Find the top rated birding trails in Charlottesville, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The entire loop is walkable but only a small part can be biked. The two mile paved section along the river is good for biking. I usually just use it as a connector for a longer cycling route.
This is a good place for new cyclists to practice or for more experienced cyclists to connect through on a longer ride. The northern section is hilly but the southern end is more or less flat-ish.
Nice easy and scenic ride. The view from the bridge is beautiful and picturesque. Plenty of shade over the trail.
I enjoyed riding here with my family. A little crowded but if I went earlier in the morning I am sure that would have been better.
The trail is great. Hard packed gravel or boardwalks take you from the parking area to the Monticello visitor center. There are 10 stunning wood boardwalks that take you along this tree lined path. It is a slight uphill all the way up - but then it’s a refreshing downhill back again. There are bathrooms and a small cafe at the Monticello visitor center as well.
We have been on this trail too many times to count. Perfect for walking, jogging, scooting for kids, or a short bike ride. If you are biking, you can create a loop with the wide, lightly trafficked downtown roads of Waynesboro (we come back to the trail on Short street to avoid the main downtown road which is more narrow). There are benches, dog bag stations, and a newly installed bike repair station on this trail. I can’t wait until they finish the remaining phases and it is longer. Probably not worth a long drive (yet) but if you are in the area it is lovely. Stay in town and visit a brewery or local eatery downtown.
If you start at riverside park, it’s a nice 2-2.5 mile ride before it goes dense and dark. If you have a MTB you’d be fine or if you’re looking to hike, again - great. We also tried the start point next to the Fontaine research center and it’s good for MTB.
The trails are nice paved for 1-2mi sections at the parks but you have to go on street with traffic or carry bike up steep rocky hills in woods between the parks. Sand before a bridge is prime for sliding down incline then missing the bridge will land you in ditch. Expect the paved paths in the parks easy level for everyone. The dirt path was thin but okay then you better be expert mountain biker for the steep cliff. parts.
Such a great ride. The creeks and river provide some amazing scenery not to mention a refreshing reprieve to tired feet. Great couple of hours.
My husband I, both fairly new to biking, parked at Elam and rode into Farmville, then on another 4.5 miles to High Bridge. The gravel trail was flat, slight inclines here and there. You can hear but not see the traffic on 460 for parts of it. Rode in and out of shady patches and could really feel a temperature change when we did. Stopped at 2 of the restrooms along the trail. Very clean and with plenty of hand sanitizer but no running water. The view was pretty much the same until we got to Farmville. Just long, straight, tree lined . Not my favorite rail trail , but the bridge itself was pretty spectacular. Got bored on the way back more so than going towards the bridge. we got to FarmVille/
This was a great ride! Very flat and a nice easy trail to ride. We took our kids in a trailer and they did great!! We let them out to hop in the river too at once spot. Really enjoyed and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a fun easy, family ride!
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