Winchester Green Circle

Like its name suggests, this is a circular pedestrian and bike trail in Winchester, Virginia. A popular trail, the trails appeal lies not just in its lovely landscaping, or simply as a welcoming space for physical activity, but as a conduit connecting destinations of natural, historic and recreational interest in the city. Notable stops along the path include Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve; Shawnee Springs, site of the largest civil war field hospital, Old Town Winchester, Jim Barnett Park and many others.

The trail project was more than two decades ago as an important transportation and tourism asset. So far, 5.3 of the envisioned 6.3 miles have been constructed. Five sections of the trail are currently open to users:

Town Run Linear Park Phase 1: Begins at Jim Burnett Park and runs for a mile to East Pall St in Old Town Winchester. Stop to explore at Shawnee Springs Preserve, site of the largest Civil War field hospital.
Town Run Linear Park Phase 2: Mirrors Town Run as it goes from East Pall Street to East Cecil Street. Make sure to visit the historic Patsy Cline House (608 S. Kent Street)
Old Town Winchester: makes use of existing sidewalks and streets to link the previous segment to the Amherst Street trail. There’s lots to do here, with plenty of shopping and dining options.
Amherst Street Corridor: the postcard perfect tree-lined pathway travels alongside Amherst Street, from the Old Town center, past the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley to Winchester Medical Center.
Meadow Branch Avenue: landscaped linear path traveling through the Meadow Branch neighborhood to Abrams Creek Preserve.
Abrams Creek Wetland Preserve: a 25-acre scenic natural area, home to about a dozen rare plant species only found in this part of Virginia. It runs from Harvest Drive, follows along Jubal Early Drive and through the preserve, to the Merriman’s Merriman’s and Pennypacker Springs and Stonehouse Court.
Jubal Early Drive/Harvest Drive to Millwood Avenue (proposed): the final link in the chain will eventually connect the Abrams Creek Wetland Preserve to Town Run Phase 1.

Parking and Trail Access

There are plenty of parking options along the different trail segments: there is on-street parking available along most of the trail. Additional locations include along various segments include:

Town Run Linear Park Phase 1: Jim Barnett Park (1001 E Cork St); Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center (1400 S Pleasant Valley Rd); Shawnee Springs Preserve (Hollingsworth Dr).

Town Run Linear Park Phase 2: Court Square Autopark (E Boscawen St)

Old Town Winchester: Downtown parking garages

Abrams Creek Wetland Preserve: Abrams Crossing commercial area

Beautiful!

August 2020 oliviaives698

This trail is beautiful. You walk and see the colorful wildflowers, birds and can hear the cows splashing in the near by ponds. If your lucky you can stand on the bridge and watch the train go by. These simple pleasures in life might not be for everyone, but for me...I enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty of this trail. Yes, there is a part where you walk by the roads, SO WHAT....This trail is safe, well maintained and LEVEL.

They tried

January 2019 toothycow

Winchester isn’t friendly to bicyclists or runners. So I think in effort they tried to create a nice running/ biking loop but failed. The sidewalks are dangerous if you try to run on them in the city and the green circle still makes you have to run on such treacherous terrain. Also you still have to cross traffic. Pedestrian bridge would help but I know that’s costly. Bottom line it’s an effort made of a broken circle. Consulting runners would have been helpful.

City & Sidewalk Riding

August 2017 lirpakooz

If you're okay with riding along side traffic, and stopping at red lights, then this "trail" might be for you. The local commuters don't appear to be very bike friendly. After hubby almost got hit by a car when we had the blinking right of way, and the next car almost clipped me, we turned around and left the "trail". Perhaps it is better done by foot. A lot of hills, not flat. Paved and concrete sidewalk. The park is nice, but cyclists are not permitted to ride around it. We chose to explore Shenandoah University by bike, and may returns to this path as walkers instead of cycling. Maybe you'd like this circle, but it is not for us. Happy Trails!