Local Area Hiking Resources

• Ivy Creek Natural Area contains both rustic and handicapped trails, many overlooking Ivy Creek.
• The Ragged Mountain Natural Area has challenging, rugged rustic trails encircling one of Charlottesville's sources of drinking water. Note: trails are closed during replacement of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir dam.
• Pen Park contains a peacefully quiet footpath along the Rivanna River and an accessible Fitness Trail complete with upper-body exercise equipment.
• Sugar Hollow Reservoir is the starting point for two challenging trails that follow the two forks of the Moormans River. Both have multiple stream crossings. Sugar Hollow is located at the end of Route 614 west of the town of Whitehall.
• The Fluvanna Heritage Trail near Palmyra has an accessible trail leading down to the Rivanna River and a rustic trail extending several miles upriver.
• The Saunders-Monticello Trail, with its beautifully designed boardwalk that meanders up Carter Mountain to Monticello, is fully accessible.
• Terrain360.com has interactive 360-degree views of trails throughout Virginia, including portions of our own Rivanna Trail.

Other Trail Related Organizations & Links

In addition to the trails listed above, here are some other groups where you can find kindred spirits for safety, inspiration, and friendship.

• The Charlottesville Hiking Group organizes hikes on the Rivanna Trail and other venues. Hikes vary in length from 3 to about 12 miles. Participants pick and choose hikes that meet their desires and schedules.
• The Outdoor Adventure Social Club organizes outdoor activities in and around the greater Charlottesville area.
  
• The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club manages more than 1,200 miles of hiking tails in the Mid-Atlantic region, including a key stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
• The Appalachian Trail and numerous other trails run through Shenandoah National Park. In 2012, the park is celebrating its 75th Anniversary with a series of special events and commemorations.
• Wild Virginia advocates for the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forest, and leads monthly hikes.
  
• The Senior Center includes recreational opportunities among its many offerings.
  

You will also find lovely parks and interesting trails maintained by Albemarle County Parks and Recreation. The trails at Walnut Creek Park and Preddy Creek Trail Park are particularly worth checking out, especially for bikers.

Members of the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club have been among the most dedicated stewards of the Rivanna Trails. They build and maintain trails suitable for mountain biking, and educate members of the mountain biking community and the public generally about effective trail construction and maintenance techniques.

Learn more about regional planning for Pedestrian and Bicycle transportation options by viewing the materials on the Planning District Commission web site.

Just outside Charlottesville are the wonderful nature trails at Ivy Creek Natural Area.