established in 2019

After taking our family to ride the Virginia Creeper Trail multiple times over the past ten years, we wanted a vacation spot large enough for our whole family and a place that we could share with others. We have fallen in love with Damascus and all that this great little town and the surrounding area have to offer. We now get to share it with you!

A Step Away Cottage is a short-term rental cottage located in downtown Damascus, Virginia. Damascus is known as Trail Town USA. The Appalachian Trail cuts straight through the middle of downtown and the sidewalk in front of the cottage is the Appalachian Trail, marked by the white blazes as you walk past the house. Damascus gets its name Trail Town USA from the nine trails that cross through downtown Damascus, including the Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail, the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, the Crooked Road Music Trail and the Iron Mountain Trail. Damascus is also close to the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area with over 400 miles of hiking trails.

A block and a half behind the cottage is the Virginia Creeper Trail, a world-class bike trail that is part of the Rails to Trails Hall of Fame, recognizing exemplary rail-trails around the country. The Virginia Creeper travels 34 miles from the top of Whitetop Mountain to downtown Abingdon, Virginia. Damascus is right smack in the middle and a perfect place to enjoy the trail and relax at the end of the day. Damascus offers several bike rental and shuttle companies that run shuttles year-round to the top of The Virginia Creeper Trail at Whitetop. You can also take a shuttle to Abingdon, VA and bike back to Damascus. A popular day trip is to take the shuttle to Whitetop and ride the 17 miles downhill to downtown Damascus. You pass through beautiful scenery with waterfalls and places to stop along the way that include several historical sites.

Damascus is also home to many other outdoor activities, such as fly fishing, bird watching, kayaking, festivals, and horseback riding. If you want to rest after your time on the trails with some shopping and great food, Damascus has that too! You can also enjoy a daytime adventure or night out on the town in historic Abingdon, Virginia that is just a short 15 minute drive down the road.

We look forward to your stay with us to enjoy the cottage and all that Damascus and the surrounding area have to offer!