Family biking is an ideal way to spend quality time together. Virginia offers a vast array of family biking venues that take you through deep forests, among the mountains, along the shore and through the city. What fun it is to cruise a friendly pathway or rail trail on your bike, family in tow!

Revel in the breeze while pedaling your way through resplendent Virginia scenery. After your adventure, gather the crew for a meal or perhaps visit some other nearby attractions, making the most of your family time. Read on then make plans for your Virginia family biking adventure.

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Photo Credit: Ian Roberge @4000hikes

Nearest Town: Virginia Beach

Bicycle Rental: Yes

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 36.85946, -75.97725

The Ride: 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.

After the Ride:

Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Nearest Town: Piney River

Bicycle Rental: No

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 37.70821, -79.02304

The Ride: 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. 

 After the Ride:

Tobacco Heritage Trail

Tobacco Heritage Trail
Photo Credit: Kelly J. Mihalcoe LLC

Nearest Town: La Crosse

Bicycle Rental: No

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 36.69682, -78.09349

The Ride: 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.

After the Ride:

Riverwalk Trail

Nearest Town: Danville

Bicycle Rental: Yes

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 36.57429, -79.37452  

The Ride: 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.

After the Ride:

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

Lake Drummond

Lake Drummond—Great Dismal Swamp

Photo Credit: Trevor Frost @tbfrost

Nearest Town: Chesapeake

Bicycle Rental: No

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 36.68916, -76.35884

The Ride: 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.  

After the Ride:

Roanoke River Greenway

Nearest Town: Roanoke

Bicycle Rental: Yes

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 37.26328, -79.95727  

The Ride: Start at the east end of Wasena Park, where you can rent bikes at nearby Roanoke Mountain Adventures. The Roanoke River Greenway heads west up along the Roanoke River toward Salem. Follow the trail toward Bridge Street. Heading downriver from Wasena Park, you can pedal until your legs drop, bicycling under Mill Mountain and the Roanoke Star. Continue on to intersect the Tinker Creek Greenway, about five miles one way from Wasena Park. The Tinker Creek Greenway ends at Falcon Park.

After the Ride:

New River Trail

The New River
Photo Credit: Cameron Davidson

Nearest Town: Draper

Bicycle Rental: Yes

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 36.9993, -80.74213

The Ride: Draper is conveniently located off I-81 and you can rent bicycles near the trailhead at The Junction, part of Draper Mercantile. The New River Trail stretches 57 miles on a scenic rail corridor, much of it along the New River. I have pedaled this entire path numerous times and proclaim it a Virginia trail treasure. The path is crushed stone. From Draper you can roll southwest to come along the New River after a couple of miles. Pass over a few bridges and trestle. It is 4 miles one way to the Hiwassee Bridge and another 2.5 miles to Allisonia. Heading northeast from Draper you can pedal your way 4 miles to Dora Junction in Pulaski.

After the Ride:

Riverwalk Trail

Nearest Town: Lynchburg

Bicycle Rental: Yes

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 37.41046, -79.13517

The Ride: 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.

After the Ride:

Virginia Creeper Trail

Virginia Creeper Trail
Photo Credit: Sam Dean @sdeanphotos

Nearest Town: Abingdon

Bicycle Rental: Yes

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 36.7092, -81.97147  

The Ride: You’ll find some of Virginia’s finest family biking on the Creeper Trail. The 34-mile rail trail stretches from Abingdon in the west through Damascus and into the wilds of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The stretch from Abingdon morphs from town to deep woods, fields, and farms on a dedicated pea gravel track. Cruise over several trestles to finally reach the magnificent trestle over South Holston Lake 8 miles from Abingdon, making for a 16-mile there-and-back ride.

After the Ride:

Burke Lake Trail

Nearest Town: Fairfax Station

Bicycle Rental: No

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 38.76009, -77.30333  

The Ride: 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.

After the Ride:

York River State Park

York River State Park
Photo Credit: Jeff Taylor

Nearest Town: Norge

Bicycle Rental: No

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 37.41234, -76.71394

The Ride: 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.

After the Ride:

Riverway Trail

Nearest Town: Radford

Bicycle Rental: Yes

Trailhead Parking Coordinates: 37.13765, -80.57474

The Ride: Radford is located on the big and famous New River. 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.

After the Ride: