Virginia Beach · Virginia Beach · Trail running · Point to point
Cape Henry Trail
A wide crushed-shell and paved multi-use route through First Landing State Park's maritime forest.
- Distance
- 6mi
- Climb (measured)
- 12ft
- Time (agency)
- 1h40–2h40
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Terrain
- PavedSandShaded
The route
Map and elevation, linked
12 ft up, 15 ft down · 2–17 ft
What it feels like
What it feels like
Flat the whole way: the profile never moves more than a few feet. Firm, even surface, mostly under tree cover.
Before you drive
What to know first
Closures and conditions change. Check the agency's alerts page before leaving.
Start here
First Landing Trail Center (Shore Drive)
36.91660, -76.05530
Open the trailhead in a map appState park lot; day-use fee applies and fills on summer weekends.
- Parking
- Park at the Shore Drive contact station or the 64th Street entrance. State park parking fee applies.
- Fees
- Virginia State Parks day-use parking fee applies.
- Permits
- Not on file
- Hours
- Park hours vary seasonally; check the state park page before a dawn or dusk run.
- Restrooms
- Restrooms at the contact station and campground areas.
- Water
- Water available at developed park facilities.
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Cell service
- Not on file
- Emergency
- Not on file
How hard it will feel
Difficulty, explained
Moderate
Virginia DCR's official First Landing trail guide rates Cape Henry moderate.
6 miles is a real half-day.
- Distance
- +2
- 6 miles is a real half-day.
- Climb
- +0
- Essentially flat (12 ft measured).
- Footing
- +1
- Natural tread, with soft sand in places.
- Technicality
- +0
- Nothing technical recorded; walking the whole way.
- Exposure
- +0
- Mostly sheltered; shade is listed.
Our reading (Easy) differs from the agency's (Moderate). The agency knows its trail; the breakdown shows which factor moved ours.
Commitment
How long it takes
- Hiking
- 1h58–2h40
- 2.6 mph moving on natural tread, no stops. 12 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
- Running
- 56–75 min
- 5.5 mph moving on natural tread, no stops. 12 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
- Family pace
- 3h12–4h49
- 1.5 mph moving on natural tread, no stops. 12 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
Terrain
Underfoot
- Surface
- Crushed stone, Sand, Paved
- Technicality
- Nothing technical recorded
- Crossings
- None recorded
- Exposure
- Mostly shaded maritime forest.
- Grade
- Steepest quarter mile 0.8% · 0% of the route climbing at 5%+ · 98% near level Trailfinder reading
Recorded hazards
- Ticks and mosquitoes
- Shared use with cyclists
- Standing water after heavy rain
What you'll see
On the record
- Live oak and cypress forest
- Connects the Bay side to the resort area
- Good hot-weather shade
Setting on file: Forest, Coastal, Park.
When to go
Seasonal character
Mosquitoes and ticks are active spring through fall in the swamp sections.
Virginia BeachYear-round access. Oceanfront wind and sun exposure are constant; plan for heat and UV from June through September and for cold onshore wind in winter.
General seasonal character, not a live condition report. Check the agency's alerts page for closures.
Who it fits
Is this for you?
- Runners
- Yes, running is supported
- Families
- Good with kids
- Strollers
- Stroller friendly
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Accessibility
- Wide and firm for much of its length, but sandy sections may be difficult for some wheelchair users. Contact the park for current surface conditions.
- Experience
- Comfortable for regular walkers with some fitness
The long version
About this route
Cape Henry Trail crosses First Landing State Park from the Shore Drive contact station toward the Narrows and the 64th Street entrance. It is the park's transportation spine — wide, gently graded, and open to bikes — which makes it the easiest way to see cypress swamp and live oak forest without technical footing.
Runners use it as a shaded alternative to the Boardwalk on hot days. The surface varies between packed sand, crushed stone, and short paved segments, so shoes with a little grip help after rain.
WildlifeDeer, raccoons, and occasionally cottonmouth near water. Give snakes a wide berth. Wildlife guide
If not this one
Related, and why
Virginia Beach
Bald Cypress Trail
- Distance
- 1.8mi
- Elevation gain
- 10ft
- Time (agency)
- ~45 min
- Boardwalk
- Sand
- Shaded
Shorter version · 1.8 mi if time is short.
Virginia Beach
First Landing State Park Trail Network
- Distance
- 20mi
- Elevation gain
- Gain not on file
- Hiking time (estimate)
- Your call
- Boardwalk
- Sand
- Shaded
Longer version · 20 mi when you want more of the same.
Virginia Beach
Mount Trashmore Park Loops
- Distance
- 1.5mi
- Elevation gain
- 60ft
- Time (agency)
- ~35 min
- Paved
Nearby · 7 mi from this trailhead.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
- Distance
- 3mi
- Elevation gain
- 0ft
- Time (agency)
- ~1h13
- Paved
- Coast
Nearby · 7 mi from this trailhead.
Before you drive
What to know first
Closures and conditions change. Check the agency's alerts page before leaving.
Start here
First Landing Trail Center (Shore Drive)
36.91660, -76.05530
Open the trailhead in a map appState park lot; day-use fee applies and fills on summer weekends.
- Parking
- Park at the Shore Drive contact station or the 64th Street entrance. State park parking fee applies.
- Fees
- Virginia State Parks day-use parking fee applies.
- Permits
- Not on file
- Hours
- Park hours vary seasonally; check the state park page before a dawn or dusk run.
- Restrooms
- Restrooms at the contact station and campground areas.
- Water
- Water available at developed park facilities.
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Cell service
- Not on file
- Emergency
- Not on file
Provenance
- Facts:
- verified against the managing agency · last checked August 29, 2026.
- Route line:
- 7994 OpenStreetMap ways (ODbL), fetched 2026-09-05; elevation from USGS 3DEP 10 m, 2026-09-05. Assembled as single line.
- Readings:
- anything marked Trailfinder reading is derived by Trailfinder from those sources, not published by the agency.
Before you go: Trail conditions, access rules, weather, water availability, and closures can change. Check the linked official source before leaving and choose a route appropriate for your experience and current conditions.