Staunton, VA Birding Trails and Maps

295 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Staunton?

Find the top rated birding trails in Staunton, 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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Activities
Length
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Type
18 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail

2.16 mi
State: VA
Crushed Stone

Greenbrier River Trail

77 mi
State: WV
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone

Jackson River Scenic Trail

14.3 mi
State: VA
Gravel

John W. Warner Parkway Trail

1.6 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Lifecore Trail

3.3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Saunders-Monticello Trail

2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone

South River Greenway Trail

2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

6.9 mi
State: VA
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Chessie Nature Trail

7.13 mi
State: VA
Boardwalk, Dirt, Gravel

East Fork Trail (WV)

8 mi
State: WV
Dirt

Hawksbill Greenway

2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Lumberjack Trail

5.7 mi
State: WV
Dirt

West Fork Trail

22 mi
State: WV
Ballast, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Rivanna Trail

21.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Coal Tower Trail

0.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

James River Foot Bridge

0.12 mi
State: VA
Boardwalk

Seneca Creek Trail

5 mi
State: WV
Dirt

Widney Park Rail-Trail

0.8 mi
State: WV
Crushed Stone
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview The Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail is located below Rockfish Gap, with a 2.3 mile crushed-stone trail that leads to the tunnel between the community of Afton on its eastern side and the city of...
VA 2.16 mi Crushed Stone
Overview    The Greenbrier River Trail weaves a path of 77 miles through lush forest and rural small towns of West Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands, along the longest undammed river in the eastern...
WV 77 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone
Overview Waterfalls, river views, rugged rock formations, vibrant fall foliage, and delicate flowers in the spring: These are the sights that put the scenery in Jackson River Scenic Trail. This...
VA 14.3 mi Gravel
The enhanced bike-ped trail snakes alongside the John W. Warner Parkway for 1.6 miles, from East Rio Road down to McIntire Park. It mostly lies on the route of the old Southern Railway.  Points of...
VA 1.6 mi Asphalt
Fishersville is a small community located between Staunton and Waynesboro in Augusta County. This pedestrian and cycling path was added as part of Fishersville's road improvements and useful for both...
VA 3.3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
While the Saunders-Monticello trail leads to the home of one the United States most prominent presidents, it is quickly becoming a destination in itself. It’s less than ten minutes’ drive from...
VA 2 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The South River Greenway is a 2-mile multi-use trail along the South River through Waynesboro's Downtown corridor. Views along the way include those of the river, Blue Ridge Mountains, Constitution...
VA 2 mi Asphalt
Overview The 6.9-mile Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail offers a quintessential rail trail experience in central Virginia, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville (less than an hour’s drive...
VA 6.9 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Overview The Chessie Nature Trail travels for just over 7 miles through breathtaking rural Virginia countryside, following mile markers left behind by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad that ran this...
VA 7.13 mi Boardwalk, Dirt, Gravel
The scenic East Fork Trail follows the East Fork of the Greenbrier River through hemlock stands and pine plantations and past many small waterfalls, extending 8 miles from the Island Campground in...
WV 8 mi Dirt
The Hawksbill Greenway is a 2-mile non-motorized pathway in the town of Luray, Virginia, two hours from Washington D.C. It extends from Linden Street in the west to the Flowering Forest in the east....
VA 2 mi Asphalt
Located in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest—a hotspot for mountain biking and rock climbing—the Lumberjack Trail offers a scenic hike on an old...
WV 5.7 mi Dirt
The West Fork Trail snakes its way through remote mountain valleys for 22 miles in the Monongahela National Forest. The soothing gurgle of the river complements the trail’s serene environment of thick...
WV 22 mi Ballast, Crushed Stone, Gravel
Spanning more than 20 miles, the Rivanna Trail surrounds Charlottesville, connecting several parks along the way and providing a recreational outdoor amenity for city dwellers. The trail has a mix of...
VA 21.5 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
The Coal Tower Trail is an 8-10-foot wide path adjacent to Water Street connecting downtown Charlottesville to Carlton Road and the Meade Avenue Trail. The tree-lined path also parallels an active...
VA 0.5 mi Asphalt
The James River Foot Bridge carries the Appalachian Trail over the James River in Snowden, Virginia, approximately 20 miles northwest of Lynchburg. The bridge was built on the piers of a demolished...
VA 0.12 mi Boardwalk
Located in the Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest—a hotspot for mountain biking and rock climbing—the Seneca Creek Trail is a scenic feast of streams, meadows,...
WV 5 mi Dirt
Widney Park Rail-Trail is located in the quiet West Virginia community of Durbin. The old railroad town has a charming Main Street with welcoming shops and restaurants and the rail-trail is located...
WV 0.8 mi Crushed Stone

Recent Trail Reviews

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Blissful early morning ride

October, 2024 by trailsforall

Started my journey at Piney River trailhead very early on a crisp October morning. The temperature was 37 degrees, but the sun was rising, and there was no wind. Riding east, my only companions were squirrels, deer and the many birds flying overhead. I LOVE the peace and quiet this trail provides with the squishy crunch of the finely crushed gravel beneath my tires, and the gentle rush of water spilling over rocks in the Piney and Tye Rivers. No nearby roads or traffic meant for a little over an hour of pure escape. The farm and forest scenery and multiple bridges spanning the river provided ever changing views. I was thankful for the regular milepost markers, posted every 1/4 mile along the entire trail length. On the return trip I counted 75 spins of my crank arm to traverse a 1/4 mile section of the trail. The path was well-maintained throughout, with just the right amount of trail-side markers, benches, and memorials to provide short breaks. I didn't use the restrooms, but they were available at the western trailhead and at Roses Mill trailhead near the western end. If I had one wish for this trail, it would be to extend along the original 20 miles of the original Blue Ridge Railway right of way. I'm not sure if that's possible, but I feel it would make this trail garner more attention than it currently receives. The trail's location between Charlottesville and Lynchburg is in one of the prettiest parts of Virginia, and is just south of the many breweries, vineyards and distilleries along Route 151 in Nelson County. It is also a short drive from Wintergreen resort. Come check it out!!

Greenbrier River Trail

No good for trikes

September, 2024 by lprosner

Most of this trail consists of a wide grassy median with two narrow gravel ruts on either side. This is great for bicycles but recumbent trikes, or anything with more than two wheels, will be forced to ride with at least one wheel up on the grass making for a slow rough ride. I rode almost the entire trail over two days on my trike, from mile marker 25 to 77, and it is a beautiful trail -- for bicycles. Short sections that are in full shade in deep forest are pure crushed stone, no grass. This makes it clear that when the trail was originally constructed it did not have a grassy median; the grassy median is due to bad maintenance. Politicians love to attend ribbon cutting ceremonies for new infrastructure, and the press will cover new stuff, but who ever read about politicians attending a ceremony to celebrate routine annual maintenance? Build and neglect.

Jackson River Scenic Trail

Shady, scenic and peaceful

September, 2024 by tarheeltim76

My wife and I rode the Jackson River Scenic Trail over two days in late summer, Intervale to Smith Bridge the first day and Smith Bridge to the end on the second. We thoroughly enjoyed this trail. The trail was shady, scenic and peaceful. It is one of the widest, flattest and smoothest rail-trails I've ever been on, perfect for kids or casual riders who don't like incessant bumps or grinding grades. The trail is well equipped with picnic areas and restrooms. (No interpretive signage however; it would be a nice upgrade to showcase the human and natural history of the area.) Two of the best sights are located just off the trail. A small sign will direct you to a suspension footbridge over the river. It's well worth the detour to bounce over the bridge. (A sign warns you not to bounce, but just walking across the thing sets it into motion!) Just below the Smith Bridge parking area is the decommissioned Smith Bridge, open to foot traffic only. It offers big views of the river. A couple of caveats: 1) While the trail traces the river for most of its length, there are no places to get wet directly on the trail. A public access area just off the trail at Smith Bridge has a shallow area perfect for getting wet. 2) The lower portion of the trail is located a few miles from a huge paper mill. Depending on weather conditions, you may smell it.

Accordion

Greenbrier River Trail

A True Getaway

September, 2024 by tarheeltim76

Some friends and I rode the entire Greenbrier River Trail as part of a four-day 180-mile bike tour. (The entire route is part of Adventure Cycling's Short Routes collection at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46271108)

On the Greenbrier River Trail, you're enfolded by green mountains, flowing water, wildflowers, solitude, and lots of places to get wet. And quiet! The near-total lack of cell coverage meant no dinging intrusions from the "real world". So relaxing to disconnect and reconnect!

There is a remote feel to this trail, but you’re never far from camping or water. The primitive campsites along the trail are free and first-come first-served. The campsite at Mile 28.5 was an especially nice place to swim and gather around a campfire. There is also an adjacent Hipcamp and Watoga State Park for those who want a hot shower.

Cass, a former lumber boomtown, has a steam excursion train a small museum for rail buffs. Marlinton offers a respite to trail food, including a combination bike shop-café. Jack Horner's Corner, just off the trail in Seebert, has good food and ice cream.

Several things set this trail apart: the feel of isolation, the abundant camping options and the trailside displays showcasing the human and natural history of the Greenbrier valley.

Greenbrier River Trail

Out & Backs from River Trail Hollow HipCamp about Milepost 46

August, 2024 by pqrgkhzcbf

Beautiful scenic trail !! I rode it in entirety over two days doing out & backs from near Seebert. I particularly enjoyed the remoteness and the beautiful river views. I’ll definitely revisit this trail on a regular annual basis. My drive to get there was 6 1/2 hours, but getting to drive through the Monongahela National Forest to get there was a bonus. I saw bears, deer, all sorts of birds and other wildlife along the way.

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

July, 2024 by amy2paul

Paul and I are continuing our RV travels and crossing off bike trails from our bucket list along the way. Today we rode the VA Blue Ridge trail. Beautiful, natural trail with crushed stone path (I would have preferred asphalt), but it wasn't bad. I just had to be careful and watch for rocks and kept praying I didn't pop a tire. Off road or hybrid bikes do fine. I ride a Lectric Trike with wider tires and husband rides a hybrid type bike and did fine. It is nicely shaded about 95% of the way. No road noise. Two rivers parallel the path making nice scenery. Some ladies ahead of us spotted a beautiful black bear walking along the shore of the river and got a great video clip. We had a deer cross in front of us. Benches are scattered along the trail. The only thing I would change would be asphalt instead of crushed stone but otherwise a great trail to ride!

South River Greenway Trail

nice but surrounded by invasive plants

July, 2024 by kelly235

Being a native plant enthusiast, walking this trail is disturbing to me because of all the invasive plants that edge the path. Instead of enjoying the greenery, I have to look away from it to have pleasure on this walk.

West Fork Trail

Beautiful But Flawed

June, 2024 by bradboll

Some lovely scenery and wildlife, especially wetland species. Definitely a wilder feel than many. There are several issues.

The first is the trail surface. While impediments like downed trees are obviously taken care of, the trail surface itself doesn’t look to have been renewed since the trail was first built. The surface varies from fine gravel to thick gravel to mud to grass. Grass is the dominant surface. There are places where horse hoof and ATV tire prints have hardened into speed reduction bumps, which are jarring. Don’t assume you will be able to maintain a speed similar to other rail trails. Having completed the trail from Glady to Durbin, we ended up riding the gravel road back to our vehicle in Glady - more climbing, but a good trade off. For reference, we’re running 2.0” (50mm) and 2.35” tires on rigid steel framed bikes.

The second issue is lack of amenities. There are no obvious campsites, no pit toilets, no wells. This undeveloped aspect will likely appeal to some even if the trail surface doesn’t. Probably due to the undeveloped nature of the trail, and the fact that we rode on weekdays, we saw no other trail users this trip.

The last issue is connectivity. Currently, combining this trail with the nearby Greenbrier River Trail means a road ride of at least 16 miles. Bridge the gap with trail and make improvements to the West Fork and you’d have a trail system of approximately 118 miles long, which would bring many more riders to the area.

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Pleasant ride...

June, 2024 by mckeeverj72

What can I say, pleasant ride, 5 stars, will be returning soon enough to ride again.

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

river access points!

April, 2024 by lucinda.f.peters

This is a great trail. It has many access points to the river which my dog loved. She began recognizing the access points because she loves the water. Not too busy on Celebrate Trails Day. Only passed a few people. Beautiful trail to enjoy water, flowers, quiet, and nature!

Greenbrier River Trail

Hiked this trail in three days. Very scenic and peaceful. A lot of history to take in and enjoy.

November, 2023 by wayne.walkjr

Hiked this trail in three days. Very scenic and peaceful. A lot of history to take in and enjoy.

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Great trail for our first RTC bike. Trail nicely maintained. Saw some wildlife and great views of the river.

October, 2023 by gdwindowpane

Great trail for our first RTC bike. Trail nicely maintained. Saw some wildlife and great views of the river.

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