If you’re looking for a memorable little getaway, head to the town of Charlottesville, Virginia. It’s there where you can hop aboard the Amtrak Cardinal for a scenic ride through the mountains as the train heads west. This mountain train ride in Virginia can take you all the way to West Virginia and beyond! Whether you’re riding for a few quick stops or taking a lengthier trip, you’re sure to remember this beautiful train ride through the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Here’s what’s in store aboard this mountain train in Virginia:
The Cardinal is a long-distance passenger train operated by Amtrak that runs between New York’s Penn Station and Chicago’s Union Station. Conveniently, one of the most scenic stretches occurs in the mountains of Virginia.
Bob Mical/flickr
Passengers can start their journey in the lovely town of Charlottesville. Scheduled vary, but the Cardinal generally leaves the station in the early afternoon, so be sure to grab something to eat for lunch while you’re in town.
jpmueller99/Wikimedia Commons If you’re wondering where to go for a quick and delicious lunch while you’re in Charlottesville, click here.
Once you’ve settled into your seat, you can relax and begin to admire the views as the train heads westward and straight for the mountains. As the train climbs over Afton Mountain, be sure to take in the exquisite mountain views.
Cardinal - Amtrak/Facebook
The Cardinal will pass through the scenic town of Crozet and you may catch a glimpse of a few Virginia vineyards along the way.
Cardinal - Amtrak/Facebook
The next stop is the historic town of Staunton. Resting at an altitude of 1,400 feet, this mountain town in Virginia is known for its colorful buildings and historic architecture.
Cardinal - Amtrak/Facebook
Anyone who wishes to hop off the train here can do so, as Staunton makes for a wonderful place for dinner or an overnight stay.
The West End/flickr If you’re looking for a delicious place to eat while you’re in Staunton, click here.
For passengers who wish to continue onward, there’s even more spectacular scenery that awaits. Clifton Forge is the next station serviced by the Cardinal. It’s here where many stop to visit the town of Hot Springs, Virginia, and its famous Homestead Resort.
The West End/flickr
As the train continues onward along its tracks, sweeping views of the Allegheny Mountains and unique rock faces of western Virginia become apparent.
Cardinal - Amtrak/Facebook
Before you know it, you’ll have reached the state border between Virginia and West Virginia, a tunnel carved right through the mountain.
railsr4me/flickr
On the other side awaits our gorgeous neighbor to the west, and a continuity of the gorgeous mountain range.
Wikipedia
White Sulphur Springs is the next stop along the route, and a convenient ending point for those who don’t wish to travel too far out of state.
Adam Moss/flickr Nearby is the famous Greenbrier Hotel, a winsome overnight accommodation just a few miles away from Virginia’s border.
The route aboard this mountain train in Virginia runs from Charlottesville to White Sulphur Springs, and will take approximately 3 1/2 hours, depending on the train’s schedule. For ticketing information and to learn more about the Amtrak-Cardinal route as it extends beyond Virginia, visit Amtrak.com.
Bob Mical/flickr
jpmueller99/Wikimedia Commons
If you’re wondering where to go for a quick and delicious lunch while you’re in Charlottesville, click here.
Cardinal - Amtrak/Facebook
The West End/flickr
If you’re looking for a delicious place to eat while you’re in Staunton, click here.
railsr4me/flickr
Wikipedia
Adam Moss/flickr
Nearby is the famous Greenbrier Hotel, a winsome overnight accommodation just a few miles away from Virginia’s border.
If you’re into railroad excursions, you’ll definitely want to check out these five train day trips in Virginia. All aboard!
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Address: Charlottesville, 810 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
mountain train in Virginia June 09, 2021 Sarah What are some fun train trips I can take in Virginia? If you enjoyed the above mountain train excursion in Virginia, you’ll definitely want to check out these five incredible train day trips! The Amtrak route to Fredericksburg is a memorable one; the train journeys over the Rappahannock, into this historic town which still has a trace of its Colonial roots. Of course, there’s nothing like a train trip to Richmond, Virginia. While Richmond is a frequently-visited day trip location, not many people arrive to the state’s capital by train. Richmond has two train stations, and the Main Street historic station will give you a glimpse into some exquisite architecture. Built in 1901, the Main Street Station is in the heart of downtown and makes a great stop for any travelers who’d like a taste of Richmond’s famous dining scene. Is Virginia a good place to go for a train ride? To really revel in Virginia’s beauty, you can’t beat the scenic views aboard a train. A train ride offers visitors the unique experience of sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the view. Some of the most popular train trips in Virginia include Amtrak’s Northeast Regional Train, which has daily trips to Virginia Beach; the James River Rambler to the heart of Virginia; and, of course, the Buckingham Branch Autumn Leaf Rambler, a special fall excursion that departs from Dillwyn Station and offers passengers the chance to admire the surrounding fall foliage – and trust us, you’ll be positively enchanted on this autumn excursion! Are there any railroad hikes in Virginia? To experience the rails from a different perspective, lace up your hiking boots and head out to the Powell River Trail, a picturesque, 2.4-mile trek that offers hikers the chance to explore a former railway route. The Powell River Trail was once used by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (commonly referred to as the L&N). Hikers can enjoy the unique experience of walking through various former train tunnels!
The OIYS Visitor Center
mountain train in Virginia
June 09, 2021
Sarah
What are some fun train trips I can take in Virginia? If you enjoyed the above mountain train excursion in Virginia, you’ll definitely want to check out these five incredible train day trips! The Amtrak route to Fredericksburg is a memorable one; the train journeys over the Rappahannock, into this historic town which still has a trace of its Colonial roots. Of course, there’s nothing like a train trip to Richmond, Virginia. While Richmond is a frequently-visited day trip location, not many people arrive to the state’s capital by train. Richmond has two train stations, and the Main Street historic station will give you a glimpse into some exquisite architecture. Built in 1901, the Main Street Station is in the heart of downtown and makes a great stop for any travelers who’d like a taste of Richmond’s famous dining scene. Is Virginia a good place to go for a train ride? To really revel in Virginia’s beauty, you can’t beat the scenic views aboard a train. A train ride offers visitors the unique experience of sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the view. Some of the most popular train trips in Virginia include Amtrak’s Northeast Regional Train, which has daily trips to Virginia Beach; the James River Rambler to the heart of Virginia; and, of course, the Buckingham Branch Autumn Leaf Rambler, a special fall excursion that departs from Dillwyn Station and offers passengers the chance to admire the surrounding fall foliage – and trust us, you’ll be positively enchanted on this autumn excursion! Are there any railroad hikes in Virginia? To experience the rails from a different perspective, lace up your hiking boots and head out to the Powell River Trail, a picturesque, 2.4-mile trek that offers hikers the chance to explore a former railway route. The Powell River Trail was once used by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (commonly referred to as the L&N). Hikers can enjoy the unique experience of walking through various former train tunnels!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you enjoyed the above mountain train excursion in Virginia, you’ll definitely want to check out these five incredible train day trips! The Amtrak route to Fredericksburg is a memorable one; the train journeys over the Rappahannock, into this historic town which still has a trace of its Colonial roots. Of course, there’s nothing like a train trip to Richmond, Virginia. While Richmond is a frequently-visited day trip location, not many people arrive to the state’s capital by train. Richmond has two train stations, and the Main Street historic station will give you a glimpse into some exquisite architecture. Built in 1901, the Main Street Station is in the heart of downtown and makes a great stop for any travelers who’d like a taste of Richmond’s famous dining scene.
Is Virginia a good place to go for a train ride?
To really revel in Virginia’s beauty, you can’t beat the scenic views aboard a train. A train ride offers visitors the unique experience of sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the view. Some of the most popular train trips in Virginia include Amtrak’s Northeast Regional Train, which has daily trips to Virginia Beach; the James River Rambler to the heart of Virginia; and, of course, the Buckingham Branch Autumn Leaf Rambler, a special fall excursion that departs from Dillwyn Station and offers passengers the chance to admire the surrounding fall foliage – and trust us, you’ll be positively enchanted on this autumn excursion!
Are there any railroad hikes in Virginia?
To experience the rails from a different perspective, lace up your hiking boots and head out to the Powell River Trail, a picturesque, 2.4-mile trek that offers hikers the chance to explore a former railway route. The Powell River Trail was once used by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (commonly referred to as the L&N). Hikers can enjoy the unique experience of walking through various former train tunnels!
