Find the top rated walking trails in Grundy, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Did the Mendota to Benhams leg today 13 miles Traveled from Natural Tunnel State Park, and the ride over in the country was great all by itself. Beautiful countryside. The shade and scenery running alongside the creek was absolutely amazing! The signs were informative along the way and those stone benches!! Now that’s a lasting legacy! This route had us going uphill slightly to Benham’s and the ride down was just a coast! Loved it…..I put it up there with the Creeper trail for beauty. You can see all the work that’s been put into it along the way with the erosion controls and borders. Well done VA!
Trail was worth the drive. Asphalt paved path with a gentle grade and nice stop in David for a lunch break. Saw several deer and other critters along the trail.
I started in Mendota based on other’s recommendations. It was a gorgeous scenic ride thru the forest along the river and 18 bridge crossings. Highly recommend this trail!
Per mile this is the most beautiful trail we have ever been on, and we have been on quite a few. The scenery is just gorgeous. You will want to go slow and watch the overhead cliffs on one side and listen to the rushing river on the other. Going slow is fine because the surface is not that great. You will be on the brakes on the way down and in low gear on the way back. Go in the early spring so you can see all the scenery and the river is rushing.
My wife and I just completed this trail out and back. Based on recommendations, we started in Mendota and worked our way to Bristol. I’m glad we took the advice. Coming back from Bristol was a breeze as the trail was mostly downhill. The trail was well maintained with only a short section near Bristol being slightly rough because of the larger gravel that was used. Other than that, our bikes with gravel tires handled the trail well. This is one of the best trails we’ve ridden. We highly recommend it!
Just finished doing the trail from Mendota to Bristol and back. 25 miles. This is DEFINITELY the direction to take if doing a round trip ride. First 9+ miles from Mendota end are steady up hill. It’s a grunt! Once up to the top though it’s a fun coating ride to Bristol. This way on return it’s only 3 miles uphill and then 9.5 down mostly. Would’ve been much tougher starting in Bristol. Trail is a shaded mix of gravel, dirt, grass and even pavement. It’s all fine but not all a glassy paved ride. Excellent trail!!!
Rode this trail to the end and back today on our pedal assist e-bikes. I can’t say enough about how great it is. Well marked and maintained parking. Well maintained trail too — the USFS has come in and cleared the trail of trees from Helene so it is rideable. But the best part is how absolutely gorgeous this gorge is. Towering limestone cliffs! Waterfalls! A designated Scenic River that I want to come back and swim in! It truly rivals the Virginia Creeper Trail (upper part before Helene) and is easy on an e-bike. Uncrowded too. I think we saw a total of 18 people all day today and two of them worked for the USFS. Highly recommend! before Helene ¿¿
Trail is immaculate compared to most. Rode it mid March and you could see all the work that’s been done in the last few months. It takes a minute to get to the Mendota trailhead but it’s worth the beautiful drive if you have the time. Not to say starting in Bristol is bad because it isn’t. If you haven’t been yet then put it on your list.
The Virginia Creeper Trail is CLOSED from Drowning Ford to Whitetop. No one is permitted on that section of the trail without the express written permission from the US Forest Service. In addition, NO clean ups are permitted on this section of the trail at this time. The most valuable action you can take at this time is to stay off the trail so essential resources are not otherwise diverted. We understand and appreciate your curiosity and interest but this is not the time. When we reach the restoration phase, we will reach out. Thank you for your support…it will take our entire trail community to rebuild and restore - but we will do so!! The lower section of the trail, from Abingdon to Drowning Ford (only) is open. Please repost…thank you!
This trail does not disappoint. The ride down from Whitetop Mountain was fun with beautiful vista after beautiful vista. I STRONGLY recommend riding this trail twice.
The first time, just ride it and take it all in. Enjoy the beauty of the environment and the trail. Get into the zone and just ride non-stop.
Then do it a second time but, this time, stop to take pictures, grab a coffee or a cider at one of the cafes that pop up along the trail, and then stop to take more pictures.
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!
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