattern is called rainbow trout. I love that Montana owner designs her patterns on real things in nature.
@@RVAHikerGirl I didn't realize those ran over. I have to get out there. And I'm going to check out those leggings. I like the business model.
@@monicadavis4723 Yes and it's a woman owned business as well which makes it even better! Love supporting other women in the outdoors. They even have blankets, fanny packets, and neck gaiters in the same patterns as the leggings. I never want to take mine off they are so comfy!
That’s so cool. I’ve never hiked a tunnel before. 🦑
It was my 1st time too. Being an almost 1 mile tunnel under a mountain rich with history and now a trail is so incredibly cool!
Wow!
Very cool hike to walk through those dark tunnels! Cheers
Thanks a bunch! I loved it! Can't wait to go back again!
@@RVAHikerGirl Looks like an excellent place to check out the next time we are in the area.
@@MetroOnTheMove you are so right!
Wow! Never even known this!
Love sharing great places all around VA with others so they can check them out sometime.
Can’t wait.
Let me know how you like it.
Thanks for the video!
You are very welcome! Thank you for checking it out!
Just found your channel, subscribed!
Welcome to my CZcams family! Very happy to have you a part of the channel. I have almost 150 videos, so feel free to watch a way, LOL! If you ever have any questions about any of these hikes, trips or gear just let me know. Always happy to help. ~RVA~
That hike is now high on my list!!
Its one of VA's most unique hikes for sure. And the history I learned after hiking it made me love it that much more!
looks like such a fun hike definitely putting it on my bucket list. A future CZcams video for me for sure if anybody likes outdoorsy videos u should check it out
Thank you Grace Ellen. So happy you stopped by. I have almost 150 videos on my CZcams channel so if you liked this one, I bet you would be able to find more that may interest you. Happy New Year to you! ~RVA~
That tunnel was shut down in 1944 because of increased train traffic for WW2 and a new tunnel was built 50 feet away from the old tunnel and could take more train traffic and was more modern and had more modern safety features and was less worn down by time and at 1:41 you could see the train tracks of the new line and those tracks go to the same place the old ones did
Yes I have learned so much about it since I hiked it. Including all the people who died in the building of it and even a girl who died falling off of the train while it was going through the tunnel. The new tunnel was built for larger trains to be able to go through. It is quite a marvel for its time.
I worked in Crozet back in the 80s and I remember everything but the fore mentioned hike So a factory or two a mill and a car lot plus Del Monte
You weren't allowed to hike in the tunnel back then. Its been closed off for 60 years. It just opened in 2020. Not sure what your second comment means tho, LOL! ~RVA~
@@RVAHikerGirl There was a factory that handled a lot of frozen food back in the 70s&80 s. I can’t be positive but I think it was Mortens Frozen Foods! My father was a truck driver and I remember him bringing home pot pies
@@robertharing7031 Ahh ok makes sense now. Love my childhood memories of growing up on a farm in VA myself. Thanks a bunch Robert for checking out my video. ~RVA~
Great video thank you for sharing. I subbed so I can check on your adventures as they happen!
Welcome to the channel! Happy to have you! Appreciate the sub and leaving a comment Steve!
Amazing!!
Thank you Walter! This is such a fun gem in Central Virginia. ~RVA~
Makes the inverted Tower of the Knights Templar look like a walk in the park... Have you seen that one? It's in Portugal... Of course there are videos
I haven’t but now I’m curious and I’m going to go look it up. Thanks for stopping by and checking out this video. ~RVA~
I sure can see how this would be a bit scary, you did great.
Aww sucks, thanks a bunch!
Good heads up about the parking situation cuz other videos didn't bother to mention... My fantasy would be to burn some incense... Specifically chaga... the place could use some healing
Lots of history with this tunnel. Lots of Irish Immigrants and slaves died in the the construction. Even a passenger fell off the train abs died in the tunnel after construction was complete. Def could use some healing. ~RVA~
Hi there , just subbed also , great video on this channel , I am a big metal detecting fool , would love to hit the surrounding areas , cheers 🍻
Thank you for the sub and welcome to my CZcams family. Very happy to have you a part of my channel. A cool fact the AT runs right over the top of this tunnel as well as Skyline Drive. Def this is one of my fav most unique VA hikes. I need to go back. I bet you could find some cool stuff for sure around there with your metal detector. ~RVA~
@@RVAHikerGirl there is a good documentary video (kinda long) but worth watching , how they built the tunnel , how men died there as well
@@davidsawmandave8731 Yep, I researched it a lot after I hiked it. Lots of Irish Immigrants died in the construction of it. A girl fell from a train going through it in a state of confusion. Lots of history that's for sure.
Cool tunnel
Thank you, It's one of my fav unique hikes in the state to go explore. Appreciate you stopping by my channel and watching.
Awesome video
Thanks Kathy!
How many hour hike is it from start to finish?
It's only 2.25 miles out and back so not even an hour if you were trying to do it quickly or longer if you wanted to take your time to explore the tunnel. Hope that helps.
do you have to turn around and walk back through? Or does it circle around?
Yes it’s and out and back trail. There’s no way to loop around unless you walk back on Skyline Drive.
Why do they have a fence all the way down the side ? What about wildlife trying to get around ?
The fence runs along that stretch to keep ppl off the active railroad tracks. They built a new tunnel adjacent for larger trains and this tunnel was no longer used after 1940. Wildlife can go over the mountain or though the tunnel if they want too.
Amtrak’s “Cardinal Route” East and Westbound Passenger Train passes through the adjacent tunnel 3 days a week (Wed., Fri. & Sun). Eastbound between 2 and 3PM. The westbound Train schedule in nearly the same. (Amtrak service is not always on time; although a live map on the web identifies Train locations.) CSX Transportation owns the right-of-way that carries its Freight Trains. In order to monitor freight traffic- a handheld “scanner radio” is used... The fence is designed to restrict entry into an unsafe location on an active Railroad. Additionally, CSX does take trespassing very seriously.
Enjoy the 19th c. Train Tunnel designed by Crozet, which is now a wonderful protected pathway away from Trains open to the public.
@@davidleopold4219 Thanks for the awesome track information!
How do I get to it? I live in Northern VA.
How come you don't see people testing out the echo? Is there a sign posted... no Echo testing?
LOL! You can and people do. Especially the kids.
Wow, the water adds to the scare factor. Good for you for facing a fear.
It does! Especially when I have heard that over the years (before it opened to the public) people have bushwhacked down there to go explore it and it was filled with water and they couldn't go in. So glad I went! It was so much fun!
How are they keeping the tunnel from flooding? It seems extremely wet and muddy.
Not 100% sure. There are channels on both sides of the trail thru the tunnel that all the water drains off into. I would think that with a long period of heavy rain, it could cover parts of the trail in the tunnel though. It wasn't really wet or muddy. Just that little part at the beginning with the water dripping. I just walked around it. The trail was dry throughout the entire trail. Hope that helps.
HI Marianna T, When I visited the East entrance 10 years ago it was completely flooded. Part of the restoration of the tunnel was to get that entrance to drain properly eastward. Culverts were installed, sending the water down the mountain not far from the entrance. Beyond the entrance, the center of the tunnel is higher than the ends, causing it to self-drain.
It is also haunted I hear
I did it solo and I didn't hear or see any ghosts lol. I do know of an 18yr old girl that stepped off a train when it was going through the tunnel and died and during the construction of the tunnerl 15 people died.
It's funny how I never think of all that real estate over me when I go caving.
Ha Ha that is funny!
I see this is already on Google maps, but no info on length, and no photos or reviews yet.
2.25 miles out and back, no elevation gain or loss it’s flat the whole way. No one has made an All Trails recording of it yet since it’s a brand new trail.
A lot of Irish rail workers died making the tunnel.
Yes, they did, along with 2 African American slaves and a girl died stepping off the train while in the tunnel in confusion with all the smoke filling the train car. Lots of incredible history of this tunnel and this area. After making this video I researched so much of it. Really enjoyed learning about it. ~RVA~
How about the hypogeum on the Isle of Malta?
I've never been to Malta but I have definitely heard of that place. Definitely much older than this train tunnel.
@@RVAHikerGirl yes I've only visited in videos... The stories are horrifying but when you actually see it it doesn't look so bad... In the video... The Acoustics are fantastic is Apparently one of the main points
I want to go hiking with you.
Your sweet! I am usually pretty careful when I am hiking solo and meeting up with others. Kinda of a safety thing as I am sure you can understand.
@@RVAHikerGirl I was thinking out loud not really a proposal. 😆But I do live in VA. Cheers.
@@757Watson Ha Ha, I get asked all the time on my Insta and YT so its some times hard to tell. Much appreciated that you would want to. Thanks as always for your support on this channel. ~RVA~
Thank you for posting a very informative video that showcases a destination in Virginia that many intend to visit. The Tunnel’s tangent appears to be completely straight rather than be curved at all. That said, are you able to see at least a glint of light emanating from both (east and west) Tunnel entrances at all times while walking inside the Tunnel? Did passing cyclists pose any danger to those on-foot from being unintentionally struck by a handlebar? Did you notice anyone assigned to monitor at least one of the Trailheads to ensure proper behavior? I noticed historical signage on the approach to the Tunnel. Do you feel that a visitor would have a comprehensive historical understanding of the Tunnel if they had read the combined information posted only during a visit rather than read all information available before visiting?
Hi David, the tunnel is curved, so at times you can see neither end. I encourage you to look at google maps where the Skyline Drive meets the Blue Ridge Parkway and Rt 250 and I-64. When you zoom in, you can see the tunnel path. Also there are photos of the posted information. As with all travel, the more you know before leaving the house, the more you will learn. Books have been written about Mr. Crozet and the tunnel.
I also wondered about safety. There is two way walkers and bike riders and often running water on one side. Absolutely bring a flashlight. I avoid busy times and have not seen any monitoring. Hope this helps. 🙂
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Tons of ppl ride bikes, walk their dogs, push family in wheelchairs. You just can't beat this trail!
@@RVAHikerGirl Thank you!
Too dark baby lol
Can you walk and show us the trail at the same time? We clicked on here to see the TRAIL!!
RUDE! I am a vlogger and video creator. I vlog MY experience on trails. If you don't like it, DON"T WATCH IT! No need to leave nasty comments. Move on!