Explore the best rated trails in Salem, VA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Jackson River Scenic Trail and Mayo River Rail Trail . With more than 24 trails covering 232 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.
NRT is my heart trail, have been on many others in va but this is my favorite and most scenic!!!
Mill mt is a great e bike trail due to big climb, I like to come back down the road due to downhill speed and roughness of the old paved road that makes the trail surface, makes a nice loop and can be extended out to the parkway and around the roanoke mt loop that is closed to vehicle traffice which has beautiful overlooks.
The surface of the New River Trail should not be described as “crushed stone.” This is factually incorrect. I rode the entire trail from end-to-end and back again over three days in mid-June 2024. The first 20 or so miles from Dora Junction (Pulaski) toward Lone Ash consist mostly of a wide grassy median with a narrow dirt track on either side. This is fine for bicycles in dry weather but those of us who ride recumbent tricycles are forced to ride with at least one wheel on the grass, which makes for a tortuous slow and bumpy ride. Some sections are indeed smooth crushed stone, such as the 5.5 mile spur from Fries Junction to the town of Fries which is the best maintained section of the trail, perhaps because Fries attracts tourists and more cyclists than other parts of the trail. The first part of the 12 miles from Fries Junction up to Galax is very rough and rocky but the trail improves toward the end. Nonetheless most of this section would best be described as coarse gravel, not crushed stone, and the gravel is quite soft in places. Parts of the trail from Foster Falls to Ivanhoe and from Ivanhoe to Fries Junction also have a grass median, but other parts are gravel or crushed stone. The surface for the first few miles on either side of Foster Falls is well maintained but deteriorates the further one rides away from the park headquarters. Cyclists would benefit from a more accurate description of trail surface conditions.
We have been on a lot of rail trails, scenic yes... but not for the average rider...
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.
I have biked and hiked this entire trail. Very scenic and much to see. Can be busy during the weekends.
Hiked this trail in three days. Very scenic and peaceful. A lot of history to take in and enjoy.
Fantastic trail on a Fall day. Draper is a must stop.
We rode the New River Trail from the Ivanhoe Jubilee and Horse Show Park to the Byllesby Dam and back. We would have continued, but we were hemmed in by trail closures. There were lovely views of the river and fall foliage. We did find the trail rough in this section with larger pieces of gravel put on the trail, probably firm it up when muddy. It sure could use some regrading and a layer of packed fine gravel. The nuts in sections didn’t help with the twitchy ride. Where the trail had just packed dirt was much smoother. We rode on two inch tires and I wouldn’t want much less than that. We saw the Billy Goat near Bull Dam, which I had read about in a post from May 2022. Is he the mascot of the trail?
i rode from the trailhead in galax to close to ivanhoe. this trail is in fantastic shape. maybe the 7 dollar cost to park pays for the upkeep. I was very impressed and look forward to riding the pulaski section next year. the short spur was closed or i would have done that.
I have rode the creeper trail, high bridge trail and the tobacco heritage trail in south hill.. in va. this trail is in the best condition of all three.
Did this over 2 days stopping to camp in Watoga State Park. I don’t recommend paying for a river view camp site because we did and couldn’t see the river. We went from Cass to Lewisburg. Fairly well maintained trail but a few rougher patches and narrow lanes. Mostly shaded in Sept which was nice in the heat. Mostly downhill this direction but on gravel somehow it always feel like uphill. The tunnels and bridges were a fun part of this ride. Water available on the trail was cool and tasted great. My filter failed so this was a pleasant surprise.
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