Find the top rated birding trails in Pulaski, 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.
I accidentally found this on a run from my hotel. I was running through a very hilly neighborhood and literally ran into it. It is a good surface. As I was running northwest, I ran toward the battle site and it was very pleasant. As they develop the trail system, it will improve. The parking lot at the town end is great but there is no map of the trail and no information on the trail or how to donate. It is a lost opportunity to generate support. Many of us like to donate to these kinds of efforts. I am giving a 3 as it is a short trail and I am usually cycling.
I got on the bike at the Galax, VA Trailhead at 7 a.m.. You have to pay for parking which is uncommon for the trails I have ridden to date. At that time of day, I only saw one other cyclist in my first hour on the trail. While I would have loved to ride the entire length of the trail, I did not have 100+ miles in my legs and I still had a 5 hour drive to Dad's in Washington, PA. So I rode out 25 miles and turned around for a 50 mile ride.
Like the Great Allegheny Passage, I cannot say enough great things about this trail. The gravel surface was well maintained and I had no issues with my gravel bike riding the trail. Note that it is also used by horses and there were some piles to avoid, particularly on the bridges. They were infrequent, but noticeable. But it is a multiuse trail so no deductions for that in my mind. This trail is rural. Galax was a small town and there are few towns along the way. When riding gravel I use a camelbak instead of water bottles as bottles get dirty from the dust kicking up from the tires and dirt makes the drinks a touch less refreshing. My camelbak was near empty after my 50 miles. You will see a water bottle on the bike in the photos. Again since this trail is so remote, I use it as a first aid kit with basic first aid items, sun tan lotion, and a swiss army knife. On very long rides I use the second bottle to carry gels, bars, and other things to eat.
The scenery is breathtaking. The trestles were beautiful, the bridges amazing, and the tunnel closest to Galax was incredible. The view of the dam on the New River was also pretty cool. I encountered plenty of wild life. I saw many deer. The last one certainly startled me as I did not see it in the woods and it jumped out on the trail only about 10 yards in front of me and ran down the trail for about a quarter mile. I did let out a little scream as I was not expecting it and could not close the gap to draft. Also saw some wild turkeys, lots of little critters, and some cows relaxing in the New River having a drink.
I will return to ride more of this trail. Maybe next year when I go to Dad's for Father's Day, I will stay at the other end of the trail and do an out and back from the other side. But I would rather go back and ride the entire trail over two days completing it twice.
Excellent ride, great scenery, and enough "must see" items like the tunnels and bridges make this a 10 gear ride on my rating scale. (assuming a 10 gear cassette).
well maintained trail. easy to find. nice scenery
June 6, 2018-
Parked at the west trailhead. There is room for about 6 cars about 50 yards from the hard surface road. My dog and I hiked about three miles to where the trail descended into a hollow where there once was a railroad trestle. We then turned around and came back due to lack of time.
This part of the trail is nearly flat and level. Rhododendrons in full bloom. Several springs where dog drank and cooled his feet. Took about 2-1/2 hours for a leisurely 6 mile round trip. Trail is wide and clear with little brush or limbs. I suggest long pants or long socks as there were just a few briers and nettles. Also a mud hole where you will likely get your shoes wet.
We encountered few gnats and mosquitoes, but it was windy and cool.
At about the three mile point going east, the trail depends steeply into about a 600 foot deep ravine, but it looked like the trail was well worn and had switchbacks.
Suggest setting up a shuttle with a vehicle at the far end (about 4 miles) so you don’t have to double back.
Or you could walk back on the hard surface road, not much traffic during the week.
One of the nicest and easiest trails in this area. Has some interesting history told by a placard on the east side of the gorge.
Your grandma could hike this trail with ease.
Great paved trail following the river around Mount Airy the real hometown of Andy Griiffin and the basis for Mayberry in his show. Plenty of parking at the trailheads.
This trail is fabulous. The view of the New River is beautiful. Gorgeous blooming flowers line the trails. It’s downhill, just a little, as you follow the riverbed. There are amazing rock formations and a tunnel. Take plenty of water and snacks. There are no restaurants along the way and exactly one convenience store. We saw butterflies, chipmunks, peacocks, and a snake.
Very nice trail parking at Commerce Ave. Saw one other user my day visiting the trail. Smooth surface, very scenic with long vistas across valley of distant mountains plus section paralleling Craigs creek. Would love to see rest of the right of way developed into a trail.
We reserved a primitive site in Foster Falls State Park at the Mill Race Campground. I don't suppose we really needed a reservation, because we were the only ones there for the three days we were there. Actually, it was only two days, because we arrived late on the first day. But, the folks at the office were very helpful in arranging for our late arrival. Our paperwork packet was posted at the campsite and there was a bundle of wood and some kindling stacked and waiting for us.
The trail North to Pulaski is plenty wide and has a good surface for riding, though there are some soft spots here and there. We had to dodge around a lot of rocks in some areas, but for a rail trail cut out of rock along a river, I wasn't complaining. We stopped to move rocks and large limbs off of the path when we could.
There is a lot to look at along the trail and as being able to look at stuff is one of the great things about riding a trike, I had a great time and took a lot of pictures.
The Dora Trail, a walking trail connecting the New River Trail to downtown Pulaski, is loose gravel until you reach the paved portion. Some stretches are better than others, but we found ourselves dragging our trikes though a couple places because it was so soft.
Going the extra couple of miles and dragging our trikes through loose gravel was well worth the effort. Our reward was lunch and there is probably no better place to have lunch in Pulaski than "Al's on First". It was early afternoon and warm. They were serving on the patio, so we could keep an eye on our trikes while we rested and had our lunch. I had a chicken salad sandwich that was every bit as good as any I've eaten anywhere in the world...and I've been around the world...twice. My wife had a baked potato that she said was to die for. I think she was just really hungry. It did look good though. Definitely plan to have lunch there if you get into town.
Another great thing about downtown Pulaski is Pulaski Bikes. Their shop is right on the trail and they were very helpful. One of my bar end shifters had vibrated loose to the point it was becoming difficult to shift. I wasn't looking forward to making the return trip worrying about my shifter. No worries; I stopped and asked if there was anything they could do to help me and two of the guys came out and fixed me right up. I will be forever thankful for their help.
We had a great time on the trail and are looking forward to returning and finishing it with a trip out of Fries on up toward Foster Falls. We did the section from Galax to Fries Junction earlier this year, so we just have that one section to complete.
My first time on this trail. It was fabulous. From the great bike I rented from Blue Ridge Bikes in Galax to the excellent riding conditions. The trail is a flat, easy, fast ride but don't go too fast the scenery is fantastic. I can't wait to ride it again!! Oh yes, the lady at the trail shop was great. I bought two shirts. A t shirt to show off and a tech shirt for running and riding. Thanks to the park for such nice souvenir offerings!!
Definitely ride north to south. I did opposite and found last part of trail from New river to Pulaski is a long uphill slog at the end of a long ride. Also, be aware that the trail cut off to downtown Pulaski train station if you are headed north takes you by the sewage treatment plant which is ugly and smelly. Trail condition generally great until this cut off into Pulaski. Also on this cutoff there is soft mushy gravel. Definitely not a bike friendly surface. Avoid this cutoff and instead keep straight to Dora junction to complete the ride.
We loved biking this trail this summer in August. It was shaded , well maintained and beautiful. Following the river was awesome. We camped at Foster Falls which was primitive camping and well maintained. The river was there to cool off after a long bike ride and the sound of the river lulled one to sleep. Also, within 15 minutes was a town that had a grocery store to buy supplies that were needed or to eat out if one wanted. Biking this trail in autumn would be picturesque.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
