North Bank Trail Head

Amazing trail on a perfect day. Moderate hike. Bring your treks and find your peace.

You can do it either 2.5 mile (one way straight line) or 6.1 mile (rectangular loop). This trail is great for hiking. It goes through nature, beside rail lines, James river and some historic places. The only issue I found was a little bit annoying is there are a lot of bikers. During my 2.5hr hike, I had encountered bikers at least 12 times, and every time you gotta be extra careful to leave them space. Other than that, no complaints. I loved the variety of landscape it goes through.

Great trails with a variety of sights. Be careful when it’s wet out as it can get muddy. Also keep an ear our for bikers as some paths are narrow and windy so it can be tricky to be able to dodge out of the way if you have headphones in. If you enjoy hikes I highly recommend this one.

As others have said, this trail has so many facets, so many views, so many ups and downs, so many places to sit on a rock and enjoy the space. Just remember, it's a shared trail and you do get serious mountain bike riders on the trail. So, be alert, be courteous, and say hi to everyone you see. I tried to take my bike on it, and hopped off the trail as soon as I could because it's a very challenging bike trail which is not suitable for my level of skill. I would just rather hike it and take it all in.

Being from Southside Richmond, I enjoy parking in the Westover area, crossing the Nickel Bridge, and entering the TH near the Pump House parking lot to the left before the toll booths. North Bank Trail is particularly nice when a more relaxed and sunnier hike is desired. It is a relatively flat course with several switchbacks and some elevation changes paralleling the river, Maymount, Hollywood cemetery, terminating beneath the Lee Bridge. To extend your hike, you can crossover to Belle Isle on the pedestrian suspension bridge and explore, then return the same way for an 8 mi hike. Or you can continue to the back of Belle Isle, across its bridge to Buttermilk Tr. and make a loop back across Potterfield Pedestrian Bridge. From there, it will be nearly 10 mi round-trip. Great hike w great views!