Hit the trails with our hiking guide for Richmond

From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to new heights, Richmond has plenty of options 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.

Ancarrow’s Landing

• 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.

Belle Isle

• 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.
Buttermilk Trail

• 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.

Historic Slave Trail

• 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.
Huguenot Flatwater

• 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. FOJRP notes that 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.
The Wetlands

• 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 floodwall, or take off near Brown’s Island, cross the T. Pott Bridge, and head east.

Maymont/Byrd Park

Photo by RICtoday

Dogwood Dell

• 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.

Southside

Forest Hill Park Trail

• 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.
Beaver Lake Trail

• 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

Virginia Capital Trail

• 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.

Fall Line Trail

• 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
• We like this Teton hiking backpack.
• We like this lightweight water bottle.
• Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.