Blog on Bike Trails

Nelson County Bike Trails

Bike trails are another county asset that are enjoyed by many visitors and residents. Nelson County has a bike trail for every ability level.   Here are just a few ideas for bike rides from different regions within Nelson County. 

Wintergreen Resort Mountain Bike Trail:  Wintergreen Resort maintains a 7.5 mile mountain bike trail that is for intermediate to advanced mountain bike riders.  I have spoken to visitors and clients who have ridden this trail and it really is for upper intermediate to advanced riders.  Everyone enjoys the ride from the Out-of-Bounds Adventure Center to Stoney Creek in the Rockfish Valley.  Bikes are available for rental.  When you arrive in Stoney Creek, a Wintergreen shuttle is available to bring you back to Wintergreen mountain.  Keep in mind that you can stop by the Stoney Creek Bar & Grill in Stoney Creek for lunch or a cold drink after your ride.  The grill also has outdoor dining.

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail:    This is a Chappell family favorite.  The trail is for walkers, bikers or horseback riding.   This trail is perfect for any ability level as it is flat and well-maintained.  There are also a few picnic tables along the way.  We park in Piney River and then walk the two miles to Rose Mill and then back to the car park for a four-mile trip.  We are looking forward to the completion of the full seven mile trail. 

 The first 2 miles of the 7 mile trail has been completed between Piney River and Rose Mill. It's a beautiful and easy trail along the Piney River. There are parking lots at both ends of the trail. The trail is open sunrise to sunset. The final 5 miles should be completed in 2008/09. The trail provides spectacular scenic views of the Piney & Tye Rivers as well as an abundance of wildlife, rock formations and plant life. It provides opportunities for walking, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding and cross country skiing.

Delfosse Trail:   This is a trail that can provide a full-day of entertainment.  Not only can you bike ride or hike on this trail, but you can visit the DelFosse winery, picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  This challenging 5.5 mile trail was designed for hiking, mountain biking and occasional scheduled ATV riding. This trail rolls and twists around the mountain at the Delfosse Winery. The trail is open to the public from 9 am to dusk with access through the winery.   Bring a picnic and enjoy a beautiful day in Nelson wine country.  Call 434-263-6100 for details.

The Blue Ridge Parkway:  I have received several questions about bike riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Below is a popular route provided by the Nelson County Visitors Center:

Enjoy views from any of several scenic overlooks along the parkway. The 22-mile ride begins at Royal Oaks Cabins in Love (Milepost 16) and goes south to Tye River Gap and back. For the 40-mile ride described in the cue sheet below, begin at the same point, but head north to Milepost 0 at Afton Mountain. At this point, take the optional loop through the small hamlet of Afton, home of the legendary Cookie Lady, a weary cyclist's best friend.

0.0 - R Route 814
0.2 - L Blue Ridge Parkway (scenic overlooks into Shenandoah and Rockfish Valleys)
16.2 - L on exit to reach Route 250 East
16.3 - R Route 250 East (Rockfish Gap Tourist Information, long downhill, country store)
19.1 - R Route 750 (Bike Centennial's Route 76)
20.9 - R Route 6 in Afton (home of the legendary Cookie Lady on your right, just across railroad bridge) Head back up Route 6
22.3 - L Route 250 (watch traffic)
23.5 - R on ramp to Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park
23.6 - L on Blue Ridge Parkway
39.6 - R Route 814
39.8 - Return to  Royal Oaks

For Mountain Bikes:
0.0 - From milepost 16 Blue Ridge Parkway - cross the Parkway onto Route 814
Right onto Route 56 to North Fork - follow it back to the Parkway
Right onto the Parkway back to milepost 16