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Bear Creek Lake State Park  
Five short easy-to-moderate trails, seven miles total. Wander through the hardwood forest and around the 40-acre lake. Bear Creek Lake Park was created in 1938 by 100 unemployed men, including carpenters and farmers under the direction of the Virginia Department of Agriculture. Fee; 804-492-4410

Holliday Lake State Park  
The five and one-half mile Lakeshore Trail follows the shore of Holliday Lake, providing great views of wildlife on the lake and in the forest. Other, shorter trails in the park traverse hardwood forests, wetlands and a
managed pine plantation. Access to the 12-mile Carter Taylor multi-use trail can be found in the park as well. Fee. Access: Go east on Route 460 from Lynchburg through Appomattox. Take Route 24, right on 626, left on 640, and right on 692. Call 434-248-6308

Twin Lakes Sate Park  
Three different hiking trails (easy to moderate) encompassing six miles can be found in this unique 349-acre park, home to Goodwin Lake (15 acres) and Prince Edward Lake (36 acres). Hikes go around each lake, and the third is a forest trek. Dogwood Hollow Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail. Take Route 360 west of Burkeville to Route 613 north. Go east on Route 629. Fee; 434-392-3435

Prince Edward County Nature Trail  
An easy 1.7-mile double loop, self-guided trail in a 75-acre forest. Twenty-six interpretive markers guide hikers through mature forest, lowland and hardwoods, and past an old mill site. From Farmville, go south on Route
15 for eight miles to marked parking area. No fee; 434-746-8505

Appomattox River Trail Park  
A .75-mile trail in Dinwiddie County operated by the City of Petersburg. Trail extensions of 4.5 miles into Petersburg are planned. The trail follows a towpath along an old canal and is flat and narrow. Open April through
October. Access off Route 600 (Matoaca Bridge Road) near the village of Matoaca. Fee.

Appomattox River Heritage Trail  
One mile easy walk on south bank of the Appomattox River. Trail includes fishing and canoe access and interpretive signage about the history of the river and the community. Operated by Petersburg Public Works Department. From I-95 take the Washington Street Exit. From Washington Street turn right onto Sycamore Street and then right again onto Old Street. Go one block to Cockade Alley, and turn left. At River Street turn right and left at Third Street. Cross railroad tracks and turn left. Take left on Sapony Street, right on Rolfe Street. Parking is at end of lot. Fee.

Occoneechee State Park  
Situated on Virginia's largest lake, Bugg's Island, are 3.1 miles of easy walking trails through woodlands and pass scenic lake views. Visitors learn the history of the Occoneechee Indians who lived here for 400 years and of an early 19th-century plantation. One-mile interpretive trail leads to terraced gardens of old plantation grounds. From I-85 take Route 58 exit at South Hill. Park is one mile east of Clarksville. Fee; 434-374-2210

Appomattox History Trail  
Follow the historical trail of the Confederacy's last hours on this six-mile easy-to-moderate interpretive historical loop that starts and ends at the Appomattox Court House visitor center. Crosses through forests and open
fields to the McLean House, where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant in 1865. From the Town of Appomattox go east on Route 24 for three miles to entrance of Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Fee; 434-352-8987

Amelia Wildlife Management Area  
The 2,217 acres here include 100 acres of water and 850 acres of fields. Trails range from .7 to four miles and are all easy, crossing through a variety of habitats, which includes Appomattox River frontage. The four-mile
Woodcock Trail winds along a small stream with access from Route 652. Also off Route 652 at the boat ramp is the 2.5-mile-loop Lake Trail. Marsh Point Trail is a 1-mile hike that runs the ridge. From Route 360 east of Amelia, take Route 604 north. Go seven miles to Mason's Corner. Turn left on Route 616. Go 1.5 miles and turn right on Route 652 to entrance. Fee; 804-561-3350

Staunton River State Park  
Five hiking trails from .1 to .7 miles can be used as connectors to the 7.5-mile multi-use River Bank Trail, which flows through stands of walnut, pine locust, sourwood, hickory, cedar and sweet gum and then follows the
shores of both the Staunton and Dan rivers. Because the park is a peninsula between these two rivers, waterfowl are abundant and can be sighted from any of the trails. Park is 18 miles east of South Boston. Take Route 360 to Route 344. Follow Route 344 for ten miles. Fee; 434-572-4623

Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park  
Three loop trails range in length from .7 to one mile and go through the battlefield and along wooded areas. Virginia's last major Civil War battle was fought here April 6, 1865. Five miles east of Farmville. Take Route 307
north or Route 307 to Route 617 north. No fee; 434-392-3435

Pamplin Historical Park 
Follow the easy 1.75-mile Breakthrough Trail to understand the decisive Civil War battle that took place here on April 2, 1865. Optional interpretive loops wind through woods and field behind earthworks. Included on the trail are recreated Confederate winter huts. Take I-95 south to I-85 south to Exit 63A. Park entrance on left in one mile. Fee; 1-877-PAMPLIN or www.pamplinpark.org.

Sandy River Reservoir  
There are 300 acres of natural area and a 740-acre lake here. Six miles east of Farmville off Route 460. No fee; 434-392-8837

Willis River Trail  
Sixteen-mile (one way) moderate trail through mature hardwood forest and overlooks at Winston Lake and along the Willis River. Eleven miles into hike the trail crosses Little Bear Creek and touches the state park. Trail can be entered from Cumberland State Forest by taking Route 45 to Route 663, then Route 615 to a right on Route 608. Watch for Warner Forest Road to the right, and take it to the trailhead at swinging bridge. No fee; 804-492-4121 or 804-492-4410

Cumberland Multi-Use Trail  
This 17-mile easy-to-moderate loop through the Cumberland State Forest and Bear Creek Lake State Park includes mostly forested trails, including oak, hickory and loblolly pine. Cutover areas are managed for wildlife habitat. Deer, turkey and bobcats are common in the 16,233-acre forest. The CMT is a wide trail marked by blue blazes. Trailheads and parking are at the forestry center and state park. Staring from the park adds four miles. Preferred parking for horses is at the forestry center. Pay to park at the state park. 804-492-4121 or 804-492-4410

Carter Taylor Multi-Use Trail  
A 12-mile loop traversing a variety of terrain, with one steep half-mile section. This multi-use trail circles through Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest and Holliday Lake State Park and can be accessed from numerous points in the loop. A multi-use spur trail in the state park connects to Carter Taylor Trail. Much of the hardwood and upland pine forests here are re-growth from 19th-century timber operations. Some areas have been harvested and replanted in the 20th century by the Virginia Department of Forestry. Cross Holliday Creek in the course of a jaunt through this Piedmont forest. From Route 60 at Mount Rush, take Route 24 toward
Appomattox. After seven miles, turn left on Route 636 to the forestry center. No fee; 434-983-2175 or 434-248-6308

Prince Edward Gallion State Forest  
Nine-mile out-and-back multi-use trail takes you through oak and hickory forests, as well as thick stands of loblolly pine. No fee. Take Route 360 west to Burkeville to Route 613 north, then 629 to the park. Call
434-392-3435

John H. Kerr Reservoir  
There are over 800 miles of shoreline at the John H. Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) in Mecklenburg County. Two trails are open to hikers, bikers and horses. Liberty Hill Nature Trail is a 1.6-mile easy loop trail with
interpretive signage. The Robert Muford Trail incorporates that trail and extends into a 10-mile one-way path. It can be turned into a 14-mile loop by using connecting dirt roads. You'll travel through mixed hardwood forests
and pine stands, cross a small creek, and then go past an old cemetery. From Route 58 near Boydton take Route 4, which leads into the property. Stop at visitor center for maps and directions. Open year round; fee. 434-738-6148

Staunton River Battlefield State Park  
The Battlefield Trail is a 1.2-mile path on an old railroad bed. This is an easy path open to hikers, horses and bikers. The trail starts at the park visitor center and passes by earthen Civil War fortifications, across three
bridges and through the battlefield. Interpretive signs explain the Battle of Staunton River Bridge, during which a rag tag group of Confederate "old men and young boys" held off an assault by 5,000 Union cavalry. Access to
the trail is also available in the town of Randolph, on the north side of Staunton River, in Charlotte County. Stop by the park's visitor center to enjoy the historical exhibits, two wildlife observation towers and a short nature trail. Take Route 92 to Clover. Go five miles to Route 600 and turn left. Go three miles and turn right on Route 855. No fee; 434-454-4312

James River State Park  
Currently there are three main loop trails, five miles in length. All trails are easy-to-moderate with wide doubletrack dirt and some gravel. You'll find some good uphill (yep, and that means downhill, too) portions here. The River Trail is about two miles along the James River between the canoe put-in and Dixon Landing. Yellow-blazed Running Creek is five miles. Take Route 60 west and turn right onto Route 605 at James River Bridge. Go seven miles and turn left onto Route 606. Fee; 434-933-4355

Briery Creek Wildlife Management Area  
Heavily forested area surrounding an 845-acre lake. The Nature Trail begins at the parking lot on Route 790 at the dam and winds along the lakeshore. Three to four miles of trails incorporate old logging roads and take hikers to various coves and backwater areas. Take Route 15 south from Route 460 at Farmville or Route 15 north from Route 369 at Keysville to Route 790. No fee; 434-738-6044

Dick Cross Wildlife Management Area  
Several easy loop trails including a .75-mile loop along Allen Creek. Total trails about four miles. Located along the Roanoke River below John H. Kerr Dam. Gently rolling elevation varies from 200-300 feet. Fourteen hundred acres of mainly open upland with 300 acres of broad flood plain. Major wintering area for waterfowel. From Route 58 near Boydton, between South Hill and Clarksville, take Route 4 south. Go five miles. 434-738-6044

Horsepen Lake Wildlife Management Area  
Numerous logging roads crisscross the rolling hills of this 3,065-acre tract drained by many springs and small streams. Five miles of well-maintained trails offer opportunity to see a variety of forest birds. Access is from
Route 60 at Buckingham Courthouse. Just west of the courthouse, take Route 638 south to the WMA. No fee; 434-561-3350

Petersburg National Battlefield   
Various trails, all easy and each less than four miles on gravel or hard surface roads. Bikers are allowed to go both ways on the otherwise one-way Siege Road at the battlefield. Gravel roads lead from Siege Road to a
variety of sights in this 1,500-acre park. A four-mile route connects eight battle sites. Horseback riders have 10 miles of natural surface riding available in the battlefield. Maps are available at the park entrance. Historical markers explain the significance of this Civil War site, where the 9 1/2-moth siege went down in the history books as America's longest. From I-95 take Washington Street Exit east. Continue 2.5 miles through Petersburg on Route 36 until you reach the park entrance. Fee; 804-732-3531

Occoneechee Wildlife Management Area
Sixteen-mile out-and-back gravel and doubletrack trails on a peninsula along the state border. The area is marshy; waterfowl is abundant. Access through Occoneechee State Park; from I-85 take Route 58 Exit at South Hill. Park is one mile east of Clarksville. After passing park entrance station, turn left, staying on hard surface road. The gravel road leading to the WMA is on the left across from the park office. Park fee; 434-525-7522

Hyde Park Farm Natural Science Center  
This plantation farm in Nottoway County has approximately six miles of gravel roads meandering through farms and woods. Five miles south of Burkeville on Route 625. Call ahead for permission. Fee negotiable;
434-645-8431

High Bridge Trail State Park

High Bridge Trail State Park is a multi-use trail ideally suited for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Its centerpiece is the majestic High Bridge, which is more than 2,400 feet long and 160 feet above the Appomattox River. The bridge was built in 1853 as part of the South Side Railroad. The park is in the early stages of development. So far, 22 of the park's 34 miles are open to the public.

Tobacco Heritage Trail / Roanoke River Rails to Trails

The Tobacco Heritage Trail (THT), which is being constructed primarily along abandoned railroad corridors through Southside Virginia, will offer an opportunity for walking, bicycling, and all forms of non-motorized transport off the public highways. While the initial development of the THT is located in Southside Planning District, when fully developed, the Tobacco Heritage Trail is anticipated to extend into other Southside counties and connect with other communities’ greenways and trails. County roads may be utilized for connectivity and identified with signs. The Virginia Beach Pipeline, much of which is located on the abandoned Virginian
Railroad, could link Southside to the Hampton Roads area. Through other localities’ trails or property easements, there is the promise of a “Beaches to Bluegrass” Trail. Click here to learn more.

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