ome enjoy an outing in the beautiful Southwestern Virginia mountains.  Located near Damascus, Virginia, the Bittersweet Retreat offers easy access to area attractions like the Virginia Creeper Trail, the Appalachian Trail, Trade, TN., Grayson Highlands State Park, Barter Theatre, Bristol International Raceway, and various museums located throughout the area.  Check out just a few of the festivals that happen in the area during the year. This area is full of natural wildlife habitats, left undeveloped and protected, where wildlife and birds live as nature intended. Click here for a map of the area.

Bird watching your hobby? Take a leisurely walk along the Virginia Creeper Trail and enjoy catching a glimpse of the many different birds in their natural setting. Listen quietly and you may hear the song of an elusive bird in the trees that shade the trail. You will probably see several different bird types, while just enjoying the front porch swing at the cabin.

Wildlife in the area ranges from Whitetail deer to chipmunks and beaver. You could possibly see black bear if you are quiet and patient enough. This area we call home, is also close to wilderness areas set aside by the National Park system like Mount Rogers NRC, Jefferson National Forest, and Cherokee National Forest.

Some of the best hunting in the area is within easy access of the cabin. Please check with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for licensing requirements before hunting in Virginia. For information on hunting in Tennessee, please contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

For the fishing enthusiast, including fly fishing, area streams are stocked with rainbow trout throughout the year and native trout also inhabit select streams. Match your fishing skills to the survival skills of the native trout. Special licenses and rules apply, so check with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries before fishing. To fish in Tennessee waters, please check with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for more information on Tennessee requirements. Come and stay with us while enjoying the fishing in the area.

Back to top

Just want to hike or bike? The Virginia Creeper Trail offers 33.4 miles of hiking or biking trail. It is a converted railroad bed that runs from Abingdon, Virginia to the North Carolina line. Forty seven trestles are located on the trail, all with wonderful views of the creek and rock formations. The trail is well maintained by volunteer groups and the Mount Rogers National Recreation area and offers such a variety landscapes and plant life you will find yourself wanting to find out what you will see around the next bend. Access to the Creeper Trail is located within a mile of the cabin. The Creeper Trail is also open to horseback riding. Horse rentals are available in the area also. For hiking try a trek into Gentry Creek Falls. Follow this trail   2 1/2 miles to the end where you will find two 30 to 40 foot waterfalls at the end of the trail. Be sure and see Backbone Rock while you are in Damascus. This wonder is a man made rock underpass that was cut out for trains to run from Damascus to Shady Valley, TN. Where else can you hike in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee in one day? At the end of the hike, wade in Laurel Creek to cool those tired feet.

Don't have a bike? Damascus and Abingdon both have bike rental businesses, most with shuttle service to the top, for an easy leisurely ride back down. If you wish to ride the whole trail, even though you are in the mountains, the steepest grade is  7% from Green Cove to White Top Station.

How about horseback riding or even llama trekking? Both are available in the area. Several stables offer horse rentals and a few offer llama trek packages.

You can shop in Damascus for biking and hiking clothing and equipment, antiques, and other quaint shops that offer a variety of items for sale.

Like the theatre? Barter Theatre is located in Abingdon, just a short drive away. The Barter offers plays performed daily on one of two stages. There is always something good at Barter Theatre. Visit the Barter Theatre Web site to see what is playing.

While in Abingdon, visit the shops downtown for a shopping treat. The downtown shops have everything from antiques and stained glass to fine jewelry and just about anything else you could want. Visit Dixie pottery as well to find unique gift ideas or for home decorating ideas.

How about visiting a museum? Take the kids or just yourself to visit the various museums located in the area. If you like art, visit the William King Regional Arts Center. Interested in history? Try the Museum of the Middle Appalachians for a step back into the past beginning in pre-historic times to the civil war. Learn about fossils including a woolly mammoth that was excavated from the area. For the NASCAR fan, the Morgan McClure Race Museum is within an easy drive also.

Back to top

Rather just see a movie? Try the Abingdon Cinemall for the latest movies and one of the best sound systems in the country.

Food to sustain you can be found in Damascus. Various restaurants are located in the town. From fast food to a cafe' with internet access. Check out the Damascus web site for more information.

As you can see there are lots of things you can do in the area. Of course you can always just enjoy the peace and quiet of the country from the front porch swing at Bittersweet Retreat. Bring that book you have been wanting to read and enjoy the quiet setting while turning the pages. Call us for reservation information at 276-475-5863 or  email us.