Click map to see larger image.

Greenway activity in Virginia is gaining momentum like never before as communities across the state embrace the vision of an urban Appalachian Trail, linking the cities of the East Coast as it winds its way from Calais to Key West.

From Washington, D.C. in the north, the Greenway enters Virginia along the Mount Vernon Trail, which follows the Potomac River and George Washington Pkwy. south to Mt. Vernon, home of America’s first president. The ECGA’s state committee in Virginia is now working with the National Park Service to extend the trail an additional 3.5 miles to US Route 1. The Mt. Vernon Trail is part of the planned Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a multi-state trail which Greenway visitors will travel south to Fredericksburg.

From Fredericksburg the Potomac Heritage Trail continues east along the river, but Greenway travelers will instead head south to Richmond, the state’s capital and the former capital of the Confederacy. Currently there is no planned route between Fredericksburg and Richmond. This is a region that will require significant work in the coming years by numerous local Greenway advocates devoted to moving the ECG forward in the area.

In Richmond, the Greenway divides into two routes: the spine route, which continues south to North Carolina’s Piedmont region; and the Historic Coastal Route, which heads southeast through Jamestown and Williamsburg before aiming south toward Wilmington, N.C. Currently the spine route travels along or near US Route 1, an area where Greenway advocates are pushing for a traffic-separated trail. The communities in this region are tremendously supportive of the ECG because of its tourism benefits to an area hard hit by a decline in manufacturing jobs.

Jogger running on Virginia's beautiful Mt. Vernon Trail

Working with the Southside Planning District Commission and Roanoke River Rails to Trails, the Alliance is actively promoting development of an exciting new project, the Tobacco Heritage Trail (THT). When complete, the THT will consist of 174 miles of trail in five Southside counties. The East Coast Greenway will use 55 miles of the trail, stretching from Lawrenceville to Clarksville, which is located near the North Carolina border on scenic Bugg’s Island Lake. Currently only 3.5 miles of the THT are open to public use. This section runs from Brodnax to LaCrosse and was first used by cyclists of 2004’s First ECG Maine to Florida Tour.

The Historic Coastal Route splits off from the spine route in Richmond and heads east toward Williamsburg and Jamestown, both former state capitals. Known as the Virginia Capital Trail, this 50-mile route closely follows Virginia’s Hwy. 5 along a mostly traffic-separated path and traverses a region steeped in history and natural beauty. Three segments are scheduled to be complete by 2007 in time for Jamestown’s 400th anniversary celebration. Totaling 15 miles, the three segments will cost $11.6 million, of which $9 million of has been secured to date. Click here to view the map.

In recent months, significant progress has been made along the Historic Coastal Route near the North Carolina border, where the Greenway will utilize the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. Planned to be 20 miles long when complete, this trail parallels the Dismal Swamp Canal and US 17. It will make up a good portion of the route between Portsmouth, Va. and Elizabeth City, N.C.

Read about the latest happenings in the VA Committee Newsletter:

November 2006
October 2006

We are presently seeking individuals who are interested in serving on the ECGA's Virginia State Committee. Any interested parties should contact:

David Brickley
5000 Saratoga Lane
Woodbridge, VA 23005
(703) 590-3569

Thank you to all of our Mile Sponsors!

Each plate below represents a mile or more of East Coast Greenway that has been sponsored in Virginia.
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