Virginia Beach, VA Trails and Maps

125 Reviews

Looking for the best trails around Virginia Beach?

Explore the best rated trails in Virginia Beach, VA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail and Salem Road Trail. With more than 28 trails covering 128 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

  • Relevance
  • Name
  • Length
  • Most Popular
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
28 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Birdneck Road Trail

2.1 mi
State: VA
Concrete

Cape Henry Trail

7.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Gravel, Sand

Chesapeake Boulevard Trail

0.7 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Corolla Greenway

9 mi
State: NC
Boardwalk, Concrete

Dam Neck Road Trail

7.9 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Diamond Springs Road Trail

1.1 mi
State: VA
Concrete

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)

4.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (VA)

8.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Duck Trail

6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete

Elizabeth River Trail (Atlantic City Spur)

9.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

General Booth Boulevard Trail

6.1 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail

11.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Harris Road Trail

0.6 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Independence Boulevard Trail

3.8 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Kempsville Road Trail

7.3 mi
State: VA
Concrete

Little Neck Road Trail

3.3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Lynnhaven Parkway Trail

6.4 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Newport News Park Bikeway

5.3 mi
State: VA
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Nimmo Parkway Trail

1.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Norfolk Avenue Trail

1.3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt
Accordion

Rosemont Road Trail

3.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Salem Road Trail

1.3 mi
State: VA
Concrete

Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail

5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail

5.6 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Trillium Trail (Sandy Bottom Nature Park)

3.3 mi
State: VA
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Upton Drive Trail

0.6 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

2.6 mi
State: VA
Concrete

Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road Trail

2.7 mi
State: VA
Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The Birdneck Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Norfolk Avenue and General Booth...
VA 2.1 mi Concrete
The Cape Henry Trail crosses the heavily wooded First Landing State Park, located on Cape Henry north of Virginia Beach. The trail provides access to the Narrows Recreation area, located in the park,...
VA 7.5 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Gravel, Sand
This is a dedicated asphalt multi-use trail that runs adjacent to Chesapeake Boulevard in the Fairmount Park neighborhoo of Norfolk, Virginia. Adjacent bicycle sharrow lanes commence at the north end...
VA 0.7 mi Asphalt
Corolla Greenway offers beautiful views of Currituck Sound and maritime forest along North Carolina's popular Outer Banks. The paved north-south pathway, which largely parallels N.C. Highway 12 (also...
NC 9 mi Boardwalk, Concrete
The Dam Neck Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Salem Road and Terrier Avenue,...
VA 7.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Diamond Springs Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach–Norfolk region for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Wesleyan Drive and...
VA 1.1 mi Concrete
The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is a paved, heavily wooded pathway along the eastern border of Dismal Swamp State Park. The park offers more than 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and is teeming with...
NC 4.5 mi Asphalt
As it was built on a former state highway, the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail provides a wide, paved and flat pathway along its namesake waterway and the Great Dismal Swamp Refuge. Not only does this...
VA 8.5 mi Asphalt
The Duck Trail stretches the length of the Town of Duck, a beach resort in the Outer Banks. The trail links residential areas to the countless restaurants and charming local stores along Duck Road/...
NC 6 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Elizabeth River Trail–Atlantic City Spur runs for 9.5 miles between Harbor Park Stadium and the Norfolk International Terminals. The trail occupies a railroad right-of-way yet incorporates a...
VA 9.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The General Booth Boulevard Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Princess Anne Road and...
VA 6.1 mi Asphalt, Concrete
This 11.5-mile paved trail begins in the busy commercial area just south of Shore Drive/US 60 in Virginia Beach. If you wish to reach one of the most popular parks in the state, head east on the Cape...
VA 11.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Harris Road Trail parallels Harris Road on the east side, through the neighborhoods south of Lynnhaven Bay in Virginia Beach. The short trail runs between Little Neck Road and Kline Drive. At the...
VA 0.6 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Independence Boulevard Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to S. Independence Boulevard in two disconnected...
VA 3.8 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Kempsville Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Providence Road (SR 40) and...
VA 7.3 mi Concrete
The Little Nec Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between W. Little Neck Road and Virginia...
VA 3.3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Lynnhaven Parkway Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Lishell Place and Stewart...
VA 6.4 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Newport News Park Bikeway offers a pleasant 5-mile loop through southern Virginia woodlands. The unpaved trail takes you through the 8,000-acre park and offers a connection to Colonial National...
VA 5.3 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
Nimmo Parkway Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Albuquerque Drive and just a little...
VA 1.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Norfolk Avenue Trail runs along the north side of Norfolk Avenue between Pacific Avenue and South Birdneck Drive to the west. The paved trail links Virginia Beach neighborhoods, shopping, and...
VA 1.3 mi Asphalt
Accordion
The Rosemont Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Holland Road and Whiteberry Lane....
VA 3.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Salem Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between South Independence Boulevard and Princess...
VA 1.3 mi Concrete
The Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail runs parallel to the approach for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel for a total of 5 miles at the southern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Although never more than a...
VA 5 mi Asphalt
The Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail is a developing project that will one day span 11.5 miles, connecting the communities of Suffolk and Chesapeake in southeastern Virginia. The trail is also part of...
VA 5.6 mi Asphalt
Sandy Bottom Nature Park is a 456-acre recreational oasis in Hampton, bordered on the northeast side by Interstate 64 and surrounded by busy residential, shopping and entertainment areas. Before it...
VA 3.3 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
The Upton Drive Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to a short section of its namesake road between Nimmo Parkway and...
VA 0.6 mi Asphalt
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is among one of the most popular trails in the Virginia Beach area. Throughout the summer the boardwalk hums with pedestrians taking in the shops and beach along this...
VA 2.6 mi Concrete
The Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach–Norfolk region for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake roads between...
VA 2.7 mi Concrete

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Trails by activity

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)

NC - 4.5 miles

The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is a paved, heavily wooded pathway along the eastern border of Dismal Swamp State Park. The park offers more than 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and is teeming with...

Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road Trail

VA - 2.7 miles

The Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach–Norfolk region for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake roads between...

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

VA - 2.6 miles

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is among one of the most popular trails in the Virginia Beach area. Throughout the summer the boardwalk hums with pedestrians taking in the shops and beach along this...

Salem Road Trail

VA - 1.3 miles

Salem Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between South Independence Boulevard and Princess...

Accordion

Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail

VA - 11.5 miles

This 11.5-mile paved trail begins in the busy commercial area just south of Shore Drive/US 60 in Virginia Beach. If you wish to reach one of the most popular parks in the state, head east on the Cape...

Independence Boulevard Trail

VA - 3.8 miles

The Independence Boulevard Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to S. Independence Boulevard in two disconnected...

General Booth Boulevard Trail

VA - 6.1 miles

The General Booth Boulevard Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Princess Anne Road and...

Lynnhaven Parkway Trail

VA - 6.4 miles

The Lynnhaven Parkway Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Lishell Place and Stewart...

Cape Henry Trail

VA - 7.5 miles

The Cape Henry Trail crosses the heavily wooded First Landing State Park, located on Cape Henry north of Virginia Beach. The trail provides access to the Narrows Recreation area, located in the park,...

Dam Neck Road Trail

VA - 7.9 miles

The Dam Neck Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Salem Road and Terrier Avenue,...

Elizabeth River Trail (Atlantic City Spur)

VA - 9.5 miles

The Elizabeth River Trail–Atlantic City Spur runs for 9.5 miles between Harbor Park Stadium and the Norfolk International Terminals. The trail occupies a railroad right-of-way yet incorporates a...

Trillium Trail (Sandy Bottom Nature Park)

VA - 3.3 miles

Sandy Bottom Nature Park is a 456-acre recreational oasis in Hampton, bordered on the northeast side by Interstate 64 and surrounded by busy residential, shopping and entertainment areas. Before it...

Nimmo Parkway Trail

VA - 1.5 miles

Nimmo Parkway Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Albuquerque Drive and just a little...

Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail

VA - 5.6 miles

The Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail is a developing project that will one day span 11.5 miles, connecting the communities of Suffolk and Chesapeake in southeastern Virginia. The trail is also part of...

Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail

VA - 5 miles

The Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail runs parallel to the approach for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel for a total of 5 miles at the southern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Although never more than a...

Little Neck Road Trail

VA - 3.3 miles

The Little Nec Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between W. Little Neck Road and Virginia...

Duck Trail

NC - 6 miles

The Duck Trail stretches the length of the Town of Duck, a beach resort in the Outer Banks. The trail links residential areas to the countless restaurants and charming local stores along Duck Road/...

Chesapeake Boulevard Trail

VA - 0.7 miles

This is a dedicated asphalt multi-use trail that runs adjacent to Chesapeake Boulevard in the Fairmount Park neighborhoo of Norfolk, Virginia. Adjacent bicycle sharrow lanes commence at the north end...

Rosemont Road Trail

VA - 3.5 miles

The Rosemont Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Holland Road and Whiteberry Lane....

Kempsville Road Trail

VA - 7.3 miles

The Kempsville Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Providence Road (SR 40) and...

Chesapeake Boulevard Trail

VA - 0.7 miles

This is a dedicated asphalt multi-use trail that runs adjacent to Chesapeake Boulevard in the Fairmount Park neighborhoo of Norfolk, Virginia. Adjacent bicycle sharrow lanes commence at the north end...

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (VA)

VA - 8.5 miles

As it was built on a former state highway, the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail provides a wide, paved and flat pathway along its namesake waterway and the Great Dismal Swamp Refuge. Not only does this...

Harris Road Trail

VA - 0.6 miles

The Harris Road Trail parallels Harris Road on the east side, through the neighborhoods south of Lynnhaven Bay in Virginia Beach. The short trail runs between Little Neck Road and Kline Drive. At the...

Upton Drive Trail

VA - 0.6 miles

The Upton Drive Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to a short section of its namesake road between Nimmo Parkway and...

Accordion

Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail

VA - 11.5 miles

This 11.5-mile paved trail begins in the busy commercial area just south of Shore Drive/US 60 in Virginia Beach. If you wish to reach one of the most popular parks in the state, head east on the Cape...

Cape Henry Trail

VA - 7.5 miles

The Cape Henry Trail crosses the heavily wooded First Landing State Park, located on Cape Henry north of Virginia Beach. The trail provides access to the Narrows Recreation area, located in the park,...

Little Neck Road Trail

VA - 3.3 miles

The Little Nec Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between W. Little Neck Road and Virginia...

Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail

VA - 5 miles

The Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail runs parallel to the approach for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel for a total of 5 miles at the southern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Although never more than a...

Duck Trail

NC - 6 miles

The Duck Trail stretches the length of the Town of Duck, a beach resort in the Outer Banks. The trail links residential areas to the countless restaurants and charming local stores along Duck Road/...

Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail

VA - 5.6 miles

The Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail is a developing project that will one day span 11.5 miles, connecting the communities of Suffolk and Chesapeake in southeastern Virginia. The trail is also part of...

Corolla Greenway

NC - 9 miles

Corolla Greenway offers beautiful views of Currituck Sound and maritime forest along North Carolina's popular Outer Banks. The paved north-south pathway, which largely parallels N.C. Highway 12 (also...

Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road Trail

VA - 2.7 miles

The Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach–Norfolk region for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake roads between...

Independence Boulevard Trail

VA - 3.8 miles

The Independence Boulevard Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to S. Independence Boulevard in two disconnected...

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)

NC - 4.5 miles

The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is a paved, heavily wooded pathway along the eastern border of Dismal Swamp State Park. The park offers more than 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and is teeming with...

Lynnhaven Parkway Trail

VA - 6.4 miles

The Lynnhaven Parkway Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Lishell Place and Stewart...

Salem Road Trail

VA - 1.3 miles

Salem Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between South Independence Boulevard and Princess...

Elizabeth River Trail (Atlantic City Spur)

VA - 9.5 miles

The Elizabeth River Trail–Atlantic City Spur runs for 9.5 miles between Harbor Park Stadium and the Norfolk International Terminals. The trail occupies a railroad right-of-way yet incorporates a...

Birdneck Road Trail

VA - 2.1 miles

The Birdneck Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Norfolk Avenue and General Booth...

Dam Neck Road Trail

VA - 7.9 miles

The Dam Neck Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Salem Road and Terrier Avenue,...

Newport News Park Bikeway

VA - 5.3 miles

The Newport News Park Bikeway offers a pleasant 5-mile loop through southern Virginia woodlands. The unpaved trail takes you through the 8,000-acre park and offers a connection to Colonial National...

General Booth Boulevard Trail

VA - 6.1 miles

The General Booth Boulevard Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Princess Anne Road and...

Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road Trail

VA - 2.7 miles

The Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach–Norfolk region for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake roads between...

Elizabeth River Trail (Atlantic City Spur)

VA - 9.5 miles

The Elizabeth River Trail–Atlantic City Spur runs for 9.5 miles between Harbor Park Stadium and the Norfolk International Terminals. The trail occupies a railroad right-of-way yet incorporates a...

Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail

VA - 5.6 miles

The Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail is a developing project that will one day span 11.5 miles, connecting the communities of Suffolk and Chesapeake in southeastern Virginia. The trail is also part of...

Accordion

Cape Henry Trail

VA - 7.5 miles

The Cape Henry Trail crosses the heavily wooded First Landing State Park, located on Cape Henry north of Virginia Beach. The trail provides access to the Narrows Recreation area, located in the park,...

Chesapeake Boulevard Trail

VA - 0.7 miles

This is a dedicated asphalt multi-use trail that runs adjacent to Chesapeake Boulevard in the Fairmount Park neighborhoo of Norfolk, Virginia. Adjacent bicycle sharrow lanes commence at the north end...

Lynnhaven Parkway Trail

VA - 6.4 miles

The Lynnhaven Parkway Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Lishell Place and Stewart...

Harris Road Trail

VA - 0.6 miles

The Harris Road Trail parallels Harris Road on the east side, through the neighborhoods south of Lynnhaven Bay in Virginia Beach. The short trail runs between Little Neck Road and Kline Drive. At the...

Kempsville Road Trail

VA - 7.3 miles

The Kempsville Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Providence Road (SR 40) and...

Rosemont Road Trail

VA - 3.5 miles

The Rosemont Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Holland Road and Whiteberry Lane....

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (VA)

VA - 8.5 miles

As it was built on a former state highway, the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail provides a wide, paved and flat pathway along its namesake waterway and the Great Dismal Swamp Refuge. Not only does this...

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)

NC - 4.5 miles

The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is a paved, heavily wooded pathway along the eastern border of Dismal Swamp State Park. The park offers more than 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and is teeming with...

Newport News Park Bikeway

VA - 5.3 miles

The Newport News Park Bikeway offers a pleasant 5-mile loop through southern Virginia woodlands. The unpaved trail takes you through the 8,000-acre park and offers a connection to Colonial National...

Nimmo Parkway Trail

VA - 1.5 miles

Nimmo Parkway Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between Albuquerque Drive and just a little...

Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail

VA - 5 miles

The Southern Tip Bike & Hike Trail runs parallel to the approach for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel for a total of 5 miles at the southern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Although never more than a...

Corolla Greenway

NC - 9 miles

Corolla Greenway offers beautiful views of Currituck Sound and maritime forest along North Carolina's popular Outer Banks. The paved north-south pathway, which largely parallels N.C. Highway 12 (also...

Little Neck Road Trail

VA - 3.3 miles

The Little Nec Road Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to its namesake road between W. Little Neck Road and Virginia...

Duck Trail

NC - 6 miles

The Duck Trail stretches the length of the Town of Duck, a beach resort in the Outer Banks. The trail links residential areas to the countless restaurants and charming local stores along Duck Road/...

Upton Drive Trail

VA - 0.6 miles

The Upton Drive Trail is one in a series of suburban trails in the Virginia Beach area for non-motorized use. The trail runs parallel to a short section of its namesake road between Nimmo Parkway and...

Norfolk Avenue Trail

VA - 1.3 miles

The Norfolk Avenue Trail runs along the north side of Norfolk Avenue between Pacific Avenue and South Birdneck Drive to the west. The paved trail links Virginia Beach neighborhoods, shopping, and...

Recent Trail Reviews

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Nice 3 mile ride, has a bike lane next to the oceanfront. Early morning rides are the best as it might get crowded later on in the day

May, 2022 by thehump71

Nice 3 mile ride, has a bike lane next to the oceanfront. Early morning rides are the best as it might get crowded later on in the day

Little Neck Road Trail

Little Neck Road Trail is nothing like the cover photo

May, 2022 by xrz6m7dq7j

Little Neck Road Trail is nothing like the cover photo. It’s nice and shady, but not scenic. If you ride from Home Depot and head North, you will ride parallel to a 4-lane 45mph road for 2 miles. The last 1.5 miles will be through a quiet, residential area.

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)

This Trail description needs some work

May, 2022 by dasmithii

Although the trail description does describe this as 4.5 mile asphalt trail, the comments provide some very misleading information that might be helped by some broader clarification in the main trail description.

When accessing this Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC), you come in contact with a network of recreational park resources that are adjacent to, but have nothing to do with, the Canal Trail to which this entry refers.

1. The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC), is as described is a paved section of trail from a south-end trailhead parking area at the intersection of Route 17 and NC Highway 343 N going north to the NC Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center. (Note that the trail and Welcome Center are on the east side of the canal, between the canal and Route 17). The actual trail length is about 3.4 miles. I don't know how the 4.5 mile distance in description is calculated. The following description is taken from the Welcome Center website (https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/hiking/).

"Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

This three mile paved trail begins at the southern end of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center/Dismal Swamp State Park off US Hwy 17 and meanders through a wooded area between the historic waterway and the historic highway, ending at NC Hwy 343. A 5 foot wide extension provides access for the trail to the Village of South Mills. This trail is beautifully maintained by Camden County Parks & Recreation."

I checked with the visitor desk at this welcome center and with the State Park Welcome Center (see below) and they both assured me that this was the only paved section of trail along the NC part of the Dismal Canal.
Note that this section of trail is maintained by Camden County Parks & Recreation.

Also note that the Welcome Center is home to a 150’ face dock along the Dismal Canal that provides a rest stop to nearly 2,000 boaters yearly. See https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/boating/

2. There is a swing bridge across the Dismal Canal, accessed from the Camden County Welcome Center parking lot on the EAST side, that leads to the NC Dismal Swamp State Park on the WEST side of the Canal.

See both https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/state-park/ and https://www.ncparks.gov/dismal-swamp-state-park.

Note that the Welcome Center and the State Park are entirely separate organizationally, and although they cooperate, they are run entirely separately.

The State Park has a system of "trails", although from the perspective of Rail-to-Trail and TrailLink.com users I think the designation of "trails" is a bit generous. The State Park bikeable trails are, for most of the mileage, nothing more than old logging roads, which are quite rough (large gravel, largely ungroomed, sections with tree roots making the trail quite rough, some sections not much more than a grassy overgrown path).

See the map at https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DISW_mappad15.pdf

Most of the State Park trails (roads) run straight as an arrow in a grid pattern through the swamp. The main rectangle of the grid, which makes up the largest part of the trail mileage is bounded by Kim Saunders Road, Forest Line Road, Corapeake Road and Martha Washington Trail. It's a somewhat uninspiring ride. Gravel Bikers or MTBers may be more inclined to like this ride, but for the typical Rail-to-Trail rider, this isn't an expected experience.

The confusion in this TrailLink entry on "Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)" is that there are comments referring to stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC). One comment refers to starting your ride up in "Chessie" (address is 1200 Dismal Swamp Canal). This is way up in Virginia! The Virgina part of the trail is, from what I've read, entirely different than the NC section. Another comment refers to the State Park trails, which again, have nothing to do with the Canal Trail. The State Park trails largely run perpendicular to and away from the Canal. (Comment that refers to State Park trails... "The trails are very well maintained. Despite all the previous rain, I had an awesome 23 mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed the day. The park Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.")

If you are expecting a Canal Towpath (trail following the old towpath right along the canal) type experience which is more typical of other preserved canal trails in the Mid-Atlantic and NE canals, you will be sorely disappointed.

The State Park trails are what they are, and serve a purpose, although different than what the typical Rail-to-Trail user expects. I'm simply suggesting that this trial description needs to be clarified to make clear to what it does, and does not, refer.

Accordion

Kempsville Road Trail

Not a Trail

April, 2022 by donf624

This is just a wide concrete sidewalk next to a busy noisy 6 lane street.

Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail

Nice Walking Path just be careful On hot days for (SNAKES) if you have Kids make sure they stay on the pavement & watch where you walk. Copperheads andKing Snakes

September, 2021 by rayawrightjr1971

Nice Walking Path just be careful On hot days for (SNAKES) if you have Kids make sure they stay on the pavement & watch where you walk. Copperheads andKing Snakes

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Very Enjoyable Ride

September, 2021 by shcavan

The only reason to not give it 5 stars is that it is very busy but it is scenic with lots of restaurants nearby. Smooth, well kept surface.

Cape Henry Trail

Rough Surface

September, 2021 by shcavan

Parts of the trail are rough with stones and tree roots. Some sections are okay but the trail is better for hiking than biking.

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (VA)

Smooth Surface.

September, 2021 by shcavan

Easy, enjoyable ride.

Trillium Trail (Sandy Bottom Nature Park)

Nice trail, but 1/2 footy single track

September, 2021 by sandymo

This is a nice little trail, but certainly not like a normal rail trail. The first 1/2 is nice gravel like fire road, but it then changes to narrow single track with more than its share of roots. While it’s probably a beginner level mountain bike trail, this isn’t a trail for someone on a hybrid bike or a casual cyclist. You won’t like the constant bump of the roots and certainly not the two good size muddy holes that would surely be tough for hybrid size tires.

Great Neck Road/London Bridge Road Trail

Mileage

August, 2021 by golferrc

Just a note - as depicted - the mileage from the start near Shore Drive to the end near General Booth Blvd is actually 22 Miles - not 11.5 as in the trail description.

Birdneck Road Trail

Well maintained trail

July, 2021 by tdykz6s8bq

I cycle on this trail 2-3 times a week and the path itself is great; some of the other people who use it aren’t very courteous—they don’t share the path even though it’s a multi-use path—so if you’re cycling be mindful that you may have to go in the grass. My only complaint is the lights don’t come on in the darkest part of the path after dark. As to the complaint about road noise, well, it’s beside the road…Where there’s road noise. ¿¿¿¿¿

Duck Trail

trail experience

June, 2021 by terrie_edwards

Nice but not much shade so stay hydrated.

Find Nearby City trails

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR