BICYCLING IN THE JAMES RIVER PARK

There are a mix of very easy and extremely difficult trails revealing beautiful river vistas and important historic sites. The 1-mile loop around the perimeter of the island is an easy trail with no major inclines and is covered in mostly fine gravel. This is a fun leisurely ride when you wish to get out of the rush of downtown business and back to nature. It takes you beside river rapids and then back around by an old hydroelectric plant and an infamous Civil War POW camp.

Warning: Informal trails on the top and sides of the island can be dangerous. They are considered to be extremely challenging for mountain bikers.

	BELLE ISLE


			Across the rocks between Belle Isle and 22nd Street

	There are a mix of very easy and extremely difficult trails revealing beautiful river vistas and important historic sites. The 1-mile loop around the perimeter of the island is an easy trail with no major inclines and is covered in mostly fine gravel. This is a fun leisurely ride when you wish to get out of the rush of downtown business and back to nature. It takes you beside river rapids and then back around by an old hydroelectric plant and an infamous Civil War POW camp. Warning: Informal trails on the top and sides of the island can be dangerous. They are considered to be extremely challenging for mountain bikers.

	MAIN AREA OF PARK TO BELLE ISLE		HUGUENOT WOODS TO PONY PASTURE / WETLANDS

	Start at 42nd St. Parking lot, carry your bike down the stairs and head East along the river to 42nd St. Descend into the dry river bed through the geology study area. Ascend the ramp to the Belle Isle emergency access bridge. This route is about a mile and links with the Belle Isle trail system.		Narrow woodland path along the river then joins Riverside Drive, past William's Dam, and on to the Pony Pasture interior, about 1 mile. Here, there are many trails, including an old railroad route and a loop through a wetland, totaling about three miles in length.


	Belle Isle access		Buttermilk Trail


	BICYCLING IN THE JAMES RIVER PARK

	There is excellent bicycling on a mix of wide and narrow wooded trails linked throughout most of the park system. Click here for a map from the Ricmond Times-Dispatch or visit our Locations page.


	LAST UPDATED 6/8/08	WEBMASTER