Explore the best rated trails in Lynchburg, VA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail and South River Greenway Trail. With more than 13 trails covering 84 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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...
The Mill Mountain Greenway provides residents and visitors to Roanoke with a nice connection from the city's downtown to Mill Mountain Park. Within the park, you can explore numerous hiking trails,...
The trail is known as the Mud Lick Creek Greenway trail since it follows the route of the nearby waterway. Alternatively, some folks refer to it as the Garst Mill Park Greenway, after the park whose...
The Mason Creek Greenway Trail follows its namesake creek closely, stretching for over a mile. The trail starts on Roanoke Boulevard and heads north, sliding between an office complex and a mobile...
The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail offers a quintessential rail-trail experience in central Virginia, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville (less than an hour’s drive from each). The trail...
The Staunton River Battlefield Rail-Trail crosses through the state park battlefield of the same name in rural south-central Virginia. The gravel trail follows an abandoned corridor of the old...
The Chessie Nature Trail travels through breathtaking rural Virginia countryside, following mile markers left behind by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad that ran this route. Dont be surprised if you...
The central feature for which the High Bridge Trail is named is an unforgettable experience, towering 125 feet above the mighty Appomattox River and nearly a half-mile (2,440 feet) across it. The...
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...
The Wolf Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway for two miles through Vinton on the outskirts of Roanoke in western Virginia. Its surface is mostly cinder and gravel with a few short asphalt...
The Tinker Creek Greenway winds through Roanoke's east end from Fallon Park to just over a mile southeast. Along your journey, you'll be closely paralleling the pleasantly wooded Tinker...
The South River Greenway is a 1.2 mile multi-use trail running along the South River through Waynesboro's Downtown corridor. Views along the way include those of the river, Blue Ridge Mountains,...
Lick Run Greenway begins in downtown Roanoke and heads north just over 4 miles to end between Huff Lane Park and Valley View Mall. Along the way, the paved pathway traverses two parks: Washington Park...
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...
The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail offers a quintessential rail-trail experience in central Virginia, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville (less than an hour’s drive from each). The trail...
Opened in 1999, the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail in Salem (just outside of Roanoke) is associated with Southern Virginia's impressive Civil War history. The northern trailhead at Hanging Rock was...
The Chessie Nature Trail travels through breathtaking rural Virginia countryside, following mile markers left behind by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad that ran this route. Dont be surprised if you...
The Murray Run Greenway winds through a section of the City of Roanoke. The greenway trail is multipurpose, with a varying surface of cinder, woodchips and concrete sidewalk. The width of the trail...
The Wolf Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway for two miles through Vinton on the outskirts of Roanoke in western Virginia. Its surface is mostly cinder and gravel with a few short asphalt...
The trail is known as the Mud Lick Creek Greenway trail since it follows the route of the nearby waterway. Alternatively, some folks refer to it as the Garst Mill Park Greenway, after the park whose...
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...
The Mason Creek Greenway Trail follows its namesake creek closely, stretching for over a mile. The trail starts on Roanoke Boulevard and heads north, sliding between an office complex and a mobile...
The Tinker Creek Greenway winds through Roanoke's east end from Fallon Park to just over a mile southeast. Along your journey, you'll be closely paralleling the pleasantly wooded Tinker...
The Mill Mountain Greenway provides residents and visitors to Roanoke with a nice connection from the city's downtown to Mill Mountain Park. Within the park, you can explore numerous hiking trails,...
The central feature for which the High Bridge Trail is named is an unforgettable experience, towering 125 feet above the mighty Appomattox River and nearly a half-mile (2,440 feet) across it. The...
The James River Foot Bridge carries the Appalachian Trail over the James River in Snowden, Virginia, approximately 20 miles northwest of Lynchburg. The bridge was built on the piers of a demolished...
Lick Run Greenway begins in downtown Roanoke and heads north just over 4 miles to end between Huff Lane Park and Valley View Mall. Along the way, the paved pathway traverses two parks: Washington Park...
The South River Greenway is a 1.2 mile multi-use trail running along the South River through Waynesboro's Downtown corridor. Views along the way include those of the river, Blue Ridge Mountains,...
The Staunton River Battlefield Rail-Trail crosses through the state park battlefield of the same name in rural south-central Virginia. The gravel trail follows an abandoned corridor of the old...
Lick Run Greenway begins in downtown Roanoke and heads north just over 4 miles to end between Huff Lane Park and Valley View Mall. Along the way, the paved pathway traverses two parks: Washington Park...
The Mill Mountain Greenway provides residents and visitors to Roanoke with a nice connection from the city's downtown to Mill Mountain Park. Within the park, you can explore numerous hiking trails,...
The James River Foot Bridge carries the Appalachian Trail over the James River in Snowden, Virginia, approximately 20 miles northwest of Lynchburg. The bridge was built on the piers of a demolished...
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...
The Staunton River Battlefield Rail-Trail crosses through the state park battlefield of the same name in rural south-central Virginia. The gravel trail follows an abandoned corridor of the old...
The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail offers a quintessential rail-trail experience in central Virginia, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville (less than an hour’s drive from each). The trail...
The Chessie Nature Trail travels through breathtaking rural Virginia countryside, following mile markers left behind by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad that ran this route. Dont be surprised if you...
The South River Greenway is a 1.2 mile multi-use trail running along the South River through Waynesboro's Downtown corridor. Views along the way include those of the river, Blue Ridge Mountains,...
The Wolf Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway for two miles through Vinton on the outskirts of Roanoke in western Virginia. Its surface is mostly cinder and gravel with a few short asphalt...
The Tinker Creek Greenway winds through Roanoke's east end from Fallon Park to just over a mile southeast. Along your journey, you'll be closely paralleling the pleasantly wooded Tinker...
Opened in 1999, the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail in Salem (just outside of Roanoke) is associated with Southern Virginia's impressive Civil War history. The northern trailhead at Hanging Rock was...
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...
The central feature for which the High Bridge Trail is named is an unforgettable experience, towering 125 feet above the mighty Appomattox River and nearly a half-mile (2,440 feet) across it. The...
The Mason Creek Greenway Trail follows its namesake creek closely, stretching for over a mile. The trail starts on Roanoke Boulevard and heads north, sliding between an office complex and a mobile...
The Murray Run Greenway winds through a section of the City of Roanoke. The greenway trail is multipurpose, with a varying surface of cinder, woodchips and concrete sidewalk. The width of the trail...
The trail is known as the Mud Lick Creek Greenway trail since it follows the route of the nearby waterway. Alternatively, some folks refer to it as the Garst Mill Park Greenway, after the park whose...
This is a well maintained trail that takes you from a high trafficked trail, through less trafficked cow pastures (DONT FORGET TO CLOSE THE GATES) next to the Maury River between Lexington and Buena Vista. My husband and I love running the Chessie especially when we are logging marathon training miles. Definitely a must run if you are in the area. If you love it ~ there is a marathon and 1/2 marathon on the Chessie in mid October. You can always check in with the locals at the Lexington Running Shop on Main Street to see if there is a group run upcoming on the trails. 😀👍 Always better with friends. Run Happy Y’all!
Our biking group through Wintergreen Sporting Club had a lovely experience on this trail August 2019. We parked in the restaurant parking (free for customers). We enjoyed a terrific lunch with extremely bicyclist supportive staff after our ride! One look at us and they served water immediately.
Some of us have road bikes so the crushed gravel trail keeps the rider alert. Some piles of gravel along the way posed a challenge for road bikers. I ask those who maintain the trails to be aware of the perils of piled gravel and sand to bicyclists.
The historic markers, some shade along the way and the bridges make this a 5 star trail.
My wife and I rode the trail on a Saturday morning. We saw very few walkers/riders until we approached Lexington. Yes, we did have to navigate through Black Angus cattle and the manure. It was actually entertaining to stop and chat with the cattle. They were quite docile and friendly.
The trail was a bit rough through private land, so you have to slow down and be careful of rocks, sticks, etc. Our Trek FX3's were great on the trail. The river was beautiful and we saw deer along the trail. It took about an hour each way. The gates have all been upgraded for easy access.
We would definitely return. :)
Had a great ride on Sunday, a little more populated on the main trail but with side trails had a good 90 minutes of riding. Started at Fertilizer Rd entrance and if we did not have a truck the road to the entrance of the trail would have been hard to manage . The road has been washed out quite a bit from rains etc.
We are frequent visitors to this park. It is an excellent place to run, ride or walk bikes along the gravel path or bridge. Despite other reviews - this trail has several walking and mountain biking paths that are quite interesting. One is about a mile long that takes you underneath the bridge. Another close to Camp Paradise parking lot is about a 1.5 hike through the woods. There are several other trails along the path we haven't discovered yet - but it is definitely worth the trip.
this was very pleasant if a little boring. there are some historical stops near Farmville and the High Bridge. the trail is closed for repair from about two miles east of main st. in Farmville to the river road parking area.
They are working in it. Has a lot of potential. Great to run on. I would wait to bike until they finish.
This trail has enough to keep you interested. It is easy, and long enough for an afternoon. Was well worth the trip down from Charlottesville. Plan to return.
Farmville is in a shallow bowl along the Appomattox River with the High Bridge Trail rising out in two directions. It is uphill on a slight but steady grade. Not a bad grade, but one a casual cyclist would notice. So you park Downtown and ride out in either direction. The High Bridge is east. When nearly worn out, turn around and the down grade works for you. Further, Farmville is a college town (Longwood University) so there are abundant local and chain restaurants when you want to refuel.
We gave this an average rating as compared with other rails to trails and State Parks we have biked in the Mid-Atlantic area because once out of town the scenery does not change much. We have biked most of the Trail and it becomes a long green tunnel in many places. For this reason the Trail is best suited for a quicker pace consistent with biking and horse riding rather than walking. For the best Trail experience include the High Bridge structure, its role in history and its vistas.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g57784-d1908609-r634293226-High_Bridge_Trail_State_Park-Green_Bay_Virginia.html#
I confess. I liked it as city river trails go. It's varied. Look at its map and you'll see a reclining squid with arms going on both sides of the river and even down the middle of an island in the river. It helps to learn the various names of the legs so you'll have a clue as to where the heck you are. There are high legs, low legs, jungle legs, urban legs, tunnel legs, bowed legs and unshaven legs. Something for every leg man.
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