James River Heritage Trail (Blackwater Creek Natural Area):
Virginia
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
The James River Heritage Trail in the Blackwater Creek Natural Area is one of the premier urban trails in the state, passing through lush forest as well as the heart of historic, industrial downtown Lynchburg. It offers multiple easy connections to other trails along the way and is well marked with trail and mileage signs.

The 9.5-mile trail is actually an interconnected system of shorter trails that each go by a different name: the Blackwater Creek Bikeway, the Point of Honor Trail, the Kemper Station Trail, the Riverwalk and the Percival's Island Trail.

The Blackwater Creek Bikeway begins at the Ed Page trailhead (nice facilities) on Old Langhorne Road. Take a minute to stroll through the pleasant Awareness Garden, dedicated to persons with cancer. From here, the trail follows an old railroad grade for 3 miles to Jefferson Street downtown, near where the creek flows into the James River. The trail traverses the Blackwater Creek Natural Area, and there are a few unpaved trails into the woods leading down a steep bank to the creek. Mountain bikes are permitted but should give way to foot traffic. The trails are clearly marked.

Shortly after you go under the railroad bridge, high above near mile 2, the trail branches off to the left (north) and becomes the Point of Honor Trail (1.75 miles long). To the right (south) you'll find the Kemper Station Trail, 1 mile long to the Kemper Street Station. To return to the main trail, you'll have to backtrack.

If you carry on the main Blackwater Creek Bikeway, you will go through the funky Hollins Tunnel, nearly 0.5 mile long. The tunnel bends but is well lit, and water seeps from the ceiling. If you take the Point of Honor Trail, you'll cross a spillway; use caution when water is flowing over top. If it's too high and fast, you can cross above at the road.

At mile 3 (3.75 if you take the Point of Honor Trail) the Blackwater Creek Bikeway meets up with the Riverwalk, a 1-mile segment along Jefferson Street's sidewalks to Washington Street. At Washington turn left (north), cross the tracks and continue on the trail, where it becomes the Percival's Island Trail. You will cross a spectacular refurbished railroad bridge onto the island. Stop at the overlook for views back up river toward downtown. The trail traverses the 1-mile-long island before crossing a second former rail bridge to the eastern shore of the James River. Back on the mainland the trail is surrounded by private property and signs warn you to keep to the trail to avoid trespassing.

The James River Heritage Trail continues for another 1.25 miles along the river's edge until its end less than a mile past the last trail access point located off of Fertilizer Road. When you reach the endpoint, the railroad corridor clearly continues but the trail becomes a dirt track that eventually crosses the river again after going under US 29, emerging onto Route 726/Mt Athos Road.

... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Blackwater Creek Bikeway trailhead from the Lynchburg Expressway, go north on Business US Hwy. 501, which becomes Langhorne Road. Be on the lookout for a quick right turn onto Old Langhorne Road; the trailhead is on the left.

To reach the Fertilizer Road trailhead from the Lynchburg Expressway, take VA Route 210 east to Fertilizer Road and turn right to follow it all the way the trailhead for parking.

You can hop on the James River Heritage Trail from many other places along its route. Drop by the Lynchburg Visitors Center (216 12th Street; 800-732-5821) for detailed maps of the trail system.

... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Nice Easy Ride
By vabikergirl03 in July, 2010
My husband and I spent a weekend in Lynchburg and rode this trail. It is an easy ride and offers views of the James River. We stayed at the Craddock Terry Hotel so we were able to join the trail from our hotel and didn't need to find any parking. There are a few hiking trails off of this trail to enjoy as well. There is a 1 mile bike trail to Kemper Railroad Station off this trail. Just so you know, it is mostly uphill but the ride back down was fast....The trails are very well marked and we would love to ride this again in the fall when the leaves have changed color.
Kemper St to River Walk
By BikerHerry in May, 2010
In April of 2010 we rode this trail. I chose the Kemper St. parking and trail head, thinking that it would be a good parking spot for an RV. But it wasn't. Thank goodness it was a Sunday, we parked in a gravel lot of some kind of business. There is parking at the Amtrak area, but not for an RV. The trail was very nice. It meets up with several other trails and there is a map at the junction of all the trails, which was very helpful. We chose to ride to what is called "River Walk" area which is being developed for retail and eatery. We rode back a different trail. All trails were tarmacked. Very beautiful area, a busy trail, but not congested. There is a plantation house near the trail that you could tour.
James River trail Lynchberg Vir
By Youker in November, 2008
The fertilizer road parking is behind the Virginia Training center on Rt 334 which takes you in a circle and the fertilizer dirt road to the parking lot on the river is not at all good. I would suggest skipping driving to that spot and bike a circle from the downtown parking by the island. Very nice trail but the signs are not good when you get down by the river in town. Bob
Browse Trails by Activity:
The second bridge which continues across the James River.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Old Langhorne Road to 0.5 mile east of Fertilizer Road
Counties: Amherst, Lynchburg
Trail Length: 9.5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Woodchips, Dirt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6031297

Related Links
Share this with a friend
Share   Email
 ... Click to read more
Guidebook: Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic rail-trails in RTC's Mid-Atlantic Guidebook.
Trail of the Month: June 2006
Find Hotels Near James River Heritage Trail (Blackwater Creek Natural Area)
Find Campgrounds
Find Bed & Breakfasts