8 Beautiful Walks to Take Around Richmond
Any stroll around this city is likely to be a beautiful one, but here’s our roundup of some of the best.
Image Source: Divya Williams
Byrd Park
Byrd Park offers a little something to everyone. Chances are, you’ll find families bringing kids to marvel at the ducks, readers grabbing a shaded bench with their books, picnickers setting up on a grassy hill, and more. For walkers making the rounds, you get three little lakes for the price of one: Boat Lake, Swan Lake, and Shields Lake.
Location: 600 S Blvd (Byrd Park)
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Image Source: Divya Williams
Pony Pasture
You’d be hard pressed to find a guide of mine that doesn’t mention Pony Pasture, so it clearly holds a special place in my heart. These unpaved paths wind through shady woods and take you right along the river or further into wetlands, depending on which trail you choose.
Location: 7200 Riverside Dr (Stratford Hills)
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Image Source: Divya Williams
Maymont
Maymont offers plenty of trails from the gardens and arboretum to their wildlife trail. You can stop along the way at the Stone Barn Welcome Center and the Maymont Farm (pet the sheep and feed the goats!), and for a fee you can visit the Robins Nature Center (hello otters!) and the Maymont Mansion. Enter from any of three entrances, each offering free but limited parking.
Location: 1700 Hampton St (Maymont)
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Belle Isle
You can visit Belle Isle again and again and find a different trail to try each time. With beautiful views and paths that take you right to the river, this park is sure to keep you coming back.
Location: 1 Belle Isle (Downtown)
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Monument Avenue
Unlike the other spots here, Monument Ave isn’t a park or a trail, but this iconic street couldn’t be left off the list. Lined with beautiful architecture and split by a tree canopy down the median, it’s the exact picture that comes to mind when thinking of Richmond.
Location: Monument Ave
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Image Source: Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
Virginia Capital Trail
The Virginia Capital Trail offers 51.7 paved miles for visitors of all kinds: walkers, runners, bikers, skateboarders, you name it. It runs from Richmond to Williamsburg with plenty of free parking options throughout, and the trail offers 45 attractions along the way that you can check out.
Location: Runs through the City of Richmond, Henrico County, Charles City County, and James City County
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Libby Hill Park
Libby Hill Park is one of the three original parks in Richmond's park system, and it offers one of the best views of the city from that high hill. While the park itself isn’t a very long walk, a stroll through Church Hill that lands you here would definitely help you hit your step goal.
Location: 2801 E Franklin St (Church Hill)
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Image Source: Venture Richmond
Canal Walk
This 1.25-mile walk along the banks of the canals has access points between 5th and 17th St. This short stroll gets you more than just waterfront views though, with plenty of exhibits and public art along the way.
Location: 1512 Canal Walk (Downtown)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Divya is a Richmond explorer in search of the best bites, bevs, and beautiful views this city has to offer. She's a Leo sun, Flying Squirrel rising. Find her at Pony Pasture with her dog Bean, sipping sauvy b on the Jardin patio, or enjoying a Cobra Kai at Jack Brown's—notch card in hand. Follow along @divwilliams.
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