Running · Richmond to Jamestown, Virginia
Virginia Capital Trail
A fully paved 50-plus-mile route from Richmond to Jamestown, separated from traffic nearly the whole way.
- Distance
- 51.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,200 ft
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Typical time
- Not yet verified
About this route
The Virginia Capital Trail connects Richmond's riverfront to Jamestown along Route 5, entirely paved and physically separated from the road for most of its length. Mile markers, trailhead parking, and periodic services make it the easiest long-distance route in Virginia to plan.
Runners typically pick a segment — Richmond to Four Mile Creek, or Charles City to Chickahominy — rather than the whole thing. Shade is inconsistent, so summer outings need a water plan.
Why this difficulty rating: Paved and gently rolling; only the total distance is demanding.
Highlights
- 50+ paved miles
- Historic Route 5 corridor
- Multiple trailheads with parking
Map and trailheads
Approximate locations for orientation only. Carry an offline map — cell service is unreliable on much of this network.
Great Shiplock Park (Richmond)
trailhead
Small free lot; fills on weekends.
Know before you go
- Route type
- Point to point
- Surfaces
- Paved
- Setting
- River, Urban, Park
- 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
- Paved and separated from traffic; wheelchair and stroller friendly throughout.
- 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
- Limited shade
- Road crossings at some trailheads
- Sparse services between towns
Related routes
Trail running
Belle Isle & the James River Park System
Richmond · Central Virginia & Richmond
Island singletrack, granite riverbanks, and technical urban trail running in the middle of Richmond.
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 100 ft
- Route type
- Loop
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Surface: Rocky, Dirt, Gravel
- Whitewater views downtown
- Suspension footbridge access
Running
High Bridge Trail
Farmville · Southside & the Piedmont
A 31-mile crushed-stone rail-trail crossing the Appomattox River on a bridge 125 feet above the valley.
- Distance
- 31 mi
- Elevation gain
- 500 ft
- Route type
- Point to point
- Difficulty
- Easy
Surface: Crushed stone
- High Bridge river crossing
- 31 continuous miles