Find the top rated birding trails in Hampton, 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.
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As a resident in a neighborhood along the Elizabeth River Trail, I find it extremely convenient for commuting to downtown and for pleasure riding on the weekends. The complete 10 mile trail is great if you have some time and want to explore a lot of different types of neighborhoods but if you just want to get out for a quick ride or jog it's easy to do too. There are some areas that need improvement and signage will be overhauled in the next year so I'm very hopeful it will be a real draw in the future. Overall it's a really fun and unique trail that showcases a slice of life in Norfolk - easy access to the river, historic areas, urban places, universities and a working port.
I rode this short trail on a mild Saturday morning in January 2018. The setting is beautiful, and the condition of the trail is wonderful. On the day I visited, the short existing segment was heavily used by the lucky neighborhood residents living near the trail for walking, bike riding, and in-line skating. Friendly people, serene country setting - and great facilities for such a short trail.
As mentioned in the description, the trail is set to one day become part of a multi-city trail, that will eventually stretch from downtown Suffolk to the Virginia Beach oceanfront (40+miles with a few on-road segments, and a ferry crossing between Portsmouth and Norfolk). The City of Suffolk will greatly benefit its residents by expanding the trail to the west (downtown Suffolk), while all of south-side Hampton Roads will benefit when Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach complete their segments, signage and marketing of the trail.
Beautiful trail. Love that the Pughsville end is open. I would suggest a place for doggie scoop bags and a place to throw the used bags away at the Pughsville end. Similar to the setup at the Driver end.
Beside that love the trail.
My wife and I drove from north of Baltimore to do the trail the first week of Oct over 2 days starting at Richmond and finishing at Jamestown. Overall, it was a good experience.
Lest anyone be fooled, I would not consider this easy. The first day we rode to and stayed at North Bend plantation (more on that in the minute). That was a 33 mile first day. There were constant hills throughout those 32 miles (1 mile done off trail) While no one incline was onerous by itsef the cumulative toll of all of them after 30+ miles was obvious by the time we were done. (We are not rookies, we recently rode the 110 mile Florida Keys and the 62 mile PA Grand Canyon). I would rate this one more as moderate than easy. The trail itself is paved well, and with 2 exceptions well marked. The most disappointing aspect of it was the lack of diverse scenery. It really wasn't all that scenic, it was mostly along the road on one side and the same scrubby woods on the other. And that is the other BIG negative, the road. Any sense of tranquility along the way is disrupted by the fact that while on a path the road is literally right next to you for about 90% of the ride. It is well traveled enough to keep you from getting relaxed with any sense of nature.
Now the best parts. The night at North Bend Plantation was awesome. Miss Ridgely is a terrific and fun hostess. The place is loaded with history and when she tells you it will feel like Grandma's house, yes, you do feel that much at home.
On arrival in Jamestown, we played tourist at the settlement, then spent the evening at Wedmore Place at Williamsburg Winery. The price, the room, the dining and especially the service was A+ all the way.
Finally, the Capital Trail Shuttle back to Richmond. Cheyenne and her service merit yet another A+. She was great at communicating, easing any concerns before and during the trip. She was on time, helpful and friendly.
All in all, a good 2 1/2 day trip. Worth the 3 hour drive to get started in Richmond...once. Would definitely visit both lodgings again. As for the trail, of the several overnighters we've done, this ride comes in last place for enjoyment of the ride itself.
The trails are a great addition to the area, however they need to make sure they don't add too much parking to it so it doesn't get overloaded like everything else in Hampton Roads. You don't want to have to duck and weave a million people if you're walking or riding.
This is a great flat and wide paved beginner trail. It has now been extended east and is 3.5 miles long. Some parking, port-a-john, and bike repair station with tools at each trail head.
This trail circles Sandy Bottom Nature Park, and acts as an oasis in the middle of the busy city of Hampton. Hard packed stone is easy to ride on, and their are numerous side trails to explore and on which to double-back. One drawback is the proximity of Interstate 64 on the east side of the park, which the trail follows for some distance and could be a distraction for someone wishing for a more secluded trail.
We had the opportunity to ride the trail while on our way to Kiptopeke State Park. I had read about the trail in the guide book "Virginia Rail Trails" by Joe Tennis.
The trail is paved, flat and short (2.5 miles) but can be combined with the many bike friendly trails at Kiptopeke State Park for a longer experience.
There is good access to parking at both ends.
While not a destination trail on its own it's certainly worth doing if in the area.
Hopefully it will be extended North in the future as proposed.
On an unseasonably hot and very windy day in early May, 2017, four of us got on our bikes at the parking lot of Jamestowne Settlement for the 52-mile ride to Richmond. The trail is wonderful: a variety of settings from shaded woods to open fields, flat sections and hills. The views in many places are beautiful. Our only criticism is that there are almost no places to refill your water bottle. That was a serious issue on the day we rode with temps near 90 and strong headwinds. The next day was cool when we rode back east so the lack of water was not as serious. Hopefully, as this trail is used more (since it is relatively new) this deficit will be addressed. Right how the trail is in excellent condition and we hope it stays that way. It is a top-notch ride.
My family and I love this trail. We went alot last year. Today, was our first trip of the year. We arrived at 1030 am (its a Thursday) and all of the spots were taken and vehicles were parallel parked on the grass. Luckily, i squeezed in there but since the trail is expanding more people will want to use and 6 spots are nothing.
There is now a small 6 spot parking area off Towne Point Rd. just past the VFW hall at the Suffolk terminus.
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