Virginia Capital Trail
Virginia Capital Trail
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Shockoe Bottom
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383 within 5 kms
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150 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
127 reviews
Excellent
102
Very good
18
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Mns49
33 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Excellent surface area on the whole trail. Runs along highway five. The reason for 4 stars, not enough bathrooms along the trail. Many miles between them.
Recommend you stopping at Spoke + Art while in Williamsburg. And Indian Tavern Restaurant in Charles City. Enjoy the ride!!
Recommend you stopping at Spoke + Art while in Williamsburg. And Indian Tavern Restaurant in Charles City. Enjoy the ride!!
Written 4 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SpanishteacherMD
Ellicott City, Maryland1,642 contributions
Jun 2022
Incredible scenery, a wonderful experience. Whether you walk, jog, run, or take the dog for a hike, anywhere on this trail is fantastic. My wife and I had a chance to experience Belle Isle (part of the James River park system) and Brown's Island / Manchester by crossing the T. Tyler Potterfield Pedestrian Bridge, you have to give yourself at least half a day, if not more to walk, walk and walk. Bring a camera and your walking shoes. This trail, no matter where you pick it up, is worth every minute you spend on it. Tons of beautiful scenery, awesome views and wheelchair accessible. A perfect opportunity for everyone to enjoy Richmond and all the Virginia has to offer.
Written 20 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bythetracks
springfiled, il, United States21 contributions
Mar 2022
This is a great walking trail and a nice way to enjoy nature without getting dirty! The trail is extensive and covers a variety of habitats and views.
Watch out for cyclists there. Some are quite careless and ride up from behind very fast. I was nearly mowed down by one young woman. Who wants to end up in the Emergency room?
Watch out for cyclists there. Some are quite careless and ride up from behind very fast. I was nearly mowed down by one young woman. Who wants to end up in the Emergency room?
Written 9 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blazestarr
15 contributions
Feb 2021
This was a welcome respite during the beginning of the pandemic. We used this trail for cycling and in-line skating. Definitely have to work on crossing the raised circles at each stop with in line skates.
Written 30 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sienna Kennedy
Richmond, VA13 contributions
Mar 2021
I use the trail ALL the time. I am a walker, runner, cyclist. It's seriously the BEST thing our community could have done. I can't count the number of times I've gone from Richmond to Williamsburg (and sometimes back, but usually we meet with friends that drive us back & hang out in Carytown the next day). Whoever decided to build this trail should get an award!
Written 9 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
petew41133
Florissant, MO3 contributions
Nov 2020
Super smooth (except for a very short stretch that had some root impact) on a racing road bike, road in rain and still had good traction, just go straight and don't brake or accelerate through wood bridges. Amazing historic sites along the way. Photo at Indian Fields Tavern from the porch seating, best burger ever and super bike friendly (place fill water bottles, park bike and sit when your grungy in bike gear:). 60 miles roundtrip to the tavern from Richmond lock trailhead.
Written 11 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VirginiaLove2Travel
Virginia Beach, VA478 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
First, we live in Virginia Beach so hills are really not existent. We have ridden starting in Jamestown but also not hilly. So we decided to come to Richmond for the weekend and ride the trail East for a while. Can you say hills. Don’t get me wrong it was fun when we started along the canal but then you see the hills. We made it for several miles and then my husband decided it was too much (he doesn’t ride as much as me). So we turned back. Did have a few conversations with folks who felt the same way....but then those folks that just zoomed by us, probably laughing at us....heck I was laughing at me too. Don’t let my review deter you, go and enjoy how ever far you can ride and enjoy the many other things to see and do in Richmond.
Written 17 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joansy
Tennessee88 contributions
Sep 2020
We parked at the Jamestown Settlement Visitor Center. This is mile marker 0. We rode to mile marker 25 turned around and stopped at Culs Courthouse Grille for lunch. Than rode back to Jamestown. Total of 50 miles. The trail is scenic, shaded and well paved. The part through Sherwood Forest is so beautiful. We absolutely love this trail and can’t wait to ride it again. The next day we drove to mile marker 40 parked our car and rode down to mile marker 30 and back. Just as pretty as the first 25 miles.
Don’t miss riding on this trail.
Don’t miss riding on this trail.
Written 11 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlotta U
Raleigh, NC10 contributions
Oct 2020
We had a great ride on the Virginia Capital Trail! Traffic along the way are good to give bikes the right-of-way. There are two restaurants close to half-way that are accommodating to cyclists.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim M
Severn, MD52 contributions
Aug 2020
First time here.... started at the Great Shiplock Park and walked to the downtown area. Really scenic. Lots of activity and this would be a great pace to ride bikes or roll along on a skateboard - both things I'll consider for next time!
Written 20 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Global44678113820
Jacksonville, FL
Hi Mike - I saw your post about the Capital Trail. There is a group of about 4 or 5 coming up from Jacksonville, FL. Our plan is to camp and we are looking at Chickahominy for a couple of nights in Williamsburg. We then plan to ride over to Richmond and stay a night before heading back to Williamsburg. Can you recommend a place to camp in Richmond? Anything we should be sure and check out along the trail? Thanks for your help.
Sharon Gustafson
Arlington, VA2 contributions
Where is a good place convenient by bike to spend the night in Williamsburg?
steve82257
Daleville, VA20 contributions
planing a ride Richmond to Jamestown , planing on leaving my vehicle in Jamestown whats best way to get ride back to Richmond
Hugh J
Albany, NY12 contributions
Hi Steve. I took I-64 takes right into Richmond from Jamestown. I took this during rush hour and encountered a surprisingly smooth flow right into town. Granted it was the week before Easter so probably traffic was a little lighter than usual.
Please remember if doing the Virginia Capital Trail to bring LOTS of water and snacks as there are only a few accommodations on the trail and they are mainly at the ends of the trail.
Good luck!
Hugh Johnson
What is the best parking lot to get picked up at the end of the trail in Williamsburg? Please help!
cl0wdy
Richmond, VA74 contributions
Not sure.. The trail ends in Jamestown where there is lots of parking,then you bike on to w'burg. I would bike to the train station lot for pick up, but there are many parking lots and I don't know which is best.
hansensusie
San Diego, CA16 contributions
what is the flattest 5-10 mile segment?
Jeff D
Richmond, VA12 contributions
Flat being relative, if you're looking for a good starting point from the Richmond end, I'd recommend using either the Dorey Park, or Four Mile Creek trailheads. If you start in downtown Richmond, you do have a fairly long climb as you're coming up out of the city along Main street. From Dorey Park east though, the rest of the trail is fairly flat.
pattibrown2017
Newport News, VA
Where can we spend night in Richmond near trail
yellowlabmom
Boston, MA421 contributions
We stayed at the Edgewood Plantation, a BnB near the 27 mile marker. It's about 30 miles outside of Richmond but puts you at almost the halfway point of the trail.
pattibrown2017
Newport News, VA
Where can we stay in richmond
KRKTravel
Franklin, TN131 contributions
Absolutely- terrific facility, plenty of places to stop and rest. We overnighted at a B&B at approx halfway point - great time!
Neal A
1 contribution
I am planning to bike the trail point to this Saturday, starting from the Richmond trailhead near Shockhoe Bottom, riding to Williamsburg, and riding nag back Sunday. I will need to,park my vehicle Sat night. Is it safe at the trailhead overnight? Or is there a better place to leave it? Thanks!
John C
Mechanicsville, VA413 contributions
I haven't done personally, but have had friends leave their cars on weekend / overnight rides. As always, just don't have any laptops or money in view, most issues in most areas of the city. Also, many residents in the area I see parked nearby, should be ok. Good Luck.
How could I enter the trail from New Kent?
John C
Mechanicsville, VA413 contributions
I would recommend you drive to Dorey Park or Four Mile Creek park and enter from there, as I'm not sure of a road route safe to cycle on from New Kent.
What B & B's are reasonably near the trail?
KRKTravel
Franklin, TN131 contributions
We stayed at the Edgewood Plantation B&B. It is directly across the Hwy 5 from the actual paved trail. Highly recommend it! I think there was a sign for one other one less than a mile off the trail, sorry I don't remember the name.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Virginia Capital Trail
- Hotels near Virginia Capital Trail:
- (0.21 km) River Lofts
- (1.25 km) Residence Inn by Marriott Richmond Downtown
- (1.27 km) Courtyard by Marriott Richmond Downtown
- (1.44 km) The Berkeley Hotel
- (0.61 km) Mr. Patrick Henry's Inn
- Restaurants near Virginia Capital Trail:
- (0.18 km) Millie's Diner
- (0.22 km) Bookbinder's Seafood & Steakhouse
- (0.22 km) Tree's Tacos and Tips
- (0.25 km) Poe's Pub
- (0.54 km) Proper Pie Co.