Charlottesville has nearly 6 miles of paved trails and about 30 miles of nature trails. Lengths, surfaces, trailheads, parking and where bikes and dogs go.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from Charlottesville Parks and Recreation’s Trails page and City Trails Map (PDF), and the Rivanna Trails Foundation.

Charlottesville Parks and Recreation looks after nearly 6 miles of paved trails and about 30 miles of nature trails. The paved, multi-use spines are the Rivanna River Trail from Riverview Park and the John Warner Parkway trail north from McIntire Park; the volunteer-built Rivanna Trail footpath links woods and creeks around the city. Every city trail is open to biking, hiking and jogging except the two natural areas, Ivy Creek and Ragged Mountain, which are hiking only.

Who to call

  • Trails: 434-970-3656, trails@charlottesville.gov
  • Parks and Recreation: 434-970-3260
  • Rivanna Trails Foundation (volunteer): info@rivannatrails.com

The main trails

Trail Length and surface Start and parking Bikes Dogs
Rivanna River Trail About 2.3 miles, paved, accessible Riverview Park, 1909 Chesapeake St.; north to River Road under the Free Bridge Yes Leashed; off-leash on designated Riverview trails Tue.-Thu.
John Warner Parkway trail Paved, from the U.S. 250 Bypass to Rio Road CARS rescue squad, 828 McIntire Road; Melbourne Road; CATEC, 1000 Rio Road East Yes Leashed
Pen Park Nature Trail 1.5 miles, wide and flat main path with side trails Behind the Pen Park picnic shelters, 1300 Pen Park Road Yes Leashed
Pen Park Fitness Trail Half-mile paved loop, 20 stations Behind the Pen Park picnic shelters Yes Leashed
Greenbrier Park Trail 8-foot stone-dust path with boardwalks Greenbrier, Brandywine or Jamestown drives Yes Leashed
Schenk’s Greenway Quarter-mile, paved Along McIntire Road Yes Leashed
Forest Hills Park Trail Quarter-mile, paved Forest Hills Park, 1022 Forest Hills Ave. Yes Leashed
Ragged Mountain Natural Area Natural-surface trails around the reservoir Trailhead parking lot No No dogs
Ivy Creek Natural Area Natural-surface trails by the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir Trailhead lot No No dogs

Trail by trail

Rivanna River Trail. The city calls it a handicapped-accessible paved trail. It starts at Riverview Park at the end of Chesapeake Street on the city’s eastern edge and meanders about 2.3 miles north along the river to the Veterans of Foreign Wars property and River Road, passing under the Free Bridge on U.S. 250. North of Riverview Park it crosses private land on a public right-of-way, so stay on the path. Riverview Park has a large paved lot, a playground and an open field.

John Warner Parkway trail. A paved path built mostly on the old Southern Railroad line, from the U.S. 250 Bypass at McIntire Park north to Rio Road. North of Melbourne Road it runs through 49 acres of newer parkland, and the Rivanna Trail footpath runs beside it, closer to Meadow Creek. The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is near the Melbourne Road crossing.

Pen Park. The 1.5-mile nature trail follows the Rivanna River. Enter the park, turn left at the tennis courts, start behind the picnic shelters, pass through the half-mile fitness loop and follow the fence line down to the river, then go right, downstream. Return the same way, up the new trail to the cemetery and clubhouse, or along the bottom of the golf course to Meadow Creek.

McIntire Park. Nature trails run along the creek and through mature woods; enter behind the picnic shelters, north of the baseball fields or from the Charlottesville High School bridge. More trails are being built on the east side of the railroad as part of the botanical garden.

Greenbrier Park and Meadow Creek. An 8-foot stone-dust path runs the length of Greenbrier Park on the north bank of Meadow Creek, with boardwalks over wetlands. The Rivanna Trail footpath continues through Meadowcreek Valley and Meadowcreek Gardens toward Hydraulic Road; the city plans a parallel multi-use path and two new bridges there.

Heyward Community Forest, 1730 Reservoir Road. 142 acres of forest and rock outcrops with new trails built by volunteers; park in the lower lot. A creekside trail along Reservoir Road is planned to connect it with Ragged Mountain.

Ragged Mountain Natural Area. The city’s largest natural area, with natural-surface trails around the reservoir; maps are at the trailhead lot. Hiking only, and no dogs.

The Rivanna Trail loop

The Rivanna Trails Foundation, a volunteer group funded by donations, is building and maintaining a footpath that encircles Charlottesville, following the Rivanna River, Meadow Creek and Moore’s Creek. Volunteers adopt trail sections, and the foundation holds work parties; email info@rivannatrails.com to help.

Rules

  • Most parks and their trails are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; McIntire and Pen parks to 10 p.m.
  • Dogs must be leashed on all city trails. See dog-friendly Charlottesville.
  • No motor vehicles. Drones must follow FAA rules.
  • Download the city’s trails map, or the Charlottesville Parks and Rec app, before you go.

What this means for you

  • For an easy, flat walk or ride, start at Riverview Park or Pen Park.
  • For a longer bike ride, the John Warner Parkway trail runs from McIntire Park to Rio Road.
  • For a real hike, Ragged Mountain; leave the bike and the dog at home.

Related guides: parks and trails, dog-friendly and getting around.

Frequently asked questions

What is the longest paved trail in Charlottesville?

The Rivanna River Trail is a city-managed, accessible paved trail that runs about 2.3 miles north from Riverview Park, under the Free Bridge on U.S. 250, to River Road. The John Warner Parkway trail is also paved, from the U.S. 250 Bypass at McIntire Park north to Rio Road.

Where do I park for the John Warner Parkway trail?

The city lists three spots: near the CARS rescue squad at 828 McIntire Road at the south end, street parking on Melbourne Road in the middle, and CATEC at 1000 Rio Road East at the north end.

Can I bike on Charlottesville trails?

Yes. The city says all its trails are for biking, hiking and jogging, except Ivy Creek Natural Area and Ragged Mountain Natural Area, which are for hiking only.

What is the Rivanna Trail?

A footpath that the volunteer Rivanna Trails Foundation is building and maintaining to encircle Charlottesville along the Rivanna River, Meadow Creek and Moore’s Creek. It runs through Greenbrier Park, Meadowcreek Gardens and beside the John Warner Parkway trail.