Best Trail Running in Virginia

Trying to find the best trail running in Virginia? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Virginia, Augusta County

09 :23 hrs
25.5 mi
844.0032 ft
Extreme

The renowned Wild Oak Loop is perhaps the most popular backpacking trip in the George Washington National Forest, or at least a close second to commensurate sections of the Appalachian Trail. It can also be hiked in smaller portions, as many hikers choose to split the trail into one-way sections that go between the network of roads that intersect the trail. Alternatively, local trail runners have made this loop a destination for runners from around the region. The loop has so much to offer, including ridgeline views of Todd Lake and summit vistas from Little Bald Knob. As the path veers southwest, continuing along the White Oak Trail, numerous verdant deciduous forests await to enclose the avid runner in their shady embrace. Returning along the Hankey Mountain Trail (and the summit of this peak) runners will be rewarded with views of Elkhorn Lake and Staunton Dam, even a brief stint along the edge of the North River Gorge before returning to the parking area.

2

Virginia, Bath County

03 :50 hrs
11.1 mi
507.1685 ft
Moderate

Located in Douthat State Park, this adventure is a beautiful wooded trail to Douthat Lake and Tuscarora Overlook.

3

Virginia, Bath County

01 :49 hrs
5.9 mi
36.06122 ft
Moderate

Hidden Valley Trail winds through woodlands along an old roadbed. Good opportunity for birdwatching.

4

Maryland, Anne Arundel County

03 :06 hrs
10.5 mi
35.884323 ft
Expert

The Patuxent Research Refuge is the Nation’s only National Wildlife Refuge established to support wildlife research. The refuge is divided into three areas and this, the North Tract, offers hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, trails, and many interpretive programs. This route is especially popular with runners and hikers and is mostly on dirt or gravel roads and some forest trails. There is a spur trail that leads to the picturesque Reeves Pond. There are some ups and downs to challenge runners and there are shorter routes available as well.

5

Virginia, Augusta County

00 :45 hrs
1.2 mi
35.409515 ft
Easy

Waynesboro Ramble along Dooms Crossing Road.

6

Virginia, Madison County

03 :08 hrs
6.3 mi
664.1326 ft
Hard

The Old Rag is a popular summit among the Shenandoah peaks because climbing it feels like an actual mountain, perhaps due to its rocky mount, unique among mountains in the Blue Ridge. This particular route begins from the parking area on VA 600 and follows the Ridge Trail up the spine of Old Rag. Continue following this trail along the rocky summit of Old Rag, soak in the views, and then descend along the easterly side of the mountain. When the trail rejoins Weakly Hollow Road, make a hard right along the Weakley Hollow Fire Road that parallels the main road. This will eventually return to the parking area.

7

Virginia, Accomack County

06 :14 hrs
17.5 mi
19.410809 ft
Hard

This is my all time favorite hike. This was the first time I went all the way up the beach to the top of the service trail. If you're into beach combing this is the way to do it, lots of great shells and many other finds. There is a chance of seeing ponies. If you go on top of the dunes once you're above the northern fence line you can see ponies. Once you meet up with the service trail at the northern tip it's really buggy so bathe in Off or Repel. Lots of ponies through here, make sure to look out on all the marshes, they can be anywhere. It's a flat and easy walk, it's just very long so I wouldn't recommend for beginners or anyone wanting a leisurely stroll. This took me 12 hours, including pony spotting time, and it cut me off early at the end. Ended up being 21.8 miles.

8

Virginia, Rockbridge County

02 :19 hrs
6.9 mi
19.334412 ft
Hard

This beautiful day hike follows the Chessie Nature Trail as it parallels the course of the Maury River from Lexington to Buena Vista. Popular with kayakers and canoeists, this section of the river is full of tumbling rapids and whitewater gorges, with cliffs of limestone and beautiful ruins of old stone buildings hugging the edges of the water. In essence, this trail is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. For bicyclists: The Chessie Nature Trail has recently been opened to bike traffic, much to the joy of local cyclers – it is a fantastic bike ride out and back. For road bikes, make sure to have multi-purpose tread as some sections of the trail are somewhat rough.

9

Virginia, Bath County

03 :38 hrs
7.3 mi
373.77426 ft
Expert

Beginning from the same parking area as the Tuscarora Overlook Loop, this rigorous loop trail begins along the Beards Gap Trail that snakes its way through the valley and switchbacks up to Beards Gap. After a brief detour to the overlook, return down to the ridgeline for a scenic hike along the aptly-named Mountain Top Trail that snakes along the ridge of Beards Mountain. Coming to the height of the ascent, veer left onto the (also aptly-named) Mountain Side Trail that wends its way along the face of the mountain, offering views of Douthat Lake sparkling below. Arriving back at the intersection of the Beards Gap and Mountain Top Trails, veer right this time along the Buck Hollow Trail which will trace the edge of the Buck Lick Creek, the Wilson Creek, and then lead back to the parking area.

10

Virginia, Amherst County

02 :21 hrs
5.3 mi
233.50336 ft
Hard

Perhaps one of the most pristine and remote sections of the Blue Ridge Mountains (thanks to a 1994 Congressional Bill protecting the area from commercial use), the Mount Pleasant Special Management Area offers an array of beautiful hikes and summit vistas for the adventurous hiker. Though short in distance, the hike to the summit of Mount Pleasant (some say one of the most beautiful summit vistas in Virginia), begins hugging the edges of the mountains through this misty-sloped wilderness. At the trail intersection, bear left along the Mount Pleasant Summit Spur and come to the peak. After gazing across a seemingly endless sea of green mountains, take the spur back to the Mount Pleasant Trail and veer left along the second half of the loop to return to the parking area.

See more adventures..

Explore complete list