Virginia Bike Trails
This page is about off-road bike trails, bike paths, greenways, and rail-trails. For on-road bike routes, see our Virginia Bike Routes page.
Maintaining a comprehensive listing of all Virginia bike trails would be a monumental task. Some local and regional directories are fairly complete and regularly updated, with useful maps, descriptions, driving directions, etc. So we’re compiling a listing of these, along with some individual trails.
We’re still working on this page. Please send information, suggestions, links, etc. to webmaster@vabike.org
Statewide Trail Directories
The Rails to Trails Conservancy maintains a regularly updated, comprehensive listing of rail-trails at their Traillink site. If your local trails are not listed, you can help RTC map them.
Northern Virginia
The Washington and Old Dominion Trailis a 45 mile, 100′ wide park connecting much of northern Virginia, from Shirlington at the eastern end to Purcellville at the western, running through Vienna, Reston, Herndon, and Leesburg.
For information about trails close to the DC area, Arlington County has a trail directory at CommuterPage.com
Though it hasn’t been updated in awhile, Bike Washington’s trail directory is comprehensive and informative, with nice maps.
Central Virginia
The High Bridge Trailruns through Cumberland, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties, and the towns of Burkeville, Farmville, Pamplin City, Prospect and Rice. As of June 2009, 26 of 34 miles have been completed.
Southwest Virginia
Dan Casey’s Blue Ridge Biking Archive is one of the best general guides to biking in southwest Virginia, on-road or off.
The mountain biking page at Roanoke Outiside is excellent.
The Roanoke River Greenway is coming along nicely.
The Huckleberry Trail runs 6 miles between downtown Blacksburg and the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg. It’s popular for both commuting and recreation. Soon to be extended from the mall to the Christiansburg Rec Center; and at the other end to Pandapas Pond, a popular mountain biking and hiking area.
Radford has a great trail network along the New River in Bisset Park, and up through Wildwood Park. These are great for family rides with small children. An unused railway trestle across the New River could someday give the Fairlawn neighborhood direct access to these parks.
The New River Trailruns 57 miles along the New River from Pulaski to Galax. The recently dedicated New River Trail Extension connects with downtown Pulaski.
The Virginia Creeper Trailis known all over the US and beyond, for its scenic beauty and unique all-downhill possibilities. A must-do for all cyclists! Novices can take a shuttle to the top of the hill, and ride downhill for 17 miles. Seasoned pedalers can ride both ways, uphill and down.
Southeast Virginia — Hampton Roads
The Virginia Capital Trailwill connect the past and present capitals of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Richmond, along the Scenic Route 5 corridor. As of spring 2008, 38 out of 55 miles are either completed, under construction, or in development. Governor Kaine hopes to have the trail completed by 2010. VDOT also maintains a guide to the Capital Trail.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m looking for a 25-35mile on-road (but safe) cycling route that would include a few Virginia wineries, especially around Middleburg area.
Thanks!
What a great Resource rich post!
In March i spent a week with relatives, some I’d not seen in 37 years, in Wirtz and the surrounding area.
While I did no cycling I covered a lot of ground, and was in awe of the countryside, and its beauty, and the amazing , asnd sometimes convoluted, 2 lane roads that cyclists share with motorists to get around the area.
I so much want to ride those roads, but may never get the chance to see them again.
Hello I was interested in the rt 67 and rt 80 bike trail from Honaker Va to the Breaks Interstate Park I see bikes come through daily.
I serve as the vice mayor we have plans to set up a bike hostile on rt 80. We have buildings open to rent in the town for bike shops at a great rental price
Thanks, David Eaton
Hi,
I’m looking for a decent set of roads to ride from Northern Virginia back down toward North Carolina – sort of along the I-95 and I-85 corridor. I will need to stay in hotels for my ride. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Donna
hello.
looking for good mountain biking trails in the Leesburg area. any ideas?
I am conducting research for a paper on cyclist safety on route five in Virginia. Has anyone had experiences they would like to share regarding close encounters with vehicles? Also, what do you honestly think of the new bike trail along route five? Do you plan on using it, or do you still prefer the road?
P.S. I am looking for an avid cyclist to interview via e-mail/telephone. Would anyone be interested? You can contact me via e-mail ruffincp@jmu.edu