Find the top rated hiking trails in East Highland Park, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We only had one day to ride so rode from the Herring Creek trailhead to Jamestown and then back. We found the trail to be what most have stated previously. Signage was great, the asphalt trail was in great shape and it was not very crowded (we rode on Thursday). As other have stated there are not many facilities so pack food and water. Yes, there were some hills on that section but nothing crazy in our opinion. We gave it an "A". Would have been A+ if there had been even some port-a-johns here and there.
As stated in the last review, you cannot enter any circumstances ride the Amtrak train back to Richmond from Williamsburg with E bikes! While indeed, my wife and I managed to do that we will clearly be the last people to ever be allowed to do so. To say that it was a nightmare is a huge understatement. We expect to be inducted into the Virginia railroad museum Hall of Fame in the future as the only couple to ever ride the Virginia Trail and return with E bikes on a train. Of this, we are very proud and glad to be trendsetter such as those that sat down at the sit in the 60s in the 70s for equal rights.
As others have said - this trail is very bumpy. Much of the trail still has railroad ties going across it. I did on a touring bike and even deflated the tires partway into the trail. I still called it after 8 miles. Just not much fun. Hope they will improve it a bit sometime because I lived the countryside and overhanging tree branches etc. Really beautiful. Good walking trail or mountain bikes.
I give it 5 stars because it is over the whole way. I rode Williamsburg to Richmond. There are very little roots coming through the pavement which is a positive Shaded for the first 30 plus miles. Plenty of parking in Williamsburg and Richmond. I missed one turn. One nice rest stop about 10 miles from Richmond I live in Chesapeake Virginia and this was very hilly for me. Constant up and down. The negatives are the lack of benches to sit. I counted 3 of them for about 40 plus miles. There was also a lack of stores. Bring you own hydration. The
Wonderful paved trail where I bike and lead rides for our local trail club. Great for all level of bicyclists as its mostly flat on the Jamestown end. Led a group of 10 recently for 36 miles and had lunch at the Jamestown Settlement. It is shaded in the summer. It is one of my favorite paved trail to ride. It is also part of the Trans American Trail for going cross the country.
Sandy
Four of us ONLY rode this trail between rte 605 (Western End Trailhead Parking) eastbound to rte 609 (crossing/Trailhead Parking) and return. Found many exposed tree roots, hazardous rusting railroad tracks, perpendicular decaying railroad ties and loose gravel resulting in a very bumpy and stressful ride. (With proper funding, this trail has enormous potential). Considering this Rails to Trail’s current condition, I would not use a road bike or trike and would be very cautious with a hybrid . I’d highly suggest a mountain bike with front fork suspension on Dahlgren Trail, considering it’s current condition! It’s has the potential to be an awesome 15+ mile Rail Trail!
I started midway and headed east. The detour puts you out behind the church (2 miles before the Sheets endpoint) and then you're on your own. I went to the main road then took a right back towards where the trail was and never found it. I thought the Karoo was confused because of the detour. If I could zoom out on the karoo I'd have seen the route turns at the gate behind the church. Just check the map for this detail before embarking. the bumps aren't as bad as I was lead to believe, actually below standard bumpiness. The gravel is pea gravel, a bit thick in stretches so it slows you a bit. 2 deer 2 blue herons, 1 box turtle in 18 miles round trip.
No bikes or horses allowed, roots would make wheelchair mostly impossible
Approx 3/4 of the trail has views of the lake, beautiful sunset views! Way too many roots for a wheelchair.
As others have said - variable surface, smooth to pretty rough. I rode 12+12 from the west end on a bike w/ 40 mm tires, but no suspension. If you have a bike w/ suspension (at least on front), use it.
And within the first 1/2 mile the path crosses the tracks (and the surface changes from smooth bluestone to sloped loose gravel) - that caught me by surprise.
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