Riverwalk Trail, Danville, VA

Directions to the trail are excellent. Once you get to the parking lot in front of the Danville Community Center, you cross a trestle bridge to the other side of the river and take your bike down a ramp to the river. If you turn right at the foot of the bridge, the trail goes through an industrial area which isn’t the most scenic, but even considering this, the river is still gorgeous. That direction only goes about a mile anyway. But…if you come off the bridge and go left, you’ll experience one of the most scenic rail trails around. I’ve ridden quite a few, and this one is near the top of my list. The first portion of this leg of the trail follows the river, and the city of Danville has put a lot of effort into making it beautiful and enjoyable. There are numerous benches, picnic tables, and pull off areas to enjoy the flowing river, the trees, green grass and geese. About 3 miles along the river you come to a park with a public boat landing. To get a more strenuous ride, cross the parking lot to your right near the picnic pavilion and start up the hill. From this point, the trail inclines about 2 or 3 more miles, but it’s worth the effort. This leg of the trail is just as beautiful as the river ride. Toward the end of this leg of the ride, you’ll cross one road at the intersection of Slayton and Stinson Steets. The trail only goes a short distance past this point. (This is as of April, 2011. I understand they plan to extend the trail in the future). Turn around and ride back down the mountain. It’s fast and fun, and then you can enjoy the river again as you head back to your car. I highly recommend this ride. I try to find a rail trail anytime I’m traveling, and I’m certainly glad I tried this one.

Wow! My family spent the afternoon biking the trail yesterday and were amazed at the beautiful scenery. We parked at Dan Daniel Park and rode all afternoon. It was very beautiful and I was amazed at how well it was laid out and there were places to stop along the way. There were parks, bathrooms, restaurants, historic sites, old bridges, waterfalls and an easy trail to ride! Very scenic. Be sure and bring your camera! This is a real jewel for Danville. We will be coming back soon!!

My wife and I rode the trail today and we were just blown away with the great condition of the trail and how beautiful the scenery is along the Dan River. Lots of waterfowl including geese, ducks and blue heron were easily observed in several locations. In the more wooded areas toward Angler's Park there were numerous native songbirds filling the afternoon air with melodies blending beautifully with the sound of water rushing over the rocks in the river. Several restuarants are easily accessible from the trail on the western end past the dam overlook at Union Street. We dined in one of the restaurants, but taking a picnic would be an attractive option with numerous picnic tables located all along the trail. The trail is paved and easy riding for even the most novice bikers so take the entire family and have a great day.
Jim Walton Stonveille NC

Well, I have to say that I was disappointed with this trail. I guess I had high hopes because it was along the river but it was surrounded by factories and businesses and just wasn't very pretty. It seemed prettier when we rode south of Dan Daniels park but then we came upon a sewage plant that was awful and made us turn back and give up on this trail.

This is really becoming a nice trail as the city, it seems, is always adding just a little more distance. There is now more like eight miles completed. You can go from dowtown Danville almost all the way to the airport now. The last couple of miles towards the airport have some pretty serious climbs. The city is now working on extending the trail on the dowtown side. At the dowtown terminus there is a science museum as well as a beautiful ampitheatre where some good warm weather concerts take place. In addition to the paved portion of the trail, there are several mountain bike trails.

Rick Banks

11/29/08 Nice trail The upriver part of the trail actually starts behind a Realty Office just west of the Holiday Inn Express. Lots of parking availble behind the businesses. Also the Super 8 motel is a good place to stay just upriver from there. Bob

A friend and I recently walked the whole length of the trail both directions as part of a volksmarch. It is really a pleasant place to walk. We enjoyed being able to see the water birds on the river and know that we were walking part of a rails-to-trail. Thanks for getting this ready for the public.