Find the top rated running trails in Norfolk, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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On March 12, 2025, my wife and I cycled on the ERT. On red gate Avenue under the tall evergreens, her tire was caught in a deep tree route and threw her to the left side. A half hour later she was at the Centra emergency room where she was diagnosed with three broken ribs, hematoma, and her left side a gash to the right knee and multiple bruises. We hope that the officials and trail advocates in Norfolk will take notice ; please post a warning, paint, the dangerous ridges and make plans to repair the section of the trail. A large bush blocked our view until we were right on these obstacles as we headed toward the hay. This was a very traumatic experience. To
Great ride. Wish the trail had more bathrooms along the trail
The trail is a mix of trail and low traffic streets. When we first started riding it, we had no trouble following the signage. The trail takes you through old Norfolk neighborhoods, through Old Dominion University, along ship yards, to the Norfolk Waterfront, and ends at Norfolk State University. Only reason not 5 Stars is it doesn’t loop.
I personally love running on the boardwalk and enjoying the views of the beautiful hotels and amazing ocean. Not to mention the smell of the salt in the air. I always feel safe while down there. Sunrises are special and then you can easily walk or Drive to a local coffee shop afterwards.
The Dam Neck Trail (an actual trail, not a sidewalk) has sadly not been maintained and is interrupted by tree roots that push the asphalt up as high as ten inches. My city's cycling infrastructure is embarrassing.
The Lynnhaven Parkway "Trail" is an uneven sidewalk beside Lynnhaven Parkway, not a trail. My city's cycling infrastructure is embarrassing.
Just finished 4 days biking on trails here!! Beautiful scenery, mostly quiet trails.. a few seniors enjoying Virginia!!Karen from Canada
basically a sidewalk trail but the path is shaded and much safer than the road
I rode the Virginia Capital Trail from Richmond, VA to Jamestown, VA over to Williamsburg, VA to stay the night and back to Richmond. I did it on my Trek Dual Sport + (E-bike) on the lowest assistance (1% assist). First I was really impressed I got over 60 miles on the charge with the extra battery so I made it both ways with an overnight charge.
The trail was nice with some rolling hills, nothing unbearable to climb. However the heat was bad. Yesterday the heat index was 110 degrees. I did have plenty of water and gatorade with me. On Monday the heat index, I think, was around 105 degrees. Majority of the trail is not shaded! And if you are looking for a bench to take a break, well most of the benches (not that there is a lot to choose from) are in the sun. There are places to stop along the way to replenish drinks but there is also about a 15 mile run where there really isn't any convenient place to get food or water. The cool thing with this ride is the American history and history markers along the route. There are many plantations along the way that you can stop. I didn't read most of the markers or stop at any plantations. Once I got to Jamestown I did stop at the visitors center for food and more water before heading to Williamsburg. I found out that part of the Colonial Parkway was closed which sucked since I had to take a little detour through Colonial Williamsburg in order to get to my hotel. This added about 3 extra miles in the heat.
On the way back it was brutal in the heat. On top of the heat I had 9 mph SW winds which meant I was riding into the wind. 9 mph isn't much but on a bike you feel it. It only took me 4 hours to ride from Richmond to Jamestown but 6 hours back. I did enjoy the ride to Jamestown from Richmond better than coming back but I think that was also because of the wind. I really loved the downhill as I got closer to Richmond.
Overall I am really glad I did the trail but I don't need to do it again. There are many other trails I want to do; I am really glad I did this one at least once. I feel very accomplished. This was my longest ride I have done as an overnight trip.
We only had one day to ride so rode from the Herring Creek trailhead to Jamestown and then back. We found the trail to be what most have stated previously. Signage was great, the asphalt trail was in great shape and it was not very crowded (we rode on Thursday). As other have stated there are not many facilities so pack food and water. Yes, there were some hills on that section but nothing crazy in our opinion. We gave it an "A". Would have been A+ if there had been even some port-a-johns here and there.
As stated in the last review, you cannot enter any circumstances ride the Amtrak train back to Richmond from Williamsburg with E bikes! While indeed, my wife and I managed to do that we will clearly be the last people to ever be allowed to do so. To say that it was a nightmare is a huge understatement. We expect to be inducted into the Virginia railroad museum Hall of Fame in the future as the only couple to ever ride the Virginia Trail and return with E bikes on a train. Of this, we are very proud and glad to be trendsetter such as those that sat down at the sit in the 60s in the 70s for equal rights.
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