James River Heritage Trail:
Virginia
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Description:
The James River Heritage Trail is one of the premier urban trails in the state, passing through lush forestland as well as the heart of historic, industrial downtown Lynchburg. It also offers multiple easy connections to other trails along the way, and it is well-marked with trail and mileage signs.
The trail begins at the impressively maintained Blackwater Creek Bikeway trailhead, which has a pleasant garden and immaculate facilities. From here, the trail follows an old railroad grade through the Blackwater Creek Natural Area; the first 3-mile section of the trail is called Blackwater Creek Bikeway.
As you descend into the forested canyon that has been carved out by the creek, you will reach a trail junction for the 1.3-mile Kemper Street Station Trail to the south and the 1.7-mile Point of Honor Trail to the north. Both of these paved trails are considered part of the James River Heritage Trail system and are great side trips off the main track.
For the next mile, the trail swings toward downtown and becomes the Lynchburg Riverwalk before crossing a spectacular refurbished railroad bridge onto Percival's Island. The trail traverses the mile-long island before crossing a second former rail bridge to the eastern shore of the James River. It continues for another 2 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, and there are plans to extend this wonderful trail.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Blackwater Creek Bikeway trailhead from the Lynchburg Expressway, go north on Business US Hwy. 501, which becomes Langthorne Road. Be on the lookout for a quick right turn onto Old Langthorne 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.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Nice Easy Ride
By vabikergirl03 on July 07, 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 on May 26, 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 on November 30, 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
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Lynchburg (Old Langhorne Road) to Lynchburg (Fertilizer Road)
Counties: Amherst, Lynchburg
Trail Length: 9.2 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6031297

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic rail-trails in RTC's Mid-Atlantic Guidebook.
Trail of the Month: June 2006