Find the top rated birding trails in Mechanicsville, 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 you only have a few days/limited ride time - here are my suggestions, based on 2 days of riding and driving the entire trail (yes - it runs RIGHT BESIDE Hwy 5 for most of its length) Which is why I rate it a 4 instead of a 5.
Background: Trail surface is smooth. I was on the bike at sunrise and finished by 10AM or so - both days (weekdays) I saw fewer than 10 bikers my entire ride, even though this was the week of Spring break (April 4th, 2022) for the local schools. Both trail heads I parked at appeared safe - there were no cars there when I started and only a few when I finished.
Ride 1: Park at Chickahominy Riverfront Park MM 7, ride East to Jamestown. Jamestown Island has a 5+ mile road that is one way, with a low speed limit. Less than 1 mile from the Jamestown TH is the Powhatan Creek Trail - a nice 2+ mile out and back trail (hilly ride, winding, lots of rough pavement from tree roots, but repairs are in the works). You can also ride several miles of unpaved paths off of the Powhatan Creek Trail. And of course, ride over the Chickahominy Creek bridge to finish your ride. I was able to get in 35 miles on this route. This entire ride is safe for all riders. Also - Colonial Parkway from Jamestown to Colonial Williamsburg is a safe ride with no commercial traffic allowed, but it is a rough surface. The bike route separates from Colonial Parkway - best to follow it rather than stay on Colonial where there is a tunnel that prohibits bicycles.
Ride 2: Park at Four Mile Creek Park MM 40 (a nice drive on a winding Hwy 5 with minimal traffic from Jamestown), ride West to Richmond. The Great Shiplock Park and Canal Walk are interesting. This is a much hillier ride than the Jamestown end, with several traffic light road crossings. Safe - but not ideal for all riders. With a ride through Dorey Park in Varina, I was able to get in 29 miles.
Overall a nice trail, very smooth surface, with some sections more appealing than others. Jamestown Island was the highlight.
…and we rode the trail back to Jamestown. This was in late October of 2021 and we were looking for fall foliage. We were a couple of weeks early. A great ride overall, though, and the trail was in great shape.
I started out planning to ride the entire trail, beginning at the trailhead on Bloombury Rd. I made it to Mile Marker 4, which is another trailhead, and decided I’d had enough for one day. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, but some have mentioned the rocks. At this end of the trail, there is only gravel. My problem, for which there’s no real solution, was the roots that crisscross the trail. They’re not the huge roots that can take you down, but they’re unavoidable, and there are a lot of them, and they make for pretty rough riding. I agree with those who recommend fat tires/mountain bikes.
Some parts are fine, parts very bumpy, and some sections have very thick, large stones that are difficult to maneuver through.
Our first time on this trail. For cyclist I would recommend a mountain bike, skinny tires would not be fun. Quiet except for the gunshots in the distance the first 1 to 2 miles but hey you are out in the country. Nice tree covered trail reminds me of the Poolesville Md stretch of the C&O Canal Trail. relatively flat. We did not complete the full trail but will most definitely be back. The very few people we ran into on the trail were very friendly.
Started out from Richmond. Made it to Charles city. 37.5 this was for Memorial day weekend. Of 2021. Heading back for Labor day weekend. For round 2 .. going the distance. 52
Bumpy, some areas with large stones, not a pleasurable trail.
Outstanding trail. My wife dropped me off in Richmond and meant me in Jamestown. Rode it on June 12th 2021. It wasn't crowded at all and the only thing I would say is the trail isn't wide enough.
I only did 4 miles in of this trail recently, but it was extremely nice. Terrain varies between gravel, pine tags and a few dried mud bogs, but it was most enjoyable and pleasant. Future plans call for hiking the entire length and also a r/t mountain biking excursion.
Great for daily walks in around the city. One downside...you have to cross RT 1 to finish up the last .75 miles of the trail. A bit of a pain, but overall, it's a nice round trip walk.
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