Explore the best rated trails in Staunton, VA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Lumberjack Trail and Hawksbill Greenway. With more than 18 trails covering 182 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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While the Saunders-Monticello trail leads to the home of one the United States most prominent presidents, it is quickly becoming a destination in itself. It’s less than ten minutes’ drive from...
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,...
Fishersville is a small community located between Staunton and Waynesboro in Augusta County. This pedestrian and cycling path was added as part of Fishersville's road improvements and useful for both...
The Hawksbill Greenway is a 2-mile non-motorized pathway in the town of Luray, Virginia, two hours from Washington D.C. It extends from Linden Street in the west to the Flowering Forest in the east....
The enhanced bike-ped trail snakes alongside the John W. Warner Parkway for 1.6 miles, from East Rio Road down to McIntire Park. It mostly lies on the route of the old Southern Railway. Points of...
Closure notice: Starting in August 2020 and continuing as of January 2021, the Piney River Trailhead will be subject to ongoing closures due to nearby environmental cleanup work. Please use the Rose...
Spanning more than 20 miles, the Rivanna Trail surrounds Charlottesville, connecting several parks along the way and providing a recreational outdoor amenity for city dwellers. The trail has a mix of...
The Coal Tower Trail is an 8-10-foot wide path adjacent to Water Street connecting downtown Charlottesville to Carlton Road and the Meade Avenue Trail. The tree-lined path also parallels an active...
The Greenbrier River Trail is arguably West Virginia’s premier rail-trail, running for 78 miles past remote small towns and through lush forests along the banks of the longest undammed river in the...
Waterfalls, river views, rugged rock formations, vibrant fall foliage, and delicate flowers in the spring: These are the sights that put the scenic in Jackson River Scenic Trail. This serene...
While the Saunders-Monticello trail leads to the home of one the United States most prominent presidents, it is quickly becoming a destination in itself. It’s less than ten minutes’ drive from...
Spanning more than 20 miles, the Rivanna Trail surrounds Charlottesville, connecting several parks along the way and providing a recreational outdoor amenity for city dwellers. The trail has a mix of...
The West Fork Trail snakes its way through remote mountain valleys for 22 miles in the Monongahela National Forest. The soothing gurgle of the river complements the trail’s serene environment of thick...
The enhanced bike-ped trail snakes alongside the John W. Warner Parkway for 1.6 miles, from East Rio Road down to McIntire Park. It mostly lies on the route of the old Southern Railway. Points of...
Waterfalls, river views, rugged rock formations, vibrant fall foliage, and delicate flowers in the spring: These are the sights that put the scenic in Jackson River Scenic Trail. This serene...
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...
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The scenic East Fork Trail follows the East Fork of the Greenbrier River through hemlock stands and pine plantations and past many small waterfalls, extending 8 miles from the Island Campground in...
The Greenbrier River Trail is arguably West Virginia’s premier rail-trail, running for 78 miles past remote small towns and through lush forests along the banks of the longest undammed river in the...
Widney Park Rail-Trail is located in the quiet West Virginia community of Durbin. The old railroad town has a charming Main Street with welcoming shops and restaurants and the rail-trail is located...
Closure notice: Starting in August 2020 and continuing as of January 2021, the Piney River Trailhead will be subject to ongoing closures due to nearby environmental cleanup work. Please use the Rose...
Located in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest—a hotspot for mountain biking and rock climbing—the Lumberjack Trail offers a scenic hike on an old...
The impressive Blue Ridge Tunnel, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, was designed by French engineer Claudius Crozet to allow the Blue Ridge Railroad to pass through the...
The Hawksbill Greenway is a 2-mile non-motorized pathway in the town of Luray, Virginia, two hours from Washington D.C. It extends from Linden Street in the west to the Flowering Forest in the east....
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 Coal Tower Trail is an 8-10-foot wide path adjacent to Water Street connecting downtown Charlottesville to Carlton Road and the Meade Avenue Trail. The tree-lined path also parallels an active...
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...
Fishersville is a small community located between Staunton and Waynesboro in Augusta County. This pedestrian and cycling path was added as part of Fishersville's road improvements and useful for both...
Located in the Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest—a hotspot for mountain biking and rock climbing—the Seneca Creek Trail is a scenic feast of streams, meadows,...
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...
Fishersville is a small community located between Staunton and Waynesboro in Augusta County. This pedestrian and cycling path was added as part of Fishersville's road improvements and useful for both...
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...
Widney Park Rail-Trail is located in the quiet West Virginia community of Durbin. The old railroad town has a charming Main Street with welcoming shops and restaurants and the rail-trail is located...
Located in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest—a hotspot for mountain biking and rock climbing—the Lumberjack Trail offers a scenic hike on an old...
While the Saunders-Monticello trail leads to the home of one the United States most prominent presidents, it is quickly becoming a destination in itself. It’s less than ten minutes’ drive from...
The West Fork Trail snakes its way through remote mountain valleys for 22 miles in the Monongahela National Forest. The soothing gurgle of the river complements the trail’s serene environment of thick...
The Hawksbill Greenway is a 2-mile non-motorized pathway in the town of Luray, Virginia, two hours from Washington D.C. It extends from Linden Street in the west to the Flowering Forest in the east....
Waterfalls, river views, rugged rock formations, vibrant fall foliage, and delicate flowers in the spring: These are the sights that put the scenic in Jackson River Scenic Trail. This serene...
The scenic East Fork Trail follows the East Fork of the Greenbrier River through hemlock stands and pine plantations and past many small waterfalls, extending 8 miles from the Island Campground in...
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 Coal Tower Trail is an 8-10-foot wide path adjacent to Water Street connecting downtown Charlottesville to Carlton Road and the Meade Avenue Trail. The tree-lined path also parallels an active...
The enhanced bike-ped trail snakes alongside the John W. Warner Parkway for 1.6 miles, from East Rio Road down to McIntire Park. It mostly lies on the route of the old Southern Railway. Points of...
The Greenbrier River Trail is arguably West Virginia’s premier rail-trail, running for 78 miles past remote small towns and through lush forests along the banks of the longest undammed river in the...
Spanning more than 20 miles, the Rivanna Trail surrounds Charlottesville, connecting several parks along the way and providing a recreational outdoor amenity for city dwellers. The trail has a mix of...
The impressive Blue Ridge Tunnel, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, was designed by French engineer Claudius Crozet to allow the Blue Ridge Railroad to pass through the...
Located in the Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest—a hotspot for mountain biking and rock climbing—the Seneca Creek Trail is a scenic feast of streams, meadows,...
Closure notice: Starting in August 2020 and continuing as of January 2021, the Piney River Trailhead will be subject to ongoing closures due to nearby environmental cleanup work. Please use the Rose...
Paved urban trail - not a RT. Plenty of parking at the “Wilson” end, since the other end just stops at a construction site. Many of the road crossings are small and the large ones have signal control buttons. Not flat - comfortable ups and downs past housing developments, medical offices, and hospital. McD and other fast food at the end the route along Tinkling Spring Rd. Augusta Kitchen (closer to trail head) looked like a great place to eat, but only opened at 11:00 and we rode earlier. A pleasant park down a short paved access road off the parking lot with 1/2 mile walking trail around small lake to enjoy after your ride. Also has clean & modern bathroom.
My sweetheart and I did this trail today…it was amazing. Nevermind the part where I thought about calling Waynesboro Police to come pick me up on the way back to the car, LMAO! It was time to bond with nature and there were so many lessons. “The light at the end of the tunnel””gotta get up and climb that hill AGAIN!” Tom Petty ¿
It's OK not great. Absolutly no cell service
Rode this on a BEAUTIFUL Friday afternoon at the start of the Memorial Day Weekend in May 2022. Encountered about a dozen pedestrians in each direction, but my teenage daughter and I were the only ones on bikes. The gravel trail is easy and smooth when starting in the east (Afton) and through the tunnel. Leaving the tunnel on the western side, there are several fairly steep up and down hills before reaching the trail head (our turn around). We walked our bikes uphill for short sections, but more fit / experienced riders would have no difficulty. The downhills were short and thrilling.
The tunnel is why we came here - and is definitely the attraction. BRING A BRIGHT HEADLIGHT / FLASHLIGHT! We each had cheap (dim) camping headlights - but fortunately I also had a small hand-held flashlight in the car, and I held it on the ride. Posted signs recommended 300 lumen lights. From the entrance of the tunnel you can see the "light at the end" - but it is way in the distance, and the tunnel is VERY DARK inside. For spring / summer visitors - bear in mind the temperature in the interior of the tunnel is cooler (about mid 50s to mid 60s year round) compared to the high 70s on our visit day. For biking it was refreshing, but several of the hikers wore jackets. April and May 2022 were pretty rainy - and the east side of the tunnel had a flowing waterfall and standing water (about 6 inches deep) at the tunnel entrance. Based on comments from some of the regulars we met - the tunnel ceiling sometimes drips extensively. This didn't bother us on our bikes.
Kudos to Nelson County Parks and Recreation for several excellent interpretive signs on each end of the route, as well as safety and regulatory signs, including a reminder to bring a flashlight. It was not crowded when we visited, but based on the "NO PARKING" signs on the east trailhead - be advised to ONLY park in the designated parking lot - which appeared to hold about 20 cars. There was a porta-john on the east entrance, otherwise there were no services. We did not explore the west trailhead parking area and entrance, we turned around at the west trailhead sign.
At 4 miles round trip, this isn't going to be a long workout on a bike. The tunnel IS this trail, so come prepared to read the signs, think about its history, and then experience the beautiful setting immediately adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Rockfish Gap.
If you’re looking to go biking, do not use Azealia Park. The trail is best fit for hiking not any kind of biking. If one person comes the opposite direction you will probably run into a tree because the trail is very thin.
Biked from Lexington trailhead to Buena Vista trailhead. Follows the River so don’t follow Google Maps because it will take you off the trail¿ Loved seeing the Cows, deer, birds, squirrels, river, bridges, rock, old railway tower and markers. Quiet ¿¿
Only a 15-minute drive from the famed Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs lies the southern trailhead of the Greenbrier River Trail, a 77-mile rail-trail that cuts through the center of West Virginia. While green mountains abound, they are hidden from view on the flat, tree-lined trail which hugs the Greenbrier River as it threads the valleys of the Appalachian Mountain Region. In fact, rarely was the river out of sight as we pedaled along this “Zen trail” (our term for a trail that lacks visual variety - which some people prefer).
Wildlife is abundant here and being in black bear country, we were sure to keep up a constant and loud conversation in the hope of dissuading any from lumbering onto the trail. (No, this wasn’t an imaginary concern – like the sound of dueling banjos — bear scat had been pointed out to us on a previous ride and we’d seen bears in the mountains on several occasions.)
The trail was cool, shady, and well-maintained and we passed only a handful of others on the trail. There was no nearby civilization, so we were glad to have brought plenty of water. This time we only rode the southern end, but hope to go back for the northern end in the future!
A brewery and a fantastic distillery are not far from the trail back near the airport outside of Lewisburg.
FYI, the bridge across South River is now rebuilt and open again.
Wonderful trail! Trail was well kept and smooth riding. Camp sites about every 10 miles or so, some with bathrooms/picnic tables/fire pit. Just know and prepare for no cell service 95% of the time. Enjoy your ride!
Checked out trail while in the area with our single speed fatties and throughly enjoyed the Ride. Access to the trail is limited to the Piney River and Rose Mill trailheads and not the far western end point. Getting to the end point from Piney River was a smooth roll that goes along and across the River. Very nice bridges and shaded hard-packed surfaces. Trail was frequented by more runners than cyclists during the Saturday morning I was there. Nice place for a long run. Everyone knew to move the right and we pedaled single file. Didn't see any horses, but that could have been entirely possible.
Discovered many interesting historical events about the area and why this was built. This place is a gem. Short, sweet and easy 75 minute ride for the wife and I. Slightly off the beaten path. I'd stop there again.
Checked out trail while in the area with our single speed fatties and throughly enjoyed the Ride. Access to the trail is limited to the Piney River and Rose Mill trailheads and not the far western end point. Getting to the end point from Piney River was a smooth roll that goes along and across the River. Very nice bridges and shaded hard-packed surfaces. Trail was frequented by more runners than cyclists during the Saturday morning I was there. Nice place for a long run. Everyone knew to move the right and we pedaled single file. Didn't see any horses, but that could have been entirely possible.
Discovered many interesting historical events about the area and why this was built. This place is a gem. Short, sweet and easy 75 minute ride for the wife and I. Slightly off the beaten path. I'd stop there again.
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