Running · Norfolk, Virginia
Elizabeth River Trail
Norfolk's waterfront spine linking downtown, neighborhoods, and the river on mostly paved surface.
- Distance
- 10.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 80 ft
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Typical time
- Not yet verified
About this route
The Elizabeth River Trail stitches Norfolk together — downtown waterfront, Ghent, Lambert's Point, and the river's working edge — with a mix of dedicated paved path and marked on-street connections.
It is the most useful urban running corridor in Hampton Roads and doubles as a genuine commuting route. Signage and surface quality vary by segment; the riverfront sections are the most scenic.
Why this difficulty rating: Flat urban route; street crossings require attention.
Highlights
- Downtown Norfolk waterfront
- Connects neighborhoods and transit
- Flat and fast
Map and trailheads
Approximate locations for orientation only. Carry an offline map — cell service is unreliable on much of this network.
Know before you go
- Route type
- Point to point
- Surfaces
- Paved, Boardwalk
- Setting
- Urban, River
- Amenities
- Parking, Restrooms, Water, Free, Open year-round
- Parking
- Not yet verified
- Restrooms
- Not yet verified
- Water
- Not yet verified
- Fees
- Free.
- Permits
- Not yet verified
- Hours
- Not yet verified
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Accessibility
- Largely paved and level, with some on-street segments where sidewalk quality varies.
- Stroller friendly
- Yes
- Good with kids
- Yes
- Seasonal notes
- Not yet verified
- Weather exposure
- Not yet verified
- Cell service
- Not yet verified
- Emergency
- Not yet verified
Hazards and wildlife
- Street crossings
- Limited lighting on some segments
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- Distance
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- Elevation gain
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- Route type
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- Fourteen footbridges
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- Distance
- 8.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 10 ft
- Route type
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- Difficulty
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