Near Palmyra, VA is Pleasant Grove, a beautiful 969 acre property
owned by Fluvanna County with significant involvement by the Fluvanna
Heritage Trail Foundation. The property contains miles and miles of hiking and horse trails following creeks and the Rivanna River. The main hiking trail is the Heritage Trail which mostly follows the river.
The trails meander through gentle woodlands, fields, creeks and the river. Located about 1 hour from Richmond VA, this is a worthwhile family friendly hike with great picnic facilities at the Eastern trailhead.
We hiked the Sandy Beach wheel chair accessible trail first which then ties back in with the Heritage Trail. The 4 miles of trail prior to reaching the Pole Barns will have 17+ trail intersections. When in doubt about which way to go, follow the Heritage Trail signs/arrows/yellow blazes.
- Mile 0.0 – The hike begins near the “Welcome Sign” at the end of the parking lot, very quickly reach Intersection 1, go right towards Sandy Beach.
- Mile 0.4 – Intersection 2, spur trail to river and beach. Return to intersection and bear right onto the River Bluff Trail. In 0.1 miles trail bears left, heading uphill.
- Mile 0.8 – Intersection 3, bear right onto yellow Heritage Trail(HT).
- Mile 1.5 – Go through 5 more intersections and 2 bridges, just after the 2nd bridge turn right onto the HT at Intersection 9 (Deep Creek Trail). The loop part of the hike will tie back into this intersection with Deep Creek Trail later in the hike.
- Mile 1.6 – Intersection 10 (Center Hill Trail), stay straight on the HT
- Mile 2.2 – Intersection 11, saw no named signs at this intersection but bear right and head down to creek with a broken bridge. There were “no biking” and “no horses” signs.
- Mile 2.3 – Intersection 12 (Fern Hill Trail), stay straight on the HT. Cross 2 small bridges prior to reaching the River Bluff.
- Mile 2.8 – River Bluff fenced area with views of the river.
- Mile 3.0 – Intersection 13, bear to the left as indicated by arrow. I don't remember seeing named signs at this intersection.
- Mile 3.2 – Intersection 14, bear to the left onto HT, trail is now following Burke Creek. I have a photo of the other trail names here but it turned out blurry so can't read them.
- Mile 3.3 – Intersection 15, bear right to “Overlook”, do not head to barns yet. You will very quickly come to an overlook (more a viewing area) of Burke Creek. After going to the creek come back and bear right onto the trail, which is a shared horse trail at this point.
- Mile 3.3 – Reach 2nd viewing area of Burke Creek. After viewing the creek bear right and in 100 feet reach Intersection 16, follow HT up to the Barns.
- Mile 3.8 – Intersection 17 (Brush Arbor Trail), stay on the HT.
- Mile 4.0 – Pole Barns, continue on gravel road through the middle of the barns.
- Mile 4.1 – Cool old Chevy Dump Truck at edge of woods on the right.
- Mile 4.3 – Fluvanna Heritage Trailhead Museum
- Mile 4.4 – Cemetery
- Mile 4.5 – At Paved Road, turn left towards Ballfields.
- Mile 4.6 – At “End State Maintenance” turn 90 degrees to the right and head to trail post at edge of woods. At trail post for Rock Brook Trail, cross ditch/creek and follow trail along edge of woods
- Mile 4.7 – Intersection 18, trail bears left into the woods. No sign here that I remember. Trail follows an unnamed creek.
- Mile 5.4 – Intersection 19, bear left onto Beech Grove Trail.
- Mile 5.5 – Cross creek and reach Intersection 20, bear right onto Deep Creek Trail.
- Mile 5.6 – Intersection 21, bear right staying on Deep Creek Trail.
- Mile 5.7 – Intersection 22, on left, bypass and then quickly turn right onto Intersection 09. You are now back on the Heritage Trail.
- Mile 5.7 – Intersection 09. You are now back on the Heritage Trail. Stay on the HT until you reach Intersection 03 passing Intersection 08, 07, 06, 05, and 04.
- Mile 6.3 – Intersection 03, this is the intersection you came up from earlier when you hiked the Sandy Beach trail. Do not turn left, stay on the HT.
- Mile 6.4 – Intersection 23 (Horse Shoe Trail), stay straight on the HT.
- Mile 6.6 – Intersection 01, bypass and head to Parking Lot.
- Mile 6.7 – Arrive at parking area.
