From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to new heights, Richmond has plenty of places to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Richmond area with 15+ routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure.
Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.
James River Park System
Friends of the James River Park has a handy guide and trail maps for the 22+ miles of trails in the system.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.5 mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Also known as the Poop Loop for its proximity to the wastewater treatment plant, this flat area is ideal for mountain bikers.
Pro tip: Be careful after rainy days, as it is typically one of the last trails to dry.
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Length: 3 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Partially — ramps and bridge are paved, main loop is compact dirt
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Cross the bridge and follow the path around this historic island. As you head towards the top of the island, the trails will get more difficult.
Pro tip: Belle Isle is popular for a reason — but that can make driving and parking difficult. If you can, bike or walk to the area. You can also take GRTC Route 87 and get off on 2nd Street at Brown’s Island Way or Spring Street.
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Choose from three trails — Buttermilk East, Proper, and Heights — with tight, twisty descents, steep climbs, creek crossings, and bridges. With public access now protected for years to come, the trail will likely continue to be among the most popular in the James River Park System.
Senior City Editor Robin here: My favorite part of the Buttermilk Trail — besides the beautiful nature — is explaining its history to newcomers. Yes, there’s actual buttermilk involved.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Partially
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This walk will lead you on a reflective journey from Ancarrow’s Landing over the Mayo Bridge and towards Lumpkin’s Jail. Look out for markers along the way to learn more about our city’s history.
News note: The Capital Region Land Conservancy acquired 4.5 acres of the trail in March to guarantee its long-term accessibility to Richmonders.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This casual, shaded trail takes hikers along the river from Rattlesnake Creek to the Huguenot Flatwater parking lot west of Pony Pasture. The trail is flat but prone to muddiness after wet weather.
North Bank Trail
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This rocky trail connects to the Buttermilk Proper and Heights, so be on the lookout for mountain bikers, runners, and walkers. You can follow the trail from the Nickel Bridge to Tredegar Iron Works.
Pony Pasture
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 3 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This river hangout favorite also has several miles of hiking and biking trails.
Try this: Take a nature walk and try to identify the native plants you see during your travels.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Wheelchair accessible:
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Connected to the Pony Pasture trail, the Wetlands is popular among dog walkers, cyclists, and trail runners. It’s also a nice location for bird watching, fishing, and scenic views of Williams Island.
T. Tyler Potterfield Bridge and Floodwall Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Partially — bridge is planked
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required — watch out for your pup’s toenails getting caught in planks
Start this riverside exploration in Manchester and walk atop Richmond’s flood wall, or take off near Brown’s Island, cross the T. Pott Bridge, and head east.
Maymont/Byrd Park
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Length: 1 mile
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This Byrd Park hiking trail is open for foot traffic only. Find it behind the Carillon and follow it all the way to Pumphouse Park and the North Bank trail.
Maymont Trails
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Length: 1 mile
- Wheelchair accessible: Partially — many paths are paved
- Pet-friendly: No
Make your own hike at Maymont, whether you want to explore the Italian and Japanese Gardens or take a nature walk past black bears, Raptor Valley, and the farm.
Senior City Editor Robin here: I feel like I physically can’t go to Maymont without taking a stroll past the black bears.
Southside
Explore Forest Hill with the kids.
Photo by @rva.familyfun
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 3.2 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This loop will take you around Forest Hill Park Lake and is popular among mountain bikers.
Larus Park Trails
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.7 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Located among 106 acres of hidden-away parkland, these four wooded trails can be accessed from a small parking area at Old Holly and Beechmont Roads.
Pro tip: Larus Park is an underrated gem in the Richmond area — if you know, you know.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.6 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Partially — some dirt trails, bridges, and wooden boardwalks
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This loop in Pocahontas State Park is one of the more popular in the area due to its shade and family-friendly appeal. There are 60+ miles of trails to explore in the park.
Regional
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Length: 1.3 miles in Richmond, 51.7 miles total
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Explore this fully-paved trail that runs from the City of Richmond through Henrico, Charles City, and James City Counties.
Pro tip: Richmonders can find easy access points at Great Shiplock Park and Dorey Park. Check out the Virginia Capital Trail’s planned itineraries, which include a 2.4 mile trip from Great Shiplock Park to Rocketts Landing and back.
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- Length: 43 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This upcoming north-south trail will go from Petersburg to Ashland when complete. It’ll connect with the Capital Trail and Appomattox River Trail as well as numerous parks including Bryan Park, Battery Park, Abner Clay Park, and JRPS.
Get the right gear
Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:
- This extra roomy fanny pack — from Chattanooga, TN-based company Burlaep — can carry all the gadgets and accessories you need for your hike.
- For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
- If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
- For apparel that’s both flattering and functional, we turn to small business Aesthetic Built. We love the oversized scuba hoodies for women and the muscle scallop tees for men.
- Sweat sustainably with SEAAV. Their activewear is not only performance-driven but also planet-friendly.
- Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
- Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
- Whether it’s the Active Essentials Kit or the Vegan Victory Set, Fuel Goods delivers the goods to keep you going.
- Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
- Bringing along your 4-legged friend? Hike in style with a new collar and leash.
- We like this Teton hiking backpack.
- We like this lightweight water bottle.
- Sweat sustainably with SEAAV. Their activewear is not only performance-driven but also planet-friendly.
- Whether it’s the Active Essentials Kit or the Vegan Victory Set, Fuel Goods delivers the goods to keep you going.
- Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.
