Author
Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff
Saunders-Monticello Trail and Park System
This 9+ mile trail system is easily accessible from Charlottesville and located near several other attractions on Route 53, including Michie Tavern, Carter Mountain Orchard, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, James Monroe's Highland and Jefferson Vineyards. The trail system includes a range of hikes of varying difficulty.
The easier, ADA-accessible Saunders-Monticello Trail runs 2 miles through Kemper Park to the visitor center at Monticello, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Limited, on-site parking is available on Route 53 and the main parking lot is off of Route 20.
Note: Leashed dogs are welcome on all trails except for the boardwalk portions of the Saunders-Monticello Trail.
Highland Rustic Trails
Just over the mountain from the Saunders-Monticello Trail and park system are the Highland Rustic Trails, a system of rolling, scenic trails adjacent to the historic home of the 5th U.S. President, James Monroe. Be sure to tour James Monroe's Highland while you're there!
Note: Dogs are not allowed.
Rivanna Trail
The Rivanna Trail is great for hiking in the city. The 20+ mile loop trail system is primarily crushed gravel or dirt single-track, but the two-mile section from Riverview Park is paved and ADA accessible. Most of the system is within Charlottesville's city limits and sections range from 0.5 miles to 2.5 miles, with varying difficulty. You'll find the best parking options at Fontaine Research Park, Quarry Park, and Riverview Park.
Ragged Mountain Natural Area
Here you'll find almost seven miles of forested trails, featuring rugged terrain, which form a loop around Ragged Mountain Reservoir. Benches and wooden sculptures of animals can be found intermittently along the lake trail and make for great stopping points to take in the views. This 980-acre forest is just a short, scenic drive from Downtown Charlottesville.
Note: Dogs aren't allowed on this trail system.
Patricia Ann Byrom Forest Preserve Park
Explore a number of steep and strenuous, multi-use trails in this 600-acre park which has beautiful views! Try the 4-mile Little Flat Mountain Loop or the shorter Blackwells Hollow Trail.
Blue Hole Out-and-Back at Sugar Hollow
Blue Hole Out-and-Back is one of the most popular hikes in the area during the warmer months. Blue Hole is a swimming hole located about 1.5 miles from the parking area at Sugar Hollow/Charlottesville Reservoir. You'll walk along the South Fork Moorman River for a good portion of the hike and there are several stream crossings along the way, so waterproof shoes are ideal. This is an excellent out-and-back hike, especially if it's warm enough to swim!
Ivy Creek Natural Area
Ivy Creek Natural Area is a prime location for spotting wildlife on your hike. This 215-acre preserve in Albemarle County features 7 miles of trails with varying difficulty. Ivy Creek is situated on what was River View Farm, historically significant land that is listed on the Register of Historic Places.
The Blue Ridge Tunnel at Afton
The Blue Ridge Tunnel is a historic train tunnel built between 1850 and 1858 that is now a popular, public hiking trail. Visitors can start the hike at one of two trailheads, both a fairly short drive from Charlottesville. You'll want to bring a flashlight or headlamp, as the inner section of the tunnel is quite dark, even during the day!
Shenandoah National Park & Blue Ridge Parkway
There are hikes of varying difficulty along both the Skyline Drive (located within the Shenandoah National Park) and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trails along these scenic routes reward hikers with stunning views of the area. A few popular hikes are listed below.
Note that there is a fee to enter the Shenandoah National Park and entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway is free. Entry to both roads is weather dependent.
Humpback Rocks
With parking located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Humpback Rocks Trail is one of the most talked-about hikes in the area. A popular sunrise/sunset spot, it's hard to find a local who hasn't made the climb and many UVA students see the rocks before they graduate. Expect a short, steep climb that's just enough of a challenge to make the amazing views feel earned. The Humpback Rocks Trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail. Add an out-and-back leg on the AT to increase the mileage of this hike.
Turk Mountain
This 2.2-mile and roughly two-hour hike takes you to the summit of Turk Mountain, which offers stunning views to the west. The Turk Mountain parking area is relatively close to the southern entrance of the Shenandoah National Park, so if you're coming on I-64 from the Charlottesville area, this is a great option.
More Trails
Visit the Shenandoah National Park's website for more hiking information and additional details about the trails. The Blue Ridge Parkway's website also lists trails by milepost. You might even choose to travel to Charlottesville and Albemarle County on one of these scenic routes and stop for an outdoor adventure along the drive! Exploring the national park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are great ways to enjoy some time outdoors during your visit to the Charlottesville area.