Buttermilk Northbank Trail Loop

This trail is the epitome of an urban hike.  At about 6.2 miles, the loop is a multi-use walking and biking trail in Richmond that crosses the James River, bypasses a cemetery, traverses through several wooded areas, and provides access to Texas Beach and Belle Isle.  For walking, it's a pretty easy trail with just a few mild ascents and descents.  Casey and I haven't tried biking it yet, but I imagine that it takes a bit more finesse to manage the ramps, roots, rocks, and single-track areas on a bike.  The bikers were generally kind to us (and are expected to yield to pedestrians), but at points the trail is tight.  We parked at the Texas Beach access lot and took the trail in a clockwise direction, beginning on the Northbank trail, crossing the Tyler Potterfield Pedestrian Bridge, taking Railroad Ave. to get to the Buttermilk trail, following the Buttermilk trail to the Boulevard bridge, crossing the bridge, and then taking the rest of the Northbank trail back to the parking lot.  It may be an urban trail, but it's worth checking out if you are in the area!

Trail passes a cemetery

Northbank Trail

View from the T.Tyler Potterfield Bridge

View of rock climbers and pedestrians from near the bridge

Playing on rocks near Belle Isle

High Bridge Trail

High Bridge Trail has been on my to-do list for quite some time, but I've never had an excuse to get to Farmville, VA until recently.  Fortunately, timing worked out well last weekend and Casey and I were able to make a day trip to visit this neat bridge.  The bridge has some historical significance from the Civil War and from what I'd read, is an interesting place to visit.  It's not exactly a hike (although could make a nice walk), so Casey and I decided to bike it instead.  We started from a lot near downtown Farmville, biked a bit in the opposite direction to check out the town and then headed the 4.4 miles to the bridge.  Even in the dead of winter, the views from the top of the bridge were nice and the trail was excellent for a leisurely bike ride.  The trail actually spans 31 miles, but we didn't even attempt to do the whole thing this time around!   If you go, I'd recommend checking out the quaint downtown area as well as the bridge.  

View of the Appomattox River from High Bridge

Casey looking over the side of the bridge

The bridge doesn't look so high here, but it was right about at the treeline

In downtown Farmville