Remember when you were a kid pedaling your favorite two-wheeler through the neighborhood? Recall the fun, the freedom, and the feel of the wind blowing through your hair as you bicycled about, soaking in the summertime. We may not be able to go back to the carefree days of our youth, but we can get back on the bicycle, taking our friends and families exploring on Virginia’s bike trails, making new memories to last a lifetime.

And when you think of family bicycle rides in Virginia, dismiss that image of fighting your way along a slender passage of a busy street, with cars whizzing by a foot from your tires. Instead, visualize this: pleasant paved pathways free of autos, trails designed for human-powered travel, places like the Virginia Capital Trail, where you and your loved ones roll in tandem through the James River Valley. Or picture the pea-gravel New River Trail, a converted railroad line now snaking through eye-appealing countryside. Imagine pedaling along Virginia’s High Bridge Trail, a bicycling icon, with its impressive span that gave the path its name.

Read further to find the Virginia trail for your family bike ride, and when you hit the trail, look for that gleam in your child’s eye – and maybe your own.

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Photo Credit: Ian Roberge @4000hikes

Nearest Town: Virginia Beach

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a three-mile-long, one-way path that runs astride the shoreline of vibrant Virginia Beach. The main path is 28 feet wide to accommodate crowds but the boardwalk has a separate parallel path for bicyclers. It’s fun to cruise the margin dividing sand and sea from the hotels, restaurants and action that is Virginia Beach. You’ve got to get your picture taken in front of the 24-foot high statue of Neptune. Check out the other nautical sculptures. Not only are bike rentals offered but you can actually join guided bike tour of the boardwalk and adjacent areas.

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Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Nearest Town: Piney River

This 6.5-mile one-way gem of a trail was once a spur rail lines linking to a rock quarry. The abandoned track was later converted into the under-the-radar rail trail it is today. The path starts near the hamlet of Piney River, at the Piney River Depot. It traverses down the Piney River valley for four miles to meet the Tye River. The gravel path then continues for a couple of miles along the Tye. 

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Tobacco Heritage Trail

Tobacco Heritage Trail
Photo Credit: Kelly J. Mihalcoe LLC

Nearest Town: La Crosse

The Tobacco Heritage Trail is a converted rail trail stretching east-west through small towns, serene farms and rolling woods. Slated to stretch over 40 miles between Chase City and Lawrenceville, the ever-expanding path has some excellent completed segments for you to enjoy. Start your adventure at the large parking area in La Crosse, located just off I-85, then head east on the rail trail into woods and farms. Roll into Brodnax after four miles. From there you can backtrack or continue through the small town. Beyond Brodnax, the trail travels eight miles through lush woods along Evans Creek to the hamlet of Charlie Hope.

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Riverwalk Trail

Nearest Town: Danville

The paved Riverwalk Trail presents nine miles of paved pathway on a trail network that continues to grow. Start out at relaxing Dan Daniel Park, then pick up the paved path running alongside the Dan River in the heart of Danville. You can travel in either direction. Heading northwest, upstream along the Dan, you will pass several bridges crossing the river to downtown. Reach an overlook near the Union Street Bridge after a couple of miles. The trail continues upriver and is being expanded. Leaving the Dan Daniel Park in the other direction, downriver, it is less than two miles to Anglers Park, where a paved track leaves the Dan River north through pleasant woods, intermingled with mountain bike trails. The main Riverwalk continues east beyond along the Dan River, reaching a turnaround.

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Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

Lake Drummond
Photo Credit: Trevor Frost @tbfrost

Nearest Town: Chesapeake

This level and linear trail runs for eight miles one way along the historic Dismal Swamp Canal. The ride is anything but dismal as you parallel the wildlife-rich canal. The path, marked every quarter-mile, borders Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. A pair of restrooms are situated along the route. Get a family portrait taken by the statue of Chessie the bear at the trailhead. 

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Riverwalk Trail

Nearest Town: Lynchburg

Lynchburg’s Riverwalk Trail follows the James River past Percival’s Island Natural Area and downriver for 6 miles in one direction in a decidedly rural experience leading away from Lynchburg. Start your ride on the paved path at Washington and Concord streets, where parking is available and bikes can be rented at Bikes Unlimited. From this trailhead you can also follow the Riverwalk Trail upriver through the heart of Lynchburg then join the paved Blackwater Creek Trail. Pass through the Hollins Mill Tunnel and go three miles to end at the Cancer Awareness Garden. Part of the pedal traverses the Blackwater Creek Natural Area. On your return ride down Blackwater Creek, use the paved Point of Honor Trail.

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Virginia Capital Trail

Virginia Capital Trail
Photo Credit: Big Orange Frame

Nearest Towns: Richmond, Charles City, Williamsburg

The paved, signed, and well cared for Virginia Capital Trail courses through the lower James River Valley, linking Richmond to Williamsburg, and connecting smaller communities in between. The completed trail offers 52 miles of pedaling pleasure.

Explore Virginia’s earliest colonial history on this 13.4-mile out and back pedal. Start your adventure at Jamestown Settlement, a living history museum adjacent to the site of the first successful English settlement in the new world. The trail does parallel two-lane VA Highway 5 in places. However, a vegetational screen between the path and the road does wonders for the ride. Initial segments traverse fields. A host of historical markers vies for your attention. Chickahominy Riverfront Park makes a good turnaround point, where the Chickahominy River and Deep Creek flow together before meeting the James River.

Rent bikes from James City County Marina, formerly known as Eco Discovery Park, located at the eastern trailhead.

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Burke Lake Trail

Nearest Town: Fairfax Station

Make your nearly five-mile loop at Burke Lake Park, an 8880-acre space with a dizzying array of activities in addition to bicycling. Regularly touted as one of the best fitness trails in America, the mostly gravel path circling Burke Lake makes for a fine family bicycle outing. The pathway curves with the lake, crossing the dam and visiting quiet coves. Additional activities at the park include disc golf, mini-golf, a miniature train, fishing pier, carousel, and ice cream parlor. You can even camp out here and do it all.

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York River State Park

York River State Park
Photo Credit: Jeff Taylor

Nearest Town: Norge

Conveniently located off I-64 east of Richmond, York River State Park presents around 20 miles of trail open to bicyclers. Most of the paths are natural surface, but don’t let that deter you — the park trails are generally not steep. Consider starting on the Backbone Trail, a mostly level track that links to other park paths. The Backbone Trail alone makes a five-mile there and back, but it is easy to increase your mileage. I recommend adding a short loop including the Whitetail Trail and the Dogwood Lane Trail. There are also specific trails dedicated to mountain biking only in addition to the above trails.

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Riverway Trail

Nearest Town: Radford

Radford is located on the big and famous New River, where you'll find the Riverway Trail. Start your ride at Bisset Park, where bikes are available for rent from Tangent Outfitters. Following the trail upriver, you will leave Bisset Park, making your way on the paved path to Veterans Park and Dudley’s Landing, a wildlife viewing area. Trace a bend in the river and this segment ends after two miles. Backtrack to Bisset Park, then follow the paved path up Connellys Run. The trail tunnels under West Main Street to enter Wildwood Park. Roam through the greenspace bridging Connellys Run and onward to Wadsworth Street for three more miles of out and back bicycling.

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Belle Isle State Park

Belle Isle State Park
Photo Credit: Jim Stewart

Nearest Town: Warsaw

The park is located on Virginia’s Northern Neck, a peninsula of land in northeastern Virginia between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers, so water is always nearby. A 10-mile network of trails — most of them gravel doubletrack paths ideal for casual bicyclists — course through Belle Isle State Park, a land bordered by the tidal Rappahannock River and its tributaries. The park as a whole is very quiet, so you can add bicycling paved park roads to the trail system. Pedal by wetlands galore, overlook waters bordering the park, or fields and forests.

Start your 8-mile trek at the bike rental area, then head down Creek Landing Road to pedal the Mulberry Creek boardwalk and get up close with the water. Next, take the Mud Creek Trail to the Watch House Trail, passing wetlands and woods. Head out to the Neck Fields Trail to Brewers Point, enjoying more aquatic vistas. Backtrack, then take the Porpoise Creek Trail to a wildlife blind. Scan for blue herons and osprey. Stop at the picnic shelter nearby and overlook the breadth of water and beach below.

Rent bicycles at the park by the hour or by the day. Pedal directly from the rental area and tour the park.

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Newport News Park Bikeway

Nearest Town: Newport News

The Newport News Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States, and the 5.3-mile loop Newport News Park Bikeway is just one of over 30 miles of trails at this park. While the bikeway is not paved, it is well maintained, making for a smooth ride. It traverses rich woods through the 7,000-plus acre park. Part of the trail connects to the George Washington’s Headquarters at the Battle of Yorktown, a portion of Colonial National Historical Park. Here you can extend your ride if you please, on one of the tour roads (You will share the road with cars and pedestrians here, however, speed limits are low). The Battlefield Tour Route is 7 miles, while the Encampment Tour Route is 9 miles. However, the interconnected nature of the battlefield roads makes shortening your route easy.

It is fun and easy to make the 5.3-mile bikeway loop, so after your ride, add other park activities to the agenda. Newport News Park is one of Virginia’s most attractive and well-maintained urban preserves. The Newport News Park Bikeway showcases much of the park. Within this large multi-purpose preserve is the site of the Battle of Dam No. 1, a designated stop on the Virginia Civil War Trails tour. This Civil War battle site is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The hiker trail system overlain on the battlefield is scenic and comprehensive. Allow time to enjoy the facilities at Newport News Park, including additional trails, an archery range, playgrounds, picnic areas with shelters, a fine campground with electric and non-electric campsites, an arboretum, history exhibits, nature programs, golf courses, even 30-acre model airplane field.

Rent bikes at the park’s campground office.

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New River Trail

The New River
Photo Credit: Cameron Davidson

Nearest Towns: Pulaski, Galax

The New River Trail is Virginia’s longest state park, a path extending over 57 miles. The rail trail courses along a cinder bed and over trestles that span Chestnut Creek and the New River. Occasional rapids and riverside bluffs satiate the visual palate. Pass through a 200-foot tunnel, adding mystery to a great trail. The trailside is generally forested, though is more open between Foster Falls and Pulaski, where you pass Claytor Lake, an impoundment of the New River, and location of a fine Virginia State Park.

Make a 14-mile there and back adventure on the New River Trail. Start at Foster Falls, where a state park campground, historic village and gorgeous river scenery are located. Head along the New River toward Austinville. After 1.5 miles, you will pass the historic Shot Tower, where lead bullets were made during early Virginia history. Enjoy more riverside scenery after passing under I-77. Have a picnic at the Austinville access. Ahead, pedal through an old railroad tunnel, adding to the ride. Next comes a high trestle where you can gaze down on the New River. Ahead, reach the Ivanhoe trail access, a good place to turn around, then pedal back to Foster Falls.

Rentals available in Galax, Claytor Lake State Park, Foster Falls near Austinville and Pulaski. Rent at Foster Falls, part of New River State Park, for recommended ride. They offer one-way bike shuttles, too.

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Virginia Creeper Trail

Nearest Towns:  Abingdon, Damascus

The 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail starts high in the mountains then descends along Whitetop Laurel Creek in rich woods and highland streams to reach the trail town of Damascus, a fun place to visit. The Creeper then wanders past South Holston Lake and through field and woods to end at historic Abingdon.

Rent your bike in Damascus then get a shuttle to the top of the Creeper Trail at Whitetop Station. From there it is a 17-mile nearly continuous downhill back to Damascus, doable by even the most casual of bicyclers. The mountain scenery is fantastic and you will gain enjoyable looks at the cascades and pools of Whitetop Laurel Creek, crossing many trestles above the crashing waterway.

Bike rentals available in Damascus and Abingdon.

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Washington & Old Dominion Trail

Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park
Photo Credit: Hannah Armstrong @hannahelizarmstrong

Nearest Towns: Leesburg, Arlington

The W&OD Trail, as it is known, is a paved nine-foot wide path tracing a railroad grade. Near Arlington, it is an urban experience, and becomes more rustic the farther west you go. Over a dozen trailheads make accessing the 45-mile track easy.

Start on the W&OD Trail’s west end at Purcellville’s old train depot. Head east through the small town under shady trees. Open into fields and woods before making your way to the hamlet of Paeonian Springs, about 6 miles one way, making a 12 mile round trip back to Purcellville. It is another mile to Clarks Gap, and the trail’s high point, about 60 feet above the trail elevation in Purcellville, making a 14-mile bike ride.

Bike rentals are available in Purcellville, Herndon, Leesburg, and Reston.

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High Bridge Trail

Nearest Towns: Pamplin City, Farmville, Burkeville

The 31-mile High Bridge Trail travels roughly east-west between Pamplin City and Burkeville with the trail’s namesake High Bridge stretching over a half-mile over the Appomattox River and 125 feet above the waterway, delivering a thrilling ride. It is one of the longest recreational trail bridges in the United States. Multiple trailhead accesses and picnic areas enhance the High Bridge experience.

It is hard not to want to see the park’s namesake, High Bridge, so go ahead and do it. It is a little less than five miles one-way to the span from Farmville, making a 10-mile there and back adventure. If you want to extend the trip, continue another three miles from High Bridge to Rice, creating a 16-mile there-and-back run. Not only are the views stellar from High Bridge but you can picnic on either side of the span.

Rent a bike by the hour or for a full day at High Bridge Bikes in Farmville. Bike reservations are available ahead of time.

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Mount Vernon Trail

Mount Vernon Trail
Photo Credit: Adedayo "Dayo" Kosoko for Visit Alexandria

Nearest Town: Alexandria

The Mount Vernon Trail runs 18 miles to George Washington's estate, passing many sights along the way, including Arlington Memorial Cemetery, Theodore Roosevelt Island, picnic areas, and wildlife preserves. Enjoy a multitude of Potomac River views. The Mount Vernon Trail connects to other paths, including bicycling venue Potomac Heritage Trail.

It is 10 miles one way from Alexandria to Washington’s estate Mount Vernon, making a 20-mile there-and-back trip. Pass the Jones Point Lighthouse, Belle Haven Park, and Dykes Marsh Wildlife Preserve, then Fort Hunt Park. If 20 miles is a bit long for you and the family, cut it short, allowing enough energy to make the return trip.

Big Wheel Bikes in Alexandria has bike rentals available.

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Guest River Gorge Trail

Nearest Town: Coeburn

The Guest River Gorge Trail combines history and natural beauty in the rugged mountains of Southwest Virginia. First pass through the Swede Tunnel, then cross the Guest River – a Virginia State Scenic River -- on a high bridge. Continue down the cliff and bluff rimmed canyon, viewing giant streamside boulders. Pass your first waterfall, then come to a stair-step cascade, set in a rock-rimmed glen, before the trail’s end at the where the Guest River meets the Clinch River.

Since the trail is 5.9 miles long one way, you might as well do the whole thing, making for an 11.8-mile, there-and-back endeavor. There is plenty to see along the way, including tan cliffs, waterfalls formed where tributaries drop into the Guest River, big boulders, streamside pools and shoals. Alluring forest grows wherever rock and trail are not. Huge boulders, fallen from the surrounding cliffs, stand firm in the waterway. Moreover, where the gorge walls were a little too close, the railroad makers blasted it back, creating a passage for the trains, and now for you on the Guest River Trail. Contemplation benches have been placed at the most scenic locales and are cues for stopping. Old railroad line mile markers keep you apprised of your whereabouts on the path.

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Roanoke River Greenway

Roanoke River Greenway
Photo Credit: Autonomous Flight Technologies @autonomousflighttechnologies

Nearest Town: Roanoke

This paved path parallels the Roanoke River through downtown Roanoke. The Roanoke River Greenway stretches 10 miles one-way.

Start your pedal at Vic Thomas Park off Winchester Avenue. Soon pass Roanoke Mountain Adventures bike shop. Cross the river on trail bridges. Continue along the river in the shadow of famed Mill Mountain and the Roanoke Star (you can even take the Mill Mountain Greenway to the crest of Mill Mountain, but it takes some serious leg power). Turn up Tinker Creek on the Tinker Creek Greenway to end at Fallon Park, making for a 14-mile there and back trek. Trail accesses on the Roanoke River Greenway can be found at Smith Park, Wasena Park, River’s Edge Complex South and Fallon Park. The route gives you a real taste of the heart and soul of the city.

Rent bikes from Roanoke Mountain Adventures, and ride from the shop and jump directly on the Roanoke River Greenway.

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