Roanoke River Greenway

Virginia

4 Reviews

View Trail Map
View Map
Print
Complete
Favorite
Send to App

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Roanoke River Greenway Facts

States: Virginia
Counties: Roanoke
Length: 13.6 miles
Trail end points: Wise Ave SE (Roanoke) and W Riverside Dr (Salem)
Trail surfaces: Asphalt
Trail category: Greenway/Non-RT
ID: 6032600

Roanoke River Greenway Description

The Roanoke River Greenway will one day span 25 miles between Roanoke and Salem along its namesake waterway. Currently, much of the paved pathway is already in place and runs through a wide variety of settings from busy shopping and dining areas to quiet residential neighborhoods and well-loved parks.

On the eastern side of the trail, you'll traverse Roanoke's Piedmont Park, a small pocket of greenspace where you can stop and enjoy the river views. You'll find benches and a playground in the park.

Mid-trail, you'll reach the River's Edge Sports Complex with just about every facility for the athletically minded: baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and football and soccer fields. There are also restrooms and concessions available here.

West of the sports complex, Smith Park offers a bike repair station, playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, and a drinking fountain. Less than a mile farther, the larger Wasena Park offers athletic facilities and a skate park.

From Wasena Park, cross a 215-foot pedestrian bridge over the Roanoke River and you will enter Vic Thomas Park, which is notable for its public art and exercise equipment. The 16-acre park is named after a local politician who served in the state legislature for 30 years.

The continuous trail ends a little over a mile farther at a parking lot off Bridge Street SW, before picking up again farther west just outside of Salem after a gap. Within Salem, the trail offers access to Salem Park and Riverside Park. In the former, you'll find a rain garden, picnic tables, and benches. Riverside Park offers fishing access.

Just west of Riverside Park, the trail continues through the James I. Moyer Complex, named for a former mayor of Salem. This portion of the greenway has been designated the David Smith Trail. Northwest of the sports complex, the trail winds through Ted Weber Park, which offers a baseball field, restrooms, and a playground.

The trail continues about a mile farther, hugging the tree-lined river, to Riverside Drive. There are then a couple of short breaks in the trail before it ends in Green Hill Park, one of the largest parks in the county and a popular spot for fishing.

Parking and Trail Access

From east to west, parking along the Roanoke section of the trail is available in:

  • Piedmont Park (450 Riverview Rd. SE)
  • River's Edge Sports Complex (302 Wiley Dr. SW)
  • Smith Park (1618 Wiley Dr. SW)
  • Wasena Park (1101 Winchester Ave. SW)
  • Vic Thomas Park (1225 Midvale Ave. SW)

From east to west, parking along the Salem section of the trail is available in:

  • Salem Park (Route 419 near the intersection with Apperson Dr.)
  • Riverside Park (East Riverside Dr.)
  • James I. Moyer Sports Complex (1000 Union St.)
  • Ted Weber Park (Front Ave.)
  • Green Hill Park (2501 Parkside Dr.)

Roanoke River Greenway Reviews

We rode this a 2nd time and it is so nice. Love the artwork. You ride right by Black Dog Salvage. Mostly level, not crowded. You can see the STAR from trail.

We rode this a 2nd time and it is so nice. Love the artwork. You ride right by Black Dog Salvage. Mostly level, not crowded. You can see the STAR from trail.

Mostly level ride, beautiful artwork, poppy, lily flowers , containers along way. Bathroom at a park. Ride next to Black Dog Salvage too!! Restaurants.

Mostly level ride, beautiful artwork, poppy, lily flowers , containers along way. Bathroom at a park. Ride next to Black Dog Salvage too!! Restaurants.

Great Family ride

Excellent bike ride for young riders. Offers a flat, soft surface without too many climbs etc. Also, lots of places (restaurants) etc. to stop and eat along the way. Plenty of parking available around the trail. Trail runs right through downtown Lynchburg!

A terrific, safe trail right through a city

I ride the Roanoke River Greenway several times a week. I park at either the Norwich trailhead At Bridge Street or the 13th Street entrance. To add the Tinker Creek Greenway, I park at one of two side by side lots on Wise Avenue or at Fallon Park. This section has a very steep hill which connects to the Roanoke River Greenway at the Water Pollution Plant. Great fun. A nice side trip is to cross over to the Garden City Greenway, a two mile climb up and back 2 miles to the RRG. An 18-20 mile excursion in total. Did it this morning. Great!
The ride through the several city parks is quite beautiful and on the weekends there are lots of riders, joggers and walkers sharing the trail with families using the many picnic tables along the route.
I’m always safe, always within shouting distance of help if I need it at 75 years.

Nearby Trails

Go Unlimited Today!

  • FREE Account
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Post your trail reviews
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Get a free map in the app!
Register for FREE
  •  
Purchase Unlimited

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.