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Photo courtesy of VDOT
Biking the Varina phase of the Virginia Capital Trail.
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Photo courtesy of VDOT
Western Four Mile Creek Bridge of the Virginia Capital Trail.
The Virginia Capital Trail has something for everybody, from the canal walk in the heart of Richmond to the historic island of Jamestown. So, we’re breaking down each section of the fifty-two miles for you, starting in Williamsburg and ending in Richmond.
Greensprings Section
The first phase to open in 2006, the 2.8-mile Greensprings section goes from Jamestown High School to the beginning of the Colonial Parkway at the Jamestown Settlement. Offering access to the school, neighborhoods around it, and the unique historic area, the trail crosses a forty-acre wooded wetland donated by the Williamsburg Land Conservancy. This section also has rest rooms, picnic tables, and parking at the Jamestown trailhead.
Chickahominy Riverfront Section
Following Route 5 for 4.5 miles, the path here runs past cornfields and woods from the Greenspring phase to James City County’s Chickahominy Riverfront Park, with a trailhead located at the park as well as a new fix-it station with a bench and air pump. Park your car at Jamestown High School when the kids are out of school or at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, where there are also restrooms.
Sherwood Forest Section
This 12.5-mile segment takes off from the western bank of the Chickahominy River, passes the Sherwood Forest Plantation (www.sherwoodforest.org), the mid-nineteenth-century home of President John Tyler for twenty years, and ends at the Charles City Courthouse. Before continuing west, grab lunch at Cul’s Courthouse Grille (www.culscourthousegrille.com) for some southern comfort food, burgers or sandwiches.
Charles City Courthouse Section
Taking off from the courthouse, this eight-mile, somewhat shady section along Route 5 passes through several colonial plantation homes, including the Berkeley Plantation (www.berkeleyplantation.com), home to US presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison. Here you’ll also find a visitor center and comfort station at the historic courthouse complex, as well as outdoor interpretive exhibits about Charles City County’s history.
New Market Heights Section
The New Market Heights section runs twelve miles down Route 5 and passes the Shirley Plantation (www.shirleyplantation.com), where Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s mother was born, and the Richmond National Battlefield Park (www.nps.gov/rich/index.htm). Along this section you’ll also find a beautiful and comfortable bed and breakfast at Edgewood Plantation (www.edgewoodplantation.com), complete with a pool, gazebo, and of course, some fascinating history.
Varina Section
Now entering Henrico County, this phase runs approximately 7.6 miles from Longbridge Road to a half-mile south of the Richmond city limits. It runs by Henrico County’s Four Mile Creek Park (www.henrico.us/rec/places/deep-bottom/), where you can fish, canoe, and enjoy a lovely picnic along the James River.
Park Section
Sandwiching the Varina section, the horseshoe-shaped Park section goes from Four Mile Creek to Wood Mill Drive, traveling near I-295 and Route 5. This phase connects to Dorey Park (www.henrico.us/rec/places/dorey/), a popular spot with parking, a playground, sports fields, tennis courts, picnic areas, and more.
Richmond Riverfront Section
The northernmost part of the fifty-two-mile-long trail, located east of downtown, parallels Dock Street and runs through Richmond’s historic Shockoe Bottom. Dotted with streetlights as it winds underneath bridges along the water, this phase is split into three sections. Section one goes for one mile from Canal Walk to Great Shiplock. Section two goes to Intermediate Terminal for three quarters of a mile. Section three segments from the Lehigh Cement plan to Rockett’s Landing. Free parking can be found at Great Shiplock Park (www.rvariverfront.com/trails/shiplock.html).
