This 54-acre island is part of the James River Park System, 450 acres of city-owned parks lining the James River, in the heart of downtown Richmond. From Main Street in downtown, follow signs for Belle Isle and the Valentine Museum. There is a parking lot on Tredegar Street past the museum. A footbridge crosses onto the island from the parking lot. A wide 2-mile loop runs past ruins of ironworks and a Civil War prison. More narrow trails explore the interior woodlands. Park closes at dusk. (804) 646-8911; www.jamesriverpark.org. GPS: N37 32.053' / W77 27.044'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 58, D2.
Located in the heart of Prince Edward—Gallion State Forest, Twin Lakes is accessed via VA 613 off US 360. You can put together a 6-mile hike around both lakes leading from high, forested hills into the marshy flow of the Sandy River at the head of the lake. There’s also an 8-mile multiuse trail for hiking, biking, and horses. There are beaches, camping, and cabins. (434) 392-3435; www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/twin-lakes. GPS: N37 10.399' / W78 16.205'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 46, C2.
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains northwest of Martinsville on Philpott Reservoir. The park entrance is 9 miles west of Bassett on VA 57. Whiskey Run Trail offers a wide view of the parkland and reservoir. Use it to form a 4.7-mile loop with Stuart’s Knob Trail and Iron Mine Trail. There’s a beach on Fairy Stone Lake, picnic facilities, camping, and cabins. The name comes from the staurolite stones that crystallize into a cross-like structure. (276) 930-2424; www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/fairy-stone. GPS: N36 47.547' / W80 07.008'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 26, B2.
This 20-mile greenbelt circles the entire city of Charlottesville, with numerous shorter loops possible. A good starting point is at Quarry Park. To get there, take exit 121 off I-64. Turn right onto Monticello Avenue, and take the first left onto Quarry Road. The park is on the left. The Rivanna Trails Foundation has interactive maps and descriptions at www.rivannatrails.org. GPS: N38 0.915' / W78 28.696’. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 68, D1.
This 900-acre nature preserve is a wonderful surprise just outside the Charlottesville city limits, owned and managed by the City of Charlottesville, which has been adding trails. The 4-mile hiking trail circles Charlottesville Reservoir, rolling up and down the rugged and heavily forested Ragged Mountains. The parking area is at 1730 Reservoir Rd., off Fontaine Avenue, south of Charlottesville. Dogs, bikes, and joggers are not permitted. (434) 970-3656; www.charlottesville.org/raggedmountain. GPS: N38 01.584' / W78 33.345'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 67, D7.