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.
If biking, Afton is a better starting point than the West start. It's neat to be able to basically coast the entire tunnel, as the grade helps considerably.
My wife and I rode the trail recently on our fat tire ebikes. Beautiful late winter day, almost 70 degrees. The trail was well maintained, almost entirely flat. The first 1/2 mile is not that great, another reviewer noted it passed by an old mine site. After that, once the trail follows the river, it was very nice. The trail was not crowded on the day we went (not a weekend). We passed several bikers and some families walking with strollers. The trail is plenty wide for passing, or being passed, in either direction. There was some "evidence" of horses, but we saw no one horseback riding on the day we went. Nice, comfortable ride, we'll go back.
The tunnel requires a light of some sort because while you can see the end, you are walking for about .84 miles in darkness. The flashlight is a nice addition to the hike, though, as you are able to see the differences in the tunnel as you progress from one end to the other. The parking lots on both the east and west end of the trail are small, but the west end does offer more room. It is also a steeper trail so keep that in mind; you will need to all back up unless someone meets you on the other side.
First... let me say I was nervous about the tunnel! But know that you can see “the light at the end of the tunnel” so I wasn’t claustrophobic,as I had feared. Know that they mean it when they say lights are required. Otherwise, you are not visible to other hikers even when you’re within arms length! We began at the Afton end and although we arrived before 10am all parking was taken. We ended up parking at the post office. As you exit the tunnel on the Waynesboro end there is a good uphill hike...a very distinct path/trail. The entire path is 2.5 one way. We saw plenty of dogs on the trail which was another question I had... we’re dogs allowed? As an added bonus it snowed! We saw
While this trail is good, you better get there early. Parking is incredibly limited and if you park out of the marked area, your car will get towed. Rude people abound.... Once in the tunnel, it is FULL of people with all manner of lights and kids shining flashlights in peoples eyes. There are better trails without the parking and crowd hassles.
Nicely maintained trail. The west side is a little steep. The actual tunnel is flat. Make sure to have a flashlight as it is pitch black in the tunnel. It’s a beautiful area and neat experience. Lots of history!
On my bucket list. 50 degree year round. Bring a light. Dark inside
Love this trail. It just get crowded on the weekend so better be early. A lot of people especially kids on the bridge so u have to really pay attention in this part.
Rode last weekend (11/7 and 11/8) and the temps were in the high seventies! Rode from the trailhead at Prospect to Pamplin and then to Farmville and back to Prospect for a 32 mile round trip. The trail is pea gravel and not as smooth as crushed limestone for sure. It's more difficult and a slower ride. Stayed at the Hampton Inn which was super clean and had contactless entry - but it was a bit over-occupied IMHO during Covid. Second day we rode from the Camp Paradise trailhead and rode the 1 mile or so to the High Bridge. Got there at 8am and spent maybe 15 minutes on the bridge watching the birds and enjoying the view. Saw maybe 3 others. Rode into Farmville and had breakfast at Walker's Diner! Super great food and could eat outside. Then we rode from Farmville to the other end of the trail which is very uneventful (just a dead end in the woods) and back to Camp Paradise for another 30 miles or so. When we got to our car at 1:30pm the lot was very full!! It was a beautiful ride but I wish it was paved! We did it on a Specialized road bike and a Trek 7.5 Hybrid.
Enjoy the beauty and sounds of nature while biking along the Piney and Tye Rivers! It is one of our local trails that we ride 5 or 6 times a year. We did a YouTube video of one of our rides this year that you can find on our channel, Bent on Bike Trails.
A linear Virginia State Park with a spectacular bridge, beautiful natural setting and really well maintained bike pathway! Don’t miss this great ride! You can even do a metric century if you ride both ways since the trail is 32 miles long!! 😎 We did a YouTube video of our ride that you can find on our channel, Bent on Bike Trails.
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