Best Running Trails in Richmond
Richmond, Virginia — updated August 21, 2026
Four Richmond routes for runners, from the paved Virginia Capital Trail to the sunrise-to-sunset dirt along the James River Park System.
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Richmond's running is organized around the James, which means most of the good mileage here is either paved and flat along the water or narrow dirt threaded through the James River Park System. The park trails share one useful rule: they are open sunrise to sunset, every day, so early runs and late-summer evening runs both work. Below, the routes are ordered by how well they hold up as running surfaces and by how settled their ratings are.
1. Virginia Capital Trail Richmond Trailhead
This is the most proven route on the list and the most straightforward to run: a paved trail that runs roughly 52 miles along the Route 5 corridor, starting from the Dock Street trailhead in Richmond. The rating, 4.7 across 494 reviews, is backed by enough traffic that it can be treated as reliable rather than promising. Because the trail is continuous and uninterrupted for long stretches, it suits anyone building distance who does not want to negotiate roots or elevation. Start at Dock Street and simply turn around at whatever mileage the day calls for. Historic sites, picnic spots and places to eat are spread along the corridor east of the city.
2. James River Park System Pony Pasture Trail
The highest-rated trail here, at 4.8 from 205 reviews, and the friendliest James River Park entry for runners who do not want technical footing: the main trails at Pony Pasture are gravel. Parking is available off Riverside Drive, and the trail network branches enough that you can string together different loops rather than repeating the same out-and-back. Open sunrise to sunset daily. Expect company beyond runners, since the same access point draws kayakers, anglers and birders, and the big flat rocks along the water pull crowds on warm weekends. Go early if you want the gravel to yourself.
3. North Bank Trail
The closest thing to a genuine trail run inside the city, reached from the south end of Texas Avenue, about five blocks east of the Hampton Street entrance to Maymont. Its 4.8 rating comes from just 45 reviews, so the number is encouraging rather than settled, but the trail's reputation among Richmond runners is not in question. The James River Park System's own advice is worth heeding: the path is good for hiking and running, but cyclists move fast on it, so stay alert on blind bends. Open sunrise to sunset daily.
4. Reedy Creek Trailhead
The access point for the Buttermilk Trail, and the pick for runners who want climbing and technical ground rather than smooth miles. It rates 4.5 from 121 reviews, a middling score for the park system that likely reflects how demanding the terrain is compared with the gravel elsewhere. From here you get trail along a river channel plus river access over several small islands, and a mountain bike trail links the main path near the park headquarters to the Buttermilk Trail. Runners on local forums also use this trailhead to reach the upper trail toward Belle Isle. Open sunrise to sunset daily.
What we left off
Two entries in the previous version were duplicate map listings rather than separate destinations: a second Pony Pasture pin with no ratings or reviews behind it, and the Reedy Creek parking lot, which is the car park for the trailhead already listed above. Both have been folded into the entries they belong to.