Hiking Richmond James River Trails

The Full North Bank Trail, Buttermilk Trail and Belle Island Trip (a 9 mile hike)

0845am 30 April 2017.  The three of us started off at the Pump House Road trailhead and headed downstream, underneath the nickel bridge, also known as Boulevard Bridge, and then along a fence line that separates the North Bank Trail from Maymont Park, crossed a bridge and travelled along the old Kanawha Canal (canal project was begun in 1785, and half completed by 1851).  At the end of the border with Maymont Park, we climbed up the steep hill to the top and arrived at a temporary break in the trail, travelled along Kansas Ave for 4 blocks to Texas Ave, and back on to the North Bank Trail which is the resumption point for the trail.  We travelled across many streams and bridges and rejoined the Kanawha canal for a while before the trail headed back up to a ridge by Riverview Cemetery before dropping back down to the canal just below Hollywood Cemetery.

We next stopped for a rest on Bubba’s Bench and enjoyed the sounds of the rapids and cool breezes, and then we continued on towards the end of the North Bank Trail.  We passed huge clumps of Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) flowers which were in full bloom covering a hill with their bright blue flowers.

We continued on another mile or so an the trail ended so we walked under the big steel train trestle to go cross over to Belle Isle, but found a shaded bench and rested in the shade just above the river (mile 4.4).  After a short rest, we took the suspension bridge over to Belle Island, hiked around to the backside of the island and then took another bridge over to the South Bank of the river and picked up the Buttermilk Trail.

The Buttermilk trail is noted for the many streams and springs, deep shade & rolling trails and is my favorite with bridges, cool damp spots, and lush vegetation.   We crossed quite a few streams and many bridges.  We slowly worked our way to the Nickle Bridge and where we started at the North Bank Trailhead. 

Are you looking for the sounds of rapids; hiking over 27 bridges (no trolls) and streams? Looking for beautiful vistas and history?  Trains and train tracks? Then, this is your trip.

We’ll be having breakfast at McLean’s Restaurant (3205 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230) prior to the hike.

Meet at 8:30 a.m., North Bank Trail head off Pump House Drive, Richmond VA. 

The route will take us along Maymont Park, Kansas Ave, Texas Ave, then by Hollywood Cemetery, Tredegar Iron Works and out to Belle Island crossing over to the south side of the river to the Buttermilk Trail which has plenty of streams to cross and switch backs to take that wind you through the hills and streams of the banks of the James river while the sounds of the river below as it flows by many rocks of the fault line on its way to the Chesapeake Bay.  I've just rediscovered this gem of a trail and want to share it with others.

We’ll finally loop back to our starting point at Pump House Road.  Total mileage will be about 7.5-8 miles of moderate hiking (sounds daunting, but isn’t). Total hiking time is 3 hours.  You have the option of doing part of the hike as there will be some areas that are hilly and a bit challenging, but doable for the average person.

Bring decent shoes, preferably, water-proof, breathable footwear.  Also bring water and a snack.