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Virginia Trailfinder

Coastal Virginia & Hampton Roads · Norfolk · Running · Point to point

Elizabeth River Trail

Norfolk's waterfront spine linking downtown, neighborhoods, and the river on mostly paved surface.

Trailhead viewOfficial page
Distance
10.5mi
Climb (measured)
0ft
Time (hiking est.)
2h59–4h01
Difficulty
Easy
Terrain
PavedRiverside

The route

Map and elevation, linked

0 ft up, 0 ft down · -3–13 ft

-00 mi2468Start
8.12 miles measured, 0 ft of climbing and 0 ft of descent, between -3 and 13 ft. No climb of 80 ft or more; the profile is essentially level.8.12 miles measured, 0 ft of climbing and 0 ft of descent, between -3 and 13 ft. No climb of 80 ft or more; the profile is essentially level.Trailfinder reading Measured from an OpenStreetMap line and the USGS 10 m elevation model, fetched 2026-09-05. Sampled terrain, not a GPS track.

What it feels like

What it feels like

Flat the whole way: the profile never moves more than a few feet. Firm, even surface.

Trailfinder readingFrom: 16 ft of total relief across 8.1 measured miles; surfaces on file: paved, boardwalk.

Before you drive

What to know first

Official · elizabethrivertrail.org

Closures and conditions change. Check the agency's alerts page before leaving.

Start here

Trailhead

36.85080, -76.28590

Open the trailhead in a map app
Parking
Not on file
Fees
Free.
Permits
Not on file
Hours
Not on file
Restrooms
Not on file
Water
Not on file
Dogs
Dogs allowed on leash
Cell service
Not on file
Emergency
Not on file
Source: elizabethrivertrail.orgLast checked August 29, 2026Report a change

How hard it will feel

Difficulty, explained

Official · elizabethrivertrail.org

Easy

Flat urban route; street crossings require attention.

Trailfinder readingEasy

10.5 miles is a full day for most people.

Distance
+3
10.5 miles is a full day for most people.
Climb
+0
Essentially flat (0 ft measured).
Footing
+0
Firm, even surface the whole way.
Technicality
+0
Nothing technical recorded; walking the whole way.
Exposure
—
Exposure not on file.

Commitment

How long it takes

Trailfinder reading
Hiking
2h59–4h01
3 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 0 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
Running
1h22–1h51
6.5 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 0 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
Family pace
4h40–7h
1.8 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 0 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.

Terrain

Underfoot

Surface
Paved, Boardwalk
Technicality
Nothing technical recorded
Crossings
Street crossings
Exposure
Not on file
Grade
Steepest quarter mile 0.8% · 0% of the route climbing at 5%+ · 95% near level Trailfinder reading

Recorded hazards

  • Street crossings
  • Limited lighting on some segments

What you'll see

On the record

  • Downtown Norfolk waterfront
  • Connects neighborhoods and transit
  • Flat and fast

Setting on file: Urban, 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
Largely paved and level, with some on-street segments where sidewalk quality varies.
Experience
Beginners welcome

The long version

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.

If not this one

Related, and why

Coastal Virginia & Hampton Roads

Noland Trail

Distance
5mi
Elevation gain
215ft
Hiking time (estimate)
~2h02
ModerateNo line on file
  • Crushed stone
  • Shaded
  • Riverside

Shorter version · 5 mi if time is short.

Coastal Virginia & Hampton Roads

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

Distance
8.6mi
Elevation gain
10ft
Hiking time (estimate)
~2h52
EasyNo line on file
  • Paved
  • Shaded
  • Riverside

Similar commitment · 8.6 mi, about the same day out.

Virginia Beach

First Landing State Park Trail Network

Distance
20mi
Elevation gain
Gain not on file
Hiking time (estimate)
Your call
ModerateNo line on file
  • 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
EasyNo line on file
  • Paved

Nearby · 9 mi from this trailhead.

Provenance

Facts:
verified against the managing agency · last checked August 29, 2026.
Route line:
167 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.