From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to new heights, Richmond has plenty of places to trail-trek. Lace up your hiking boots because we’ve put together a guide with 15+ routes and trails to help you plan your next outdoor excursion.

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.

Key: Easy = 🥾 | Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Difficult = 🥾🥾🥾

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: 🥾
Length: 2.5 mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required

Also known as the Poop Loop (Yes, you read that right.) — so charmingly named for its proximity to the wastewater treatment plant, this flat area is a great route for mountain bikers.

Pro tip: Be careful after rainy days, as it is typically one of the last trails to dry.

Belle Isle

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 3 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Partially
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required

Cross the bridge and follow the path around this historic island. The trails become more difficult as you head towards the top of the island.

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.

Belle Isle is opportune for a leisurely walk, a relaxing river day, or a more engaging hike. | RICtoday

Buttermilk Trail

Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
Length: 2.5 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required

Choose from three trails — Buttermilk East, Proper, and Heights — featuring narrow, 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.

Add a mental walk through the trail's history — yes, there's actual buttermilk involved.

Historic Slave Trail

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.5 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Partially
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required

This walk will take you on a reflective journey from Ancarrow's Landing over the Mayo Bridge to 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 last year to guarantee long-term accessibility to Richmonders.

Huguenot Flatwater

Difficulty: 🥾
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: 🥾🥾🥾
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.

Hike past picturesque views of Richmond's skyline. | Photo by RICtoday

Pony Pasture

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 3 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Partially
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.

Pack a swimsuit or water shoes so you can cool off mid-hike. | Photo by RICtoday

The Wetlands

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.5 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
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: 🥾
Length: 2 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Partially
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.

An urban cityscape meets an outdoor escape on this riverside trail. | Photo by RICtoday

Byrd Park/Bryan Park/Maymont

Dogwood Dell

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
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 to Pumphouse Park and the North Bank trail.

Joseph Bryan Park Trails

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Partially
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required

Bring binoculars and see what local wildlife you can spot along the paved park paths + forest trails.

Take the paved park routes or cut through the woods. | Photo by RICtoday

Maymont Trails

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 1 mile
Wheelchair accessible: Partially
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.

The Japanese gardens at Maymont. | Photo by Rodney Martin

Southside

Beaver Lake Trail

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.6 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Partially
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.

Gaze through lush greenery at Pocahontas State Park. | Photo by RICtoday

Forest Hill Park Trail

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 3.2 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required

This loop will take you around Forest Hill Park Lake — a popular spot among mountain bikers.

Larus Park Trails

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.7 miles
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required

Located among 106 acres of hidden-away parkland, you can access four wooded trails 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.

The view from the Power Line spur trail at Larus Park. | Photo by RICtoday

Regional

Virginia Capital Trail

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
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.

Walk through history on this regional trail. | Photo by RICtoday

Fall Line Trail

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 43 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required

When complete, this upcoming north-south trail will go from Petersburg to Ashland. 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.
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.
Check out 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.