Local Riding Spots

If you're new or from nearby (SE Virginia) and are looking for good places to train, or are from further but want to come visit, here are some of my favorite spots (leave me a comment if you'd like directions):

Sandy Point: Near West Point, you can easily get in 10-20 miles of good, fast training here. The trail is generally clear and well maintained and is light dirt or sand. There's also a great long stretch where you can reach full gallop. You're right on the river, so you can bring your horse there for sponging/drink. The parking lot and road in can be tricky if there's been a lot of precip; put your rig in 4x4 and park on the left side to get out easiest. There are very limited spots where there's gravel, and be careful with some of the bridges through trail. There are a few that need to be rebuilt; I'm working on getting in touch with the boy scouts for this. They rebuilt the main "big bridge" and did a fantastic job. During hunting season, only go on Sundays. Though the road and parking area can get muddy, the trail stays really nice and clear. I've even ridden there in the snow! There's also some good hill here to train on, a rarity in our area! Okay for barefoot.

Yorktown Battlefield/Newport News Airport This area has a good mix of training since there's some pavement and gravel in places. But mostly, the trail is nice soft dirt. There are lots of users here if the weather is nice, so your horse will get lots of experience with bikes, hikers, runners, dogs on leashes, cars, and even over passes! For those going to Foxcatcher worried about the infamous tunnels and bridges, this is a great place to train. There's two ways you can go here; one way to take the trail is out towards Newport News airport and Kentucky farm. There's less users this way but the trail gets a little more technical and unmarked. The other way is to stay in the park boundaries and do the trail in loops; from the parking area and doing one loop without splitting it, you can get 14 miles. Park off of Surrender Road. Generally this area will yield you 10-20 miles. Not many water stops on this trail unless it's been raining a lot. Okay for barefoot.

Beaverdam: Near Gloucester, this park is a trail that leads around the river straight from one side to the other. In total it's about 18 miles. There's lots of water stops here, and you can even take your horse swimming from the parking area that doesn't have the main boathouse (this is the second entrance if you're travelling 17N). Downside to this park: you can't move out much faster than a trot, and if there's been lots of rainfall it can flood out and get really muddy and slippery. But it's great to get in some long slow distance work and technical winding around trees. Also, be prepared for some really long bridges! You will see a few other users here too...bikers, hikers, dog walkers, etc. Okay for barefoot.

York River State Park: This park is a great place for a myriad of training near Williamsburg. Most of the trails here are a simple out-and-back, but the benefit to this is that you can really get your speed up AND control exactly what your mileage is! The park is beautifully maintained and the parking area is great. You WILL have to pay a fee to ride here but it's worth it. Bring cash! Some limited hill here, nothing too strenuous. Watch for lots of friendly deer, hikers, and bikers. Okay for barefoot, can get anywhere from 5-20 miles.

Petersburg Battlefield: Just outside of Richmond, this little area boasts some decent trail. I've gotten anywhere from 10-20 miles here, but mainly in loops. Plus: you can move out here. Minus: it's easy to get lost, and there are some spooky things in certain areas. My recommendation, bring a map or pay close attention to the trail markers, they're organized by letters. Ok for barefoot but there are a few places with gravel.

Graves Mountain: The nearest "mountain" training for us SE Virginians (although I still think of myself as a HOOSIER!), this is a good place to get your hills in. There are several ways up the mountain, but the most common is by parking just up the road from the horseman's camp, there's a good trailer pull-off to the left. You can also park at the horseman's camp and ride from there, it's a nice big grassy field with water hookups and it's $20 a night. The trail we take up and down usually only ends up being 15 miles, but 7.5 of that is UP! There is also a way to do a loop that goes partway down and back up the fireman's road; I did it with Heather and Jeremy but haven't gotten a chance to really explore and find it again. Note: this trail is VERY rocky and slow moving in most places. Plan for a long day and have hoof protection, shoes or boots. Also, come with a friend and bring cash, there is a restaurant at the top where you can get ice cream and hamburgers! I recommend coming here when the weather turns warm in the summer; it is most definitely a MOUNTAIN and thus you will have the normal weather issues related to mountains!

Joy's summer training: Just off of route 17, this area is great for getting it an easy fast ride. The ground is soft dirt for the most part, and the loops run about 5-10 miles depending on where you go. It's really simple and you can't get lost; come in off the main road and ride around the outside of the fields! Things to note: they are developing this area into equine-friendly real estate, but as such there are now some big construction-related horse eating objects around. Though if Legs can handle it, I'm sure your horse can too! Also, the owners and developers of the property prefer that we ride along the side of the dirt road on the edge of the field. This is so we don't create holes from hooves. There are a few places where you have to cross the road, but if you walk that is okay. I know it's tempting, but STAY OFF THE ROAD! I like this area because I don't have to trailer in the summer and want to be able to come back! You have to ride just down the road to get there, so make sure your horse is okay with going by houses, mailboxes, and cars (can you tell this is a really scary/fun one for me?). Also, there ae sometimes 4-wheelers and go carts out on the trails too, and they're not so good at seeing us so heads up as to where they are. Make sure you check in with Joy before coming out; it's her barn we want to make sure we have permission to park there! Definitely an okay place for barefoot.

Again, if you want further directions feel free to write me a note! Or if you have places to add!