Experiencing the great outdoors is one of the best things to do in Virginia. How about experiencing the great outdoors on a mountain bike? We’re not talking about a leisurely stroll through the woods. We’re talking about rampin’ tree stumps, mud in your face, rocky terrain mountain biking. There’s epic mountain biking trails all over, so if you’re a mountain biker looking for some new tracks, check out some of these!

Freedom Park – Williamsburg
Choose “Trail C” of the six mountain biking trails at Freedom Park and experience the premiere Freeride Trail, boasting dozens of TTFs (Technical Trail Features), including dirt rollers, berms, log skinnies, teeter totters, A-frames, table-tops, gap jumps, gravity pits and more. “Trail D” is the park’s most difficult trail at five miles long and is the most overall technical cross-country terrain. Be prepared for sudden changes through hardwood and pine forests, several sets of switchbacks, and many short but twisty (and rooty) uphill sections with sharp turns.

York River State Park – Williamsburg
York River State Park 16 miles of designated single-track trails, as well as 15+ miles of double-track, multi-use trails. The Marl Ravine Trail is the original 6.5 mile, single-track loop at the park. This trail runs counter-clockwise and it is the most challenging trail at the park. The trail offers challenging roots, switch backs, short, steep ascents, flowing descents, and four wooden bridge crossings. The John Blair Trail is the newest trail in the YRSP trail system. This bi-directional trail traverses eastward crossing the park’s existing fire roads, allowing single-track access to some of the most beautiful areas of the park.

Upper County Park (James City Co.) – Toano
The 3.7-mile loop trail at Upper County Park is a technical one, with tight turns and off camber sections. Aerobically, this trail is one of the most challenging around, where many climbs come one after the other with few flat areas to recover. You will find it hard to take you hands off the bar to grab a water bottle or even your hydration pack hose. The trail sees little use, so expect a few sticks and branches and a narrow tread through low bush, which covers much of the forest floor along the trail.

–New Quarter Park – Williamsburg

This trail was designed and built by the Eastern Virginia Mountain bike Association (www.evma.org).  This is another great trail built and maintained by the Eastern Virginia Mountain bike Association (www.evma.org). Part of the Confederate Defensive Line was on this property and there are three Civil War dugouts clearly visible in the first mile of the trail. Please respect the area’s history by not disturbing them. The trail is a 5.8 mile single-track loop designed to be ridden counter-clockwise and is suitable for intermediate riders. Beginners will have trouble negotiating some of the tight turns and climbs, but there’s nothing dangerous to contend with. All the obstacles are either reasonable or have a ride-around. The first 3 miles follow the contours of a ravine which runs from the parking lot to the park entrance and there is barely a flat section in it – you’re going up or you’re going down! Most of the trail has good flow and sweeping turns, but there are some tight turns on downhill sections to watch out for. Once you know the trail you can carry your speed. Most of the climbing in this section of the trail is between milepost 2 and milepost 3. The second half of the trail returns to the parking lot closer to the tree line. There is less climbing and fewer sharp turns, but still enough challenge to hold your interest. The trail has an offshoot a little way past the 3 mile post. Go straight for a shortcut or turn right for more of a challenge. At the next split in the trail, go left for a large log pile, or right to detour around it. After a double switchback climb and an uprooted tree made into a smooth ride-over is about the only flat area of the trail. It’s fast and fun so make the most of it because there’s more climbing ahead. When you get to bumps like plow furrows you’re almost done.

Trail Map: Click Here To View

Explore more trails around Virginia here

Extensive Mountain Bike Trails
Main Entrance
8687 Roaring Springs Road
Fary’s Mill Road Entrance
9537 Fary’s Mill Road
Ranger Station Phone
804-693-2107
Hiking Trail Details
Download Trail Map

Wahrani Park

Wahrani Nature Trails

Chesapeake Forest Products Company opened this trail property in 1973 to help develop a public appreciation for the natural environment. The trails were opened to mountain bikes in 2007 to make this facility a multi-use trail for bikers, walkers, and joggers. Trails are currently marked by colored blazes on trees along the trails. Future improvements and development plans include adding a picnic area, a fittrail system, a restroom facility and re-marking of the trails.

Location:

West Point, Virginia

Directions from Peninsula:

From I-64 take Exit 227. Merge right onto Route 30 heading towards West Point. After 6.6 miles turn right at traffic light onto Route 33. After 3/4 mile turn right into driveway at Wahrani Nature Trail.
Directions from Richmond:

From I-64 take Exit 220. Merge onto Route 33 heading towards West Point. Wahrani Nature Trail is on the right 3/4 mile past the first traffic light.
Description:

Trail Level: Intermediate
Trail Type: Singletrack
This is a multi-loop bi-directional single track trail system, about 5 miles long, with interesting terrain and challenging technical features. It has more elevation change than any of the peninsula trails. Some sections of the trail system are designated for hikers only due to erosion concerns.

Trail Map from GPSTrailSource.com

Trail Review from mtbr.com

York River State Park

Location:
5526 Riverview Road
Williamsburg, Virginia 23188
Directions:
From I-64 take exit 231B onto Croaker Road (Route 607). Turn right onto Moss Side Lane after 1 1/2 miles. At the end of Moss Side Lane bear right onto Riverview Road. Turn left onto York River Park Road after 1 1/2 miles. York River Park Road ends at the parking lot and visitor center.
Description of Marl’s Ravine Trail:
This trail is designed to be traveled in a counter-clockwise fashion! Follow the entry sign at the trailhead. Awesome approx. 6.0 mile loop. Lots of short, steep uphills, roots, logs, and switchbacks for your riding pleasure. About 2 miles in, there is a very steep downhill that can be very tricky. More technical and demanding than the Waller Mill trail, Marl Ravine is designed with the intermediate to advanced rider in mind. Beginning riders can finish the Marl Ravine but will probably have to push their bike up most of the climbs and over the more technical sections.

Description of Laurel Glen Trail:
Laurel Glen trail is designed for the beginning to intermediate rider. At about 2 miles in length, Laurel Glen has a couple of "surprises" in store for the rider. There is a really fun downhill about halfway through which is almost immediately followed by one of the two most grueling climbs in the park. Even with the downhill and the climb, beginners should be able to finish this trail with just a little walking. Intermediate to advanced riders can make this trail a multi-lap workout. Trail Notes:About halfway through the trail, you will come out onto a fire road. To continue to the downhill and the switchback climb, bear to the right off the fire road. If you would rather skip the downhill and climb, continue on the fire road until you see the single track re-entry on the left.
Park Notes:
There is a parking fee of $3.00 per person or $5.00 per carload Monday-Sunday. This is a state park fee and is not imposed by EVMA. When you pay your fee ask for a park map, it shows the location of the trails.

Trail Map: Click Here To View

Trail Map from GPSTrailSource.com

Trail Review from mtbr.com

Park Information from Virginia.gov

Upper County Park

Location:

James City, Virginia 23168
Directions:

From I-64 take Exit 227 (Toano) to Route 30 South heading towards Toano/Williamsburg. After about 1/3 mile turn right onto Old Stage Road, just before the gas station and McDonalds’s. After about 1/3 mile, turn right onto Leisure Road. Follow Leisure Road into the park.
Description:

The Upper County Park trail is a 3.7-mile loop within the 75-acre Upper County Park in James City County, Virginia. The trail begins near the end of the cul-de-sac at the end of the park entrance road. Look for the mountain bike trail signs. The trail is on the left of the chained-off gravel road that leads back into the woods. Much like other trails in the area the loop contains many quick climbs and descents through ravines that surround the creek and bottomland areas adjacent to the park. The route is somewhat technical with tight turns and off camber sections. There are, however, fast stretches that use the terrain for banked turns. One downhill contains four turns that take you from side to side in a small ravine much like a bobsled course. Although shorter than other nearby trails maintained and constructed by the Eastern Virginia Mountain Association (EVMA), the trail is no less demanding. In fact, aerobically it is one of the more challenging. Many of the climbs come one after the other with few flat areas to recover. This trail requires attention. You will find it hard to take you hands off the bar to grab a water bottle or even your hydration pack hose. The trail sees little use, so expect a few sticks and branches and a narrow tread through the will blueberry (lowbush) which covers much of the forest floor along the trail.
The trail was designed to be ridden clockwise but can be ridden in both directions. In fact, counter clockwise seems to require more climbing and it will take you a bit longer to complete a loop. You can also ride the trail in a figure eight since there is a cross over near the mid-way point. Also, if you are riding clockwise, look for a bailout near the 3-mile point. The bailout drops you in on an old gravel road that makes a loop through the woods starting near the trail entrance. The gravel road was part of the old campground that previously existed at the site. In fact, you will see electrical boxes for the old campsites along sections of the trail.
In the summer, after your ride, plan to cool off in the park pool. While there is no fee for park admission or riding, a fee is charged for use of the pool. Other amenities at the park include children’s playground equipment and an outdoor basketball court. Pavilions are also available for a fee. Next time you ride, take the family. They can enjoy the pool and playgrounds.

Trail Map: Click For Map

Trail Map from GPSTrailSource.com

Trail Review from mtbr.com

New Quarter Park

Location:

1000 Lakeshead Drive
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Directions to New Quarter Park:

From I-64 take exit 242A on to Route 199. After about a mile look for large green sign “143 Williamsburg” and take that exit bearing right onto Merrimac Trail heading toward Williamsburg. Turn right at the traffic light past the 7-11 Store (about 1.3 miles) onto Penniman Drive. Pass the school and take the next left onto Hubbard Lane. After about 1 mile+ turn right onto Lakeshead Drive. There is a green sign for New Quarter Park at the intersection of Hubbard and Lakeshead. Lakeshead Drive ends at the park (a little over a mile). If you park to your left the trail head is along the right of the tree line Across The field in front of you

Description:

Trail Level: Intermediate
Trail Type: Singletrack
This trail was designed and built by the Eastern Virginia Mountain bike Association (www.evma.org).  This is another great trail built and maintained by the Eastern Virginia Mountain bike Association (www.evma.org). Part of the Confederate Defensive Line was on this property and there are three Civil War dugouts clearly visible in the first mile of the trail. Please respect the area’s history by not disturbing them. The trail is a 5.8 mile single-track loop designed to be ridden counter-clockwise and is suitable for intermediate riders. Beginners will have trouble negotiating some of the tight turns and climbs, but there’s nothing dangerous to contend with. All the obstacles are either reasonable or have a ride-around. The first 3 miles follow the contours of a ravine which runs from the parking lot to the park entrance and there is barely a flat section in it – you’re going up or you’re going down! Most of the trail has good flow and sweeping turns, but there are some tight turns on downhill sections to watch out for. Once you know the trail you can carry your speed. Most of the climbing in this section of the trail is between milepost 2 and milepost 3. The second half of the trail returns to the parking lot closer to the tree line. There is less climbing and fewer sharp turns, but still enough challenge to hold your interest. The trail has an offshoot a little way past the 3 mile post. Go straight for a shortcut or turn right for more of a challenge. At the next split in the trail, go left for a large log pile, or right to detour around it. After a double switchback climb and an uprooted tree made into a smooth ride-over is about the only flat area of the trail. It’s fast and fun so make the most of it because there’s more climbing ahead. When you get to bumps like plow furrows you’re almost done. If you’ve missed riding at Waller Mill since Hurricane Isabel, you need to check out this trail.

Trail Map: Click Here To View

Trail Reviews from mtbr.com

Trail Map from GPSTrailSource.com

Freedom Park

Location:
5535 Centerville Rd
Williamsburg, Virginia 23188

Freedom Park has a rich historical background dating back to the 1650′s.  This park is the site of an 18th century cemetery, the Revolutionary War Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary (1781),and a 17th century domicile that is revealing much archaeological research of the early colonial period (1680-1730).

This 600-acre forested retreat also features approximately two miles of hiking trails and more than 25 miles of mountain bike trails winding through historical sites, forests and along creeks, open meadows, and parking.  The bike trails were designed and built and are maintained by the Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association.  Trails are closed to bikes during inclement weather to prevent trail degradation. Riders are encouraged to call 259-4022 to check trails status.

Download a trail map here

Directions:
From Interstate 64 take exit 234A to Route 199. From Route 199 take the Longhill Road exit. Turn right onto Longhill Road (Route 612). Follow Longhill Road until it ends at the park gates. Once inside the park gates, follow road to the parking lot.
Description:
Trail Level: Intermediate
Trail Type: Singletrack
This trail was built and is maintained by the Eastern Virginia Mountain bike Association (www.evma.org). It’s new and doesn’t have a lot of traffic yet, so it’s still soft. The first 1/2 mile is winding and lumpy, with a couple of technical climbs, making it difficult to maintain momentum, but good for building bike handling skills. The next 2 miles aren’t as technically challenging, but there’s plenty to keep you entertained and on your toes. At times the trail is close to the property line and you may notice "No Trespassing" signs. Stay on the trail and keep the signs on your left. Some people have become confused by the signs and got themselves turned around. A little way past the second bridge the trail forks. If you’ve had enough, take the right trail for a half mile ride back to the trailhead. If you’re ready for more, take the left trail for 2 more miles of single-track. A little way into the second loop you will once again notice "No Trespassing" signs. As before, follow the trail and keep the signs on your left. Be prepared for a good dose of climbing, but the reward is a couple of nice downhill’s. The last half mile of this loop was laid out with the help of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, and it is sweet. The trail ends at a logging road. Turn left and go about 100 ft to where the first loop crosses the road. Turn left onto the single track to exit at the trailhead, or continue on the logging road, which will also leads back to the parking lot. Beware of pungees on the logging road. This trail system is still under construction and needs additional grooming. It isn’t as long as York River or Waller Mill (yet), but will give you more of a workout than either one. The EVMA’s ultimate goal is to have 25 miles of single track at this park.

Trail Map: Click here to view

Trail Map from GPSTrailSource.com

Trail Review from mtbr.com