TrailLink :: New River Trail State Park

New River Trail State Park:
Virginia

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Description:

Southern Virginia's New River Trail is one of America's premier rail-trails and has been designated as an official National Recreation Trail by the US Department of the Interior. It is also a state park. The highlight and namesake of this magnificent trail is the 36-mile section running through Grayson, Carroll, Wythe, and Pulaski counties along the New River, the oldest river in the US. In 1986, the Norfolk and Southern Railroad donated this old railroad corridor, which originally served to supply the once expanding iron industry to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The best place to start a trip along this trail is at its southern terminus in Galax. Note that from this direction, the mileage markers count down beginning at the 57-mile marker. A large part of the trail is uphill if you start at the northern terminus at Dora Junction along Interstate 81. The Galax trailhead, which features an old red caboose, has plenty of parking. From here, you follow Chestnut Creek along the 12-mile Galax to Fries Junction section. At mile marker 38, you'll encounter the beautiful Fries Junction trestle bridge crossing the New River. Just across the bridge, you have the option of taking a pleasant excursion to Fries, a 12-mile round trip. This 6-mile spur is included in the trail's 57-mile total length. The remaining 39 miles proceeds north along the peacefully flowing New River as it runs through Cripple Creek Junction, Foster Falls, and Allisonia. The trail is isolated for much of this journey, so if you are on this stretch, be sure to carry all necessary supplies in case of an emergency or quick bike repair. Along the way, you'll see many railroading highlights, including cavernous tunnels, steep dams, and trestle bridges-including the impressive 950-foot Hiawassee trestle around mile marker 8. The trail finally concludes at Dora Junction, near the town of Pulaski, where you will be able to find all your post-trail amenities.

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Parking & Trail Access:

To the Galax trailhead, take Interstate 77 to the US Hwy. 221/US Hwy. 58 exit (exit 14) toward Hillsville/Galax. The trailhead is located on the right, where Route 58 crosses Chestnut Creek. To reach the Dora Junction trailhead in Pulaski from Interstate 81, take VA Route 99 west for 2 miles toward Xaloy. Turn right on Xaloy Way and look for the trailhead on the right. You can also access the trail in Fries: Take Interstate 77 to the US Hwy. 221/US Hwy. 58 exit (exit 14) toward Hillsville/Galax. Turn right at Cliffview Road/VA Route 721 to Fries. Route 721 becomes Fries Road before crossing the New River. As you come into town, turn left on Dalton Road. The trailhead is at the bottom of the hill; the trail signs are impossible to miss. Parking is available near the town park on Riverview Ave.

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Reviews:

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NEW RIVER TRAIL SECTION CLOSED

By rickford on November 19, 2009

According to a news release form the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation:
The trail will be closed from mile marker 39.8 (Fries junction) to mile marker 42.3 (Gambetta Road) from now until May 1, 2010 to restore the tunnel on that section.

I spoke with a member of the trail maintainence staff and they actually hope to have the work done faster than that, but they wanted to use a safe estimate of May 1 on the completion date.

Rick Banks

Great experience!

By dsmsmith on October 25, 2009

We had heard the stretch from Galax to Fries was extraordinarily beautiful--and it was! We made plans to bike this stretch of the trail and stay in a nearby B&B to celebrate our anniversary. We selected The Doctor's Inn on the basis of information relayed in previous posts--it, too, was wonderful. The Inn is beautiful, cozy, and spotless! Brenda, the host, is truly delightful and could not be more accommodating. We give the trail and the Inn highest marks and plan to return another day!

Love this Trail

By rkinnc on October 09, 2009

I just spent two nights camping on this trail, riding out and back from the Millrace campground at Foster Falls and from Allisonia to Pulaski. I have always thought VA did a great job on their parks, and this beautiful stretch along the New River just shows how far ahead they are. By the way, please don't go here. What I meant to say is this place stinks! You have to camp along this beautiful, I mean ugly, stretch of the New River (New. HA! All the rock outcroppings and rapids- Come On. This river is old). The camping is primitive but there is water and firewood nearby. Very convenient to major roads and very well kept and attended. Damn, I mean its awfuly hard to find, and you'll just spend days lost in the woods. The people you meet on the trail are friendly....no they are thugs on motorcycles like Hells Angels. Please do not go here to camp, especially the last week of September-first week of October. That's when I....eh, that's when I've heard they have the most trouble with floods, tornados, and savage disease ridden beasts.

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Trail Facts

Trail End Points: Pulaski to Galax to Spur to Fries
Counties: Carroll, Grayson, Pulaski, Wythe
Trail Length: 57 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Walk, Horseback, Bicycle, Cross Country Ski, Mountain Bicycle, Fishing, Wheelchair