Length: 26.2 round trip
Start: Four Mile Creek Trailhead (Just east of mile marker 40)
Turnaround Point: T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge (1.9 miles past Great Shiplock Park trailhead)
Parking: Four Mile Creek Trailhead
Attractions along the trip:
Four Mile Creek Trailhead (Just east of mile marker 40)
Dorey Park and Recreation (Just east of mile marker 42)
Varina Library (Just west of mile marker 45)
The Boathouse (Just west of mile marker 50)
Conch Republic (Just west of mile marker 50
Rockett’s Landing (Mile marker 50)
Great Shiplock Park (Mile marker 51.2)
Lowline Gardens (Just past mile marker 51.2)
Richmond’s Canal Walk (Just past flood wall, you will be leaving the Capital Trail)
Brown’s Island and T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge (1.9 miles past Great Shiplock)
Itinerary:
This 26 mile ride features rural views of Henrico and beautiful river front views of Richmond. Four Mile Creek Trailhead is a great spot to park. Hop on the trail and head west on the trail towards Richmond. Your first attraction will be Dorey Park which features a pond, walking trails, and an 18-hole disk golf course! This is .4 miles from the Capital Trail. Next you will pass the Varina Library which has restrooms and a water fountain. Continue east on the trail and you’ll pass restaurants like The Boathouse and Conch Republic overlooking the river. Once you arrive at the flood wall you’ve officially completed the trail portion of your trip and you can ride along Richmond’s Riverfront and Canal Walk and enter Downtown Richmond. You’ll turn around on T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, named after the deceased city planner who oversaw the project, connecting Brown’s Island to Manchester. Richmond Magazine stated that the bridge is “seen as a symbolic link joining the city’s north and south sides.” The bridge will give you panoramic views of the James River. Stay and enjoy the riverfront views then head back to Four Mile Creek Trailhead.
