Ever since I went to the first information meeting for Bike Walk Academy through Sports Backers, I have been super excited about this trail. It was merely a proposed idea at the time. The route is based on the old trolley line that used to run between the Town of Ashland and Richmond in the early 1900’s. Those greenways still exist, lending itself to the perfect place to begin a multi-use path for recreational travel.
It’s been a long journey, but finally the trail is beginning to take shape. The initial portion is nearly complete, starting in Ashland at Carter Park and progressing along the existing Trolley Line Trail. This is a portion I run frequently, so it’s been fun to see the progress and even talk to the workers responsible for its formation! The Town of Ashland even got a grant from REI to provide a bike repair station that is in Carter Park.
The plans for the trail as proposed by VDOT will extend it through several counties, intersecting the existing and well-traveled Capital Trail, and taking you on to Petersburg. It will take advantage of as many existing trails and bike lanes as possible, and will be 43 miles long in total!
On October 21st, there was a ground breaking ceremony in Carter Park. Several lawmakers were in attendance, including Governor Ralph Northam. He revealed the trail’s new name: the Fall Line Trail.
Sports Backers has created a virtual event to help assist with completion of the trail. Find out how you can become a trailblazer below!
Projects like this are a big monetary investment in the region, but in the long run, will help promote economic growth in the areas where the trail intersects. We can look at the growth along the Capital Trail in Charles City with restaurants and wineries and to the college town of Farmville, VA with their positive changes since the completion of the High Bridge Trail.
I’m most looking forward to having a safer place to run or ride my bike in my own county that is off the main roads. The trail will run right through my part of Hanover County eventually! After several close calls on the streets near my rural home, this will be a welcome change in my options for exercise outdoors.
If you live in the Richmond metro area, continue to let your local lawmakers know that you support this project through emails, phone calls, and posts to social media.
Do you live in the RVA area? Are you as excited about the Fall Line Trail as I am? Do you have recreational trails in your area? I’d love to hear about it! As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 
Sounds like an amazing trail and it is always good news when safe trails, especially for bikes, are available.
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I can’t wait for the entire trail to be complete! And, yes, safe biking areas are always great! I’ll be able to ride to Williamsburg from my house almost entirely on trail by connecting to the Capital Trail, the east-west RVA region trail!
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That sounds amazing. I live in Victoria and have been impressed with the bike lane infrastructure that has been built that allows cyclists to travel almost anywhere in their own lane. I really like the idea of much longer rides totally by trail.
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Your bike lanes sound wonderful! It seems like an uphill battle in some areas here to support outdoor spaces for safe recreation. These trails are progress, though!
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What an amazing project for your town. Hats off to REI for getting involved as well. We had a similar trail back in Michigan that was 26 miles long. I’d do all of my long runs on it! Definitely miss having that. Can’t wait to see it when it’s done!
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It will be amazing, for sure!
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