This is such a wonderful hidden gem that I feel hesitant to share it – we like feeling like this little secret is just ours to love. But in the interest of supporting families in Charlottesville, it has to happen, I have to share this bike ride alongside the Piney River, on the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail. I don’t want you missing out.
We took the 1 hour drive to the trailhead on a Friday morning when spring was simply showing off, starting to burst out. We excitedly got on our bikes, this being our first real rails-to-trails adventure as a full family. As you may know from our articles, we immediately became hooked.
My parents call this their “Cialis ad” photo:
The Virginia Blue Ride Railway Trail was such easy biking (albeit as we elected to do the entirety of the trail, rather long!). The path was very well-maintained, primarily small gravel. We felt very comfortable on our bikes, even though they weren’t mountain bikes. (One bike had slightly larger but slick tires).
After parking at the trailhead, we biked the entire trail. Different websites claim different numbers, but trailhead to end of the trail is 6.5 – 7 miles. And this is an out and back! So remember that you will have to turn around and bring it all back.
Since the trail ends fairly unceremoniously against someone’s private property, feel free to stop and turn around and head home whenever your little ones are done.
We stopped where the trail ended, had a snack, then biked the 7 miles back. Our legs were tired (and we were a bit saddle sore!), but we were all able to do it thanks to the well-maintained (and flat) nature of this – and lots of mini-chocolate bars.
Unlike High Bridge, this particular trail isn’t full of history and national landmarks, but it was definitely peaceful and calm. We thought the River was beautiful, and the expansive rock cliffs we biked by gorgeous in their majesty. So we were torn; we were pulling for it to win Blue Ridge Outdoors Best Of in 2021, but we also still really, really want to keep this spot our little secret.
So shhhhh! don’t tell anyone about this.
“It was fun! Long, and the covered bridge was nice shade.”
- – Charlottesville kid “B,” 9-years-old
More in Biking Along the Piney River on the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail:
- Nelson County’s link on the trail
- Trailhead on Google Maps
Raising Charlottesville is a website dedicated to highlighting fun & local activities for families living in the Charlottesville, VA area.