Explore the best rated trails in Wise, VA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Guest River Gorge Trail and Salt Trail . With more than 17 trails covering 143 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.
Very nice trail that is well maintained. Expect to see lots of other trail users as this is heavily used. Be aware that due to the type of gravel used your bicycle will get very dusty but don’t let that stop you from enjoying this ride
Mendota trail weaves with the water and a local gravel road starting from Mendota. Trail Signage was great and will guide you! Water access at varying points as was useful for my Australian Shepherd to cool down. Multiple benches and picnic tables available. Great trail!
We rode almost 18 miles out-and-back -- starting at Archer Park, down to David, back up to Hawkins Ave, then returned to Archer. (The trail connector access at Archer Park is behind the veteran memorial with all the flags and adjacent to the dog park.) Trail was in excellent shape, extremely well-built and well-drained, with lots of shade. Be sure to stop at EKY Fair Bar just before David and get a cold drink or ice cream. The trail is very community-oriented, which we also appreciated. Dinner at Lizzie B's afterwards hit on all cylinders!
We rode 45 miles, out-and-back from Jenny's Creek TH to Tip Top Tunnel. Loved the newly-paved surface. Dogs were well-behaved, scenery gorgeous, and Gun Creek Tunnel always a treat. Only wish that Griffith Family Farm was open on Sundays (but we get that!). Did stop at the old general store in Royalton for cold drinks and ice cream. Hope they open Tip Top or do a re-route one day and pave the rest of the trail.
I love being outside and the sound of the river and the trees are wonderful. Being paved, it is comfortable to be on even after it had rained as opposed to a muddy trail, so I really liked that. There is plenty of parking with overflow parking across the street.
This was our first time on this trail. It is a very beautiful trail, but NOT an easy hike. Lots of overgrowth from plants, lots of rocks and obstacles to climb / navigate. Just be aware if you do it
Front start to finish and back is 20 miles. You will see homeless people but they will not bother you at all. In the summer months parts of the trail can flood if we get a lot of rain. But you have get some really good shaded areas to cool off and there is also so up hill areas but not bad at all. Good trail to get some exercise!
I would highly suggest unless you are an avid cyclist, to start on the Mendota side. From Mendota toward Bristol is about an 8 to 10 mile gradual climb. If you get the climb out of the way you can enjoy a very nice beautiful ride back into Mendota with a little effort. It’s a very scenic trail and shaded 90% of the time. I’ll ride a lot of rail trails, other than the steep climb, that which is a great workout, this trail is among the best.
I recently rode the Dawkins Line Rail Trail, starting from the Jane Beshear trailhead to the Hager Hill section, and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The gates along the trail are quite narrow, posing a challenge for cyclists maintaining any significant speed. However, they are now clearly visible, thanks to fresh coats of paint. Adding historical or informational markers along the trail would indeed enhance the overall experience. I had a wonderful time and look forward to returning soon to explore a different portion of the trail.
We rode from Mendota to about mile marker 4 and back on July 4th. Thoroughly enjoyed the trail! Beautiful beginning from Mendota but the surface was rough for about the first mile. Better after that. Beautiful the whole way. I felt like I had stepped back in time. I wish I had worn my swimsuit to swim in the river. Nice swinging bridge at the beginning too. Highly recommend.
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