Coastal Virginia & Hampton Roads · Chesapeake · Running · Out and back
Dismal Swamp Canal Trail
A straight, shaded paved corridor along the historic canal — flat mileage with almost no road crossings.
- Distance
- 8.6mi
- Climb (listed)
- 10ft
- Time (hiking est.)
- 2h26–3h18
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Terrain
- PavedShadedRiverside
The route
Where it is
No route line is on file for this trail yet, so the map shows the trailhead only. Trailfinder publishes lines only when they can be assembled from OpenStreetMap and checked against the agency distance.
What it feels like
What it feels like
Essentially level across 8.6 miles; 10 ft of listed gain barely registers. 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.
- Parking
- On-site parking is available at two access points. Northern Trailhead: from Route 17 South, turn onto Route 17 Business (George Washington Highway) and follow it about 1/2 mile to the trail entrance on the left. Boat Ramp / Ballahack Road access: continue on Route 17 South past mile marker 4, then turn right onto Ballahack Road. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. The managing agency does not state a parking lot capacity or a parking fee.
- Fees
- Free.
- Permits
- Not on file
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset, daily
- Restrooms
- Restrooms at the Northern Trailhead (1246 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, milepost 0) and at the Douglas Road intersection (milepost 3.50); portable toilet at the 5.75 milepost (Ballahack Boat Ramp).
- Water
- Not on file
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Cell service
- Not on file
- Emergency
- Not on file
How hard it will feel
Difficulty, explained
Easy
Paved and flat with minimal crossings.
8.6 miles is a real half-day.
- Distance
- +2
- 8.6 miles is a real half-day.
- Climb
- +0
- Essentially flat (10 ft listed).
- Footing
- +0
- Firm, even surface the whole way.
- Technicality
- +0
- Nothing technical recorded; walking the whole way.
- Exposure
- +0
- Mostly sheltered; shade is listed.
Commitment
How long it takes
- Hiking
- 2h26–3h18
- 3 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 10 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
- Running
- 1h08–1h31
- 6.5 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 10 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
- Family pace
- 3h50–5h44
- 1.8 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 10 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
Terrain
Underfoot
- Surface
- Paved
- Technicality
- Nothing technical recorded
- Crossings
- None recorded
- Exposure
- Not on file
Recorded hazards
- Limited services along the route
- Mosquitoes in summer
- Occasional black bear sightings in adjacent swamp
What you'll see
On the record
- Historic canal
- Continuous shade
- Very few road crossings
Setting on file: Forest, River.
When to go
Seasonal character
Coastal Virginia & Hampton RoadsComfortable October through April. Mid-summer brings high humidity, afternoon thunderstorms, and biting insects near marsh and swamp corridors.
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
- Paved and level; suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Experience
- Beginners welcome
The long version
About this route
Built on an old highway alignment beside the Dismal Swamp Canal, this trail is about as uninterrupted as paved running gets in Virginia: long, straight, tree-lined, and nearly free of intersections.
It suits marathon training and stroller walks equally. Wildlife sightings are frequent, and the canal history is worth reading about before you go.
If not this one
Related, and why
Coastal Virginia & Hampton Roads
Elizabeth River Trail
- Distance
- 10.5mi
- Elevation gain
- 0ft
- Hiking time (estimate)
- ~3h30
- Paved
- Riverside
Similar commitment · 10.5 mi, about the same day out.
Coastal Virginia & Hampton Roads
Noland Trail
- Distance
- 5mi
- Elevation gain
- 215ft
- Hiking time (estimate)
- ~2h02
- Crushed stone
- Shaded
- Riverside
Shorter version · 5 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 · 20 mi from this trailhead.
Before you drive
What to know first
Closures and conditions change. Check the agency's alerts page before leaving.
- Parking
- On-site parking is available at two access points. Northern Trailhead: from Route 17 South, turn onto Route 17 Business (George Washington Highway) and follow it about 1/2 mile to the trail entrance on the left. Boat Ramp / Ballahack Road access: continue on Route 17 South past mile marker 4, then turn right onto Ballahack Road. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. The managing agency does not state a parking lot capacity or a parking fee.
- Fees
- Free.
- Permits
- Not on file
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset, daily
- Restrooms
- Restrooms at the Northern Trailhead (1246 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, milepost 0) and at the Douglas Road intersection (milepost 3.50); portable toilet at the 5.75 milepost (Ballahack Boat Ramp).
- Water
- Not on file
- 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.
- 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.