Enjoying RVA and all it has to offer!

Explore Richmond. Save Money. Have Fun.

You are here: Home / Fitness / Guide to Walking Around the James River

Guide to Walking Around the James River

POSTED BY
Dina Weinstein

One of Richmond’s greatest (and free!) attractions is the James River. The list below is comprised of scenic walks that allow walkers, runners or hikers to appreciate the James. Use the necessary details from RVA on the Cheap’s river walk guide to plan your next adventure along the James.

View of the bridge that leads to Belle Isle. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison

Belle Isle:

  • Parking: along 5th Street and at the American Civil War Museum; Belle Isle parking lot at Tredegar Street and Brown’s Island Way
  • Distance: 1.7 miles
  • Accessible: wheelchair and stroller friendly
  • Extras: views of Hollywood Cemetery; rocks at the southern side for climbing and playing

 

Canal Walk in Richmond, Virginia. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison

Canal Walk:

  • Parking: Street parking near Civil War Museum and Virginia War Memorial
  • Distance: 25 miles
  • Accessible: Stroller and wheelchair friendly; handicapped-accessible entrances at 5th, 10th, 12th, 14th, and 16th Streets
  • Extras: Medallions and exhibits tell of Richmond’s history; murals; restaurants along the canal

 

James River Park view

A heron and hiker at the Pipeline Park at the James River Park. Photo credit: James River Park / Facebook

Pipeline Trail:

  • Parking: End of S. 12th St.
  • Distance: .8 mile
  • Accessible: N/A; part of the pipeline does not have handrails; ladder is needed to descend to access the pipe
  • Extras: Great Blue Heron rookery is across from the pipeline

 

Eloise Garrison enjoys the rocks and river view at Pony Pasture along the James River. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison

Pony Pasture:

  • Parking: 7310 Riverside Dr., Richmond
  • Distance:1 miles
  • Accessible: wheelchair and stroller friendly
  • Extras: rapids for swimming, sunbathing; canoe launch

 

Sunset view on the T. Tyler Potterfield bridge, in Richmond, VA

Sunset view on the T. Tyler Potterfield bridge, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo credit: Eric C. Pierre / Facebook

Potterfield Bridge:

  • Parking: between Semmes Ave. and 7th Street; along 7th Street; lot off Tredegar St.
  • Distance: .3 miles
  • Accessible: Wheelchair and stroller friendly
  • Extras: Civil War quotes in the planks; views of Manchester climbing wall and downtown skyline

 

However you choose to appreciate the James River; be sure to consider this list to ensure a memorable experience.

Lindsay Garrison, your RVA on the Cheap editor

Lindsay Garrison loves Richmond and is proud to raise her own family here. As a teacher for 12 years, she learned how to save, budget and stretch every penny. Additionally, she led groups of students to Europe annually, and took great pride in planning affordable, fun-filled trips. She transferred those skills to her daily life and shares them with readers of RVA on the Cheap. Lindsay utilizes RVA on the Cheap to make enriching life experiences accessible to all. Check her instagram: rva.familyfun for more affordable family adventures!

 

 

Be sure to subscribe to email updates, follow @rvacheap on Twitter or like RVA (Richmond) on the Cheap on Facebook to stay in the know about the latest freebies & deals.

About Dina Weinstein

Dina Weinstein is a Richmond, Virginia based award-winning journalist who reports for numerous local and national outlets. Weinstein moved north from Miami, Florida where she worked mentoring young journalists as an advisor at the Miami Dade College student newspaper The Reporter. She is a Boston native and a proud graduate of Boston University School for the Arts and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

lotc_logo_100_gray_bglogosRVA on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates.

Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.