James River Hike
This was a great hike to do without having to go to the mountains and if you like water, you’ll love this hike located mostly within the City of Richmond James River Park System. For an urban hike, there was a little bit of everything. There was nature with the geese, hawks, ducks, trees, and of course, the James River seen throughout most of the hike. There were also the urban distractions: traffic, people, trains, and something that we have not walked by on any other hikes on this site – 3 cemeteries. Surprisingly enough, even with all the distractions, this is a worthwhile hike. Look around as you hike and you will see some beautiful things.The trail starts at the same parking lot as the Belle Isle hike, head under the train trestle to the sidewalk and take a right heading to the hanging bridge underneath the Lee Bridge (Route 1/301) Note: Do not park under the trestle as you may get train grease on your car. It is about 0.5 miles to the other side of the bridge from the parking area. Stay straight as you come off the foot bridge passing an intersection on the right in about 100 yards, bear to the left past the Call Box, paralleling the Lee Bridge. You will pass another intersection in about 150 yards, stay straight and then cross the South Side pedestrian bridge.
Once on the South side of the James River, bear right and take the Low Water trail. If the river is high you will have to take the High Water trail. You will soon come to a concrete path, bear left. Continue on the trail and in 1 mile you will come to the James River Park System Headquarters and Visitor Center. Keep your eyes open on this mile long section for multiple small spur trails to view the wildlife on the many creeks that are flowing into the James River. Continue past the Visitor Center and reach the Boulevard Bridge in 1.2 miles. You will start getting closer again to this section of the James River and can see the outline of Richmond down river.
Go under the bridge and take a left over the railroad tracks, a not so obvious path will be in front of you, follow it up to the road and take a left towards the Boulevard Bridge walkway. Cross the bridge, up river is a beautiful railroad bridge, to the left and up on the hill is the Maymont House. Once across take a left towards the Northbank Trail, the trail begins near the kiosk. The next 0.6 miles of the trail will have the Maymont property on the left and the Kanawha Canal on the right. There will be a steep ramp and portion of the trail as you reach the intersection of Hampton Street and Kansas Ave. Follow Kansas Ave for 0.3 miles and take a right on Texas Ave towards the Northbank Trail parking area. Take a left into the parking area, the trail begins at the far end. At the first intersection bear to the left and the trail will go through a fence, it seems strange but that is where the trail goes. [Note: This part of the trail was a little confusing and with no blazes it made it even harder to follow. If you end up starting to go across a railroad pedestrian bridge, you have gone the wrong way, turnaround.]
Once through the fence it is about 1.5 miles back to the parking area. You will pass 3 separate cemeteries: Calvary, Riverview and Hollywood. There are some great views of the James River on this stretch of the trail. Keep heading towards the Lee Bridge and you can’t miss the parking area.
