Norfolk trails: the 10.5-mile Elizabeth River Trail from Norfolk State to NIT in 11 sections, the Northside Park bike trail, weekly group rides and trail rules.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation and its FAQ, the city’s biking page and bike network map (PDF), and the city calendar.

Norfolk’s main trail is the Elizabeth River Trail, a free, 10.5-mile walking, running and biking route along the river from Norfolk State University through downtown, Ghent and Old Dominion University to Norfolk International Terminals. It links 28 neighborhoods and passes the Battleship Wisconsin, the Chrysler Museum and the Hermitage. The city adds nearly 60 miles of bike lanes and shared lane markings.

Who to call

  • Emergency on the trail: 911
  • Report illegal activity: Norfolk Police, 757-441-5610
  • Trail maintenance or safety concern: hello@elizabethrivertrail.org
  • City parks: Norfolk Parks and Recreation, 757-823-4291

Elizabeth River Trail

The trail has 11 sections and 11 trailheads, listed here from the Norfolk State end, the foundation says:

Section What is there
Norfolk State University East end, at the NSU gates, with bus and light rail connections
Harbor Park Section past Harbor Park
Downtown Waterfront Waterside Marina, Town Point Park, Nauticus and the USS Wisconsin
Freemason The Freemason Historic District
Sentara Loop The Sentara medical campus
Fort Norfolk and Plum Point Park The 19th-century fort
Chelsea and West Ghent Neighborhood sections
Lambert’s Point Neighborhood section
Old Dominion University Across campus from Powhatan Fields to Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium
Larchmont-Edgewater Neighborhood section
Lochhaven The longest section: the Norfolk Country Club marina, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, and the west end at Hampton Boulevard and Cloncurry Road

Getting on: the east end is served by bus and The Tide light rail. Lime electric bikes are common along the trail, and Pedego Electric Bikes near downtown rents by the hour, the FAQ says. An interactive map shows the route and trailheads.

Restrooms: many trail-side businesses let trail users use theirs; they are fewer in the northern residential section.

Trail rules

From the foundation’s visit page:

  • Give a verbal signal when passing from behind; cyclists and skaters yield to people on foot.
  • Dogs on a leash of no more than 6 feet; pick up after them.
  • Virginia law bars cycling with earbuds in both ears.
  • Use front and rear lights at night.
  • The trail crosses The Tide’s tracks: look both ways, and walk your bike across at a 90-degree angle.
  • Watch for detours during construction and big events.

Other places to ride and walk

  • Northside Park mountain bike trail: about 3 miles, easy to moderate; mountain bikes or knobby tires recommended (city biking page).
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Road: garden paths open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and Bike Nights return April 1 (visit).
  • Ocean View beaches: more than 7.3 miles of free shoreline on the Chesapeake Bay; no bikes on the beach access ramps (beaches).
  • City bike lanes: see the Norfolk bike network map (PDF).

Group rides

From the city calendar:

  • Social Cycling Ride with Bike Norfolk, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays from 2406 Colley Ave.
  • Boombox Rides, 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, weather permitting.
  • Tour de ORF, a free ride led by the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, from 1129 Boissevain Ave.
  • Trail Beautification Day on the fourth Friday of the month, 9 to 11 a.m.

What this means for you

  • New to the trail? Start downtown at Town Point Park and head west toward Fort Norfolk.
  • Bring water; the foundation suggests water, sunscreen, snacks and a phone.

Related guides: parks and trails, dog-friendly Norfolk and getting around.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Elizabeth River Trail?

10.5 miles, from the gates of Norfolk State University to Hampton Boulevard and Cloncurry Road by Norfolk International Terminals, in 11 sections with 11 trailheads.

Are dogs allowed on the Elizabeth River Trail?

Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and owners must clean up after them, the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation says.

Are there restrooms on the Elizabeth River Trail?

There are no dedicated trail restrooms listed; many businesses along the trail let trail users use theirs. They are scarcer in the northern residential section.

Is there a mountain bike trail in Norfolk?

Yes. Northside Park has a mountain bike trail of about 3 miles, rated easy to moderate; the city recommends mountain bikes or knobby tires.