Experience Virginia Beach's Bike Trails

With over 100 miles of trails throughout our diverse coastal environment, Virginia Beach is a cyclists paradise. No matter your skill level, there’s a trail for everybody here. While there are many trails from which to choose, that can get you anywhere you want to go, here are some of our favorites.

Cape Henry Trail

This 7.5-mile trail is the longest trail within First Landing State Park, stretching from the park’s northern border to southernmost entrance off of Atlantic Avenue. Accessible to both hikers and bicyclists and running parallel to Shore Drive, the Cape Henry Trail passes through an old-style beach neighborhood where salt boxes sit comfortably next to contemporary renovations. The flat trail, shaded in places by pine and live oak trees, is perfect for avid bird watchers as you’ll see osprey and egrets, and maybe even an elusive eagle. The trail heads through the park, past the beaches of the secluded Narrows, and connects at the northern tip of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. We’d recommend mountain bikes for a smoother ride.

Sand Ridge Trail

With 15 hiking and biking trails, varying in length and ranging from easy to difficult, there are many ways to explore one of the last remaining undeveloped areas on the east coast in False Cape State Park. The longest, and most difficult trail, Sand Ridge Trail, is 6.2 miles and takes bikers from near the entrance of the park all the way down to the North Carolina state border. For the dedicated outdoorsmen, we’d also recommend navigating the entire 15.3 miles of trails in the park, where you will experience beaches of both an ocean and a bay, dunes, maritime forests, marshes, and wooded swamps, all in one visit.

Pungo Loop Trail

The Pungo bike loop is a local favorite thanks to limited traffic and unbeatable views of vineyards, strawberry fields and waterways. For the newbie just getting started in cycling to the seasoned century rider, this bike loop is best enjoyed starting and ending at Red Mill Commons area. Make sure to carry enough water for this 19.84-mile loop, as the first water stop is over 15 miles into your ride.

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk was built with cyclists in mind. With separate biking and walking paths, cyclists can ride their beach cruisers along the coast without having to dodge pedestrians or cars. For a classic Virginia Beach adventure, rent a four-wheeled surrey bike and work as a team with your entire family as you pedal full-steam ahead. With rental stations all along the boardwalk, you can come right off the beach and hop aboard.

The 3-mile long Boardwalk is also our favorite place to break out our favorite beach cruiser bikes. You can even find tandem beach cruisers for a more challenging cooperative experience beside the beach. Whether you opt to ride the entire length of the Boardwalk or just ride your bike from stop to stop, this is one of our favorite Virginia Beach experiences.

Independence Boulevard Trail

The paved Independence Boulevard Trail is a 3.5-mile trail running along to S. Independence Boulevard in two separate sections. The northern part starts at Green Meadows Drive, near Mount Trashmore Park, and leads to the Lynnhaven Parkway Trail, which you can take all the way to the Lynnhaven Mall. The southern trail goes from the Salem Road Trail at Independence Boulevard west to the Stumpy Lake Natural Area, which consists of a 278-acre lake with a raised overlook.

Lynnhaven Parkway Trail

The Lynnhaven Parkway Trial is over six miles in length and leads to shopping options at the Lynnhaven Mall. This paved trail is easy for all experience levels and bike types, and can be accessed by the Independence Boulevard Trail, Salem Road Trail, and the Rosemont Road Trail.

Lake Trashmore Loop

At 1.9 miles in lake, Lake Trashmore Loop, at Mount Trashmore Park, is a quick and easy bike ride for all skill levels and ages. This lightly-trafficked loop offers a number of activity options and is open year-round.