The U.S. state of Virginia is one of the original states in the United States of America. It is a state that is full of history as well as natural beauty. In the western region of the state is where you will find the town of Covington. The Jackson River passes through the town of Covington, and on the north side of Covington it where you will find the Jackson River Trail. What is the Jackson River Trail?
Some of you are saying, “Well, duh, it is a trail along the Jackson River.”
That is exactly right.
Some of you are saying, “That is nice. Sadly, it follows a river and not a railroad line. Therefore, I will not be having any happy trails along this trail.”
So what is the Jackson River Trail? Yes, it is a trail that follows the Jackson River, but many trails follow a river. What is special about the Jackson River Trail?
One of the oldest resorts in the United States of America is the Omni Homestead Resort in the small town of Hot Springs, Virginia. The resort is not only famous for its hot springs, but it is also home to a Championship Golf Course. In the heyday of railroading, passengers rode the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway to the resort. Today, the railroad no longer serves the station, but the railroad platform remains.
So what is special about the Jackson River Trail? The Jackson River Trail is a rail trail that mostly follows the route of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway between Covington to a point south of Hot Springs.
So, when hiking, or biking, on the Jackson River Trail, remember that you are hiking on railroad history. The south access point is just off of U.S. Route 220.
