Virginia Beach · Virginia Beach · Running · Point to point
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
A continuous three-mile oceanfront promenade with a separate paved bike path — Virginia's most-used running surface.
- Distance
- 3mi
- Climb (measured)
- 0ft
- Time (agency)
- 55–90 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Terrain
- PavedCoast
The route
Map and elevation, linked
0 ft up, 0 ft down · 11–18 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, open to sun and wind.
Before you drive
What to know first
Closures and conditions change. Check the agency's alerts page before leaving.
Start here
2nd Street / Rudee Loop
36.82610, -75.96820
Open the trailhead in a map appMunicipal lot and metered street parking; paid in season.
- Parking
- Metered street parking and paid municipal garages along the oceanfront. Free lots are limited in summer.
- Fees
- No trail fee. Parking is paid in season.
- Permits
- Not on file
- Hours
- Open year-round; lighted at night.
- Restrooms
- Public restrooms at multiple street ends along the oceanfront.
- Water
- Drinking fountains and commercial services along the length of the Boardwalk.
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Cell service
- Reliable coverage along the oceanfront.
- Emergency
- Not on file
Other access points
- 40th Street — North end of the Boardwalk.
How hard it will feel
Difficulty, explained
Easy
Level paved surface with no obstacles. Difficulty comes only from distance, heat, and wind exposure.
Open to weather: the record warns of exposed sections.
- Distance
- +1
- 3 miles is a comfortable half-morning.
- 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
- +2
- Open to weather: the record warns of exposed sections.
Commitment
How long it takes
- Hiking
- 51–69 min
- 3 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 0 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
- Running
- 24–32 min
- 6.5 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 0 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
- Family pace
- 1h20–2h
- 1.8 mph moving on firm tread, no stops. 0 ft of climbing adds 0 min at a hiking pace.
Terrain
Underfoot
- Surface
- Paved
- Technicality
- Nothing technical recorded
- Crossings
- None recorded
- Exposure
- Full sun and wind exposure; no shade.
- Grade
- Steepest quarter mile 0.4% · 0% of the route climbing at 5%+ · 100% near level Trailfinder reading
Recorded hazards
- Heat and UV exposure
- Cyclist and scooter traffic on the parallel path
- Rip currents if entering the water
What you'll see
On the record
- Ocean views the entire way
- Lit for early and late runs
- Fully accessible surface
Setting on file: Coastal, Urban.
When to go
Seasonal character
Busiest June through August. Winter northeast wind can make the oceanfront feel far colder than inland forecasts.
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
- Fully paved and level end to end, with curb ramps and beach access mats at multiple street ends. Suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Experience
- Beginners welcome
The long version
About this route
The Boardwalk runs along the Atlantic oceanfront between 2nd Street and 40th Street, wide enough that walkers, runners, and cyclists rarely conflict. A separate paved path parallels it for wheeled traffic, which is what makes the walking surface so comfortable at any hour.
Because it is dead flat and lit at night, this is the default route for visitors, early-morning runners, and anyone testing a new pair of shoes. Out-and-back from 2nd to 40th and back is roughly six miles. Adding the Rudee Loop at the south end or continuing on street sidewalks north of 40th extends it further.
The trade-off is exposure. There is essentially no shade, onshore wind is constant, and summer midday sun is punishing. Most locals run before 8am or after 6pm from June through September.
If not this one
Related, and why
Virginia Beach
Cape Henry Trail
- Distance
- 6mi
- Elevation gain
- 12ft
- Time (agency)
- ~2h10
- Paved
- Sand
- Shaded
Longer version · 6 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
Shorter version · 1.5 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
Nearby · 7 mi from this trailhead.
Virginia Beach
Bald Cypress Trail
- Distance
- 1.8mi
- Elevation gain
- 10ft
- Time (agency)
- ~45 min
- Boardwalk
- Sand
- Shaded
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
2nd Street / Rudee Loop
36.82610, -75.96820
Open the trailhead in a map appMunicipal lot and metered street parking; paid in season.
- Parking
- Metered street parking and paid municipal garages along the oceanfront. Free lots are limited in summer.
- Fees
- No trail fee. Parking is paid in season.
- Permits
- Not on file
- Hours
- Open year-round; lighted at night.
- Restrooms
- Public restrooms at multiple street ends along the oceanfront.
- Water
- Drinking fountains and commercial services along the length of the Boardwalk.
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Cell service
- Reliable coverage along the oceanfront.
- Emergency
- Not on file
Other access points
- 40th Street — North end of the Boardwalk.
Provenance
- Facts:
- verified against the managing agency · last checked August 29, 2026.
- Route line:
- 3889 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.