For a destination run, or as part of a tour of this area, we highly recommend Yorktown, about 1/2 hour north of Norfolk. One can put together a unique and memorable run here, consisting of historic battlefields, historic Yorktown and its waterfront, and some quiet side roads that are part of the park tour. Yorktown is part of the Colonial National Historical Park that includes Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg. In Yorktown, we recommend parking at the Visitor Center. Create your own run, consisting of the following: (using the park map)
Yorktown & Waterfront. A nice 3-mile tour from the Visitor Center. Combine the Tobacco Rd Trail (1/3 mile) with ~1 mile waterfront/ Riverwalk to the American Revolution Museum, and the streets of historic Yorktown, including Main St. Add-on with a run around the path of the battlefield just across from the Visitor Center.
Battlefield Tour. There are two driving tours of Yorktown. The 7-mile Battlefield Rd. (Red Line, Rt. 238) tends to be busier with cars, and has no shoulder. The 9-mile Encampent Tour (Yellow Line) is more recommended for running, as there are few cars. Very pretty, combination of woods, sites, fields. These roads are called Historical Tour Rd. and are generally west of Rt. 17. The Historic Tour Route is a great 5-6 mile loop through Revolutionary War battlefields. PRO TIPS: Historical Tour route is closed to vehicular traffic until mid-morning, making it a runner’s paradise. And it’s especially beautiful in all seasons but this mid-November run was especially scenic.
Author Photo
Run the Fields: Put together your own tour of sections of roads and along some of the well-worn paths of the historic battlefields. Some wonderfully open terrain, dotted with trees. Especially pretty at sunrise/sunset!
For a destination run, or as part of a tour of this area, we highly recommend Yorktown, about 1/2 hour north of Norfolk. One can put together a unique and memorable run here, consisting of historic battlefields, historic Yorktown and its waterfront, and some quiet side roads that are part of the park tour. Yorktown is part of the Colonial National Historical Park that includes Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg. In Yorktown, we recommend parking at the Visitor Center. Create your own run, consisting of the following: (using the park map)
Yorktown & Waterfront. A nice 3-mile tour from the Visitor Center. Combine the Tobacco Rd Trail (1/3 mile) with ~1 mile waterfront/ Riverwalk to the American Revolution Museum, and the streets of historic Yorktown, including Main St. Add-on with a run around the path of the battlefield just across from the Visitor Center.
Battlefield Tour. There are two driving tours of Yorktown. The 7-mile Battlefield Rd. (Red Line, Rt. 238) tends to be busier with cars, and has no shoulder. The 9-mile Encampent Tour (Yellow Line) is more recommended for running, as there are few cars. Very pretty, combination of woods, sites, fields. These roads are called Historical Tour Rd. and are generally west of Rt. 17. The Historic Tour Route is a great 5-6 mile loop through Revolutionary War battlefields. PRO TIPS: Historical Tour route is closed to vehicular traffic until mid-morning, making it a runner’s paradise. And it’s especially beautiful in all seasons but this mid-November run was especially scenic.
Author Photo
Run the Fields: Put together your own tour of sections of roads and along some of the well-worn paths of the historic battlefields. Some wonderfully open terrain, dotted with trees. Especially pretty at sunrise/sunset!
One of the best beach & boardwalk runs in the mid-Atlantic U.S. The beach is 5+ miles of wide, firm, packed sand. The boardwalk is 2.7 miles long and features an amusement park and famed Neptune Statue.
A 2,888 acre park located on Cape Henry at the northern end of Virginia Beach. It's a great option to combine a beach run with the park's 19 miles of trails, through dunes, marshes, & forests. The Cape Henry trail is among the best for running.
10 mile trail from Norfolk State University following the Elizabeth River northward to Terminal Boulevard. Most scenic sections for running are at the southern end near Norfolk State University, and the northern end.
A scenic run around this 500-acre National Monument, the largest stone fort built in the United States. Several miles of waterfront path, beaches, and a fort to run around - what could be better?
5 mile gravel trail around Lake Maury, within Mariners Museum Park in Newport News. Picnic areas, benches, 14 bridges, and mile markers. Very pleasant off-road run.
A pleasant 3.2 mile loop on a paved trail, paralleling Kiln Creek Parkway, just south of Newport News Park and near the airport. Pass by pretty homes, villages, and a golf course.
7,000 acre park has a large range of activities, and many options for runners. 5-mile loop along a bike path, miles for trail running, and a 2 mile paved lakeside road on east side of the Reservoir.
Scenic and memorable run that includes the pedestrian-only streets of historic Colonial Williamsburg, the lovely campus of the College of William & Mary, and the option to enjoy the miles of wooded trails around Lake Matoaka.
Two great running options at this historic site: A 'runseeing' tour of Jamestowne settlement and then Island Drive (short & long options); and the Virginia Capital Trail, which extends for up to 50 miles to Richmond.
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Battlefield Tour. There are two driving tours of Yorktown. The 7-mile Battlefield Rd. (Red Line, Rt. 238) tends to be busier with cars, and has no shoulder. The 9-mile Encampent Tour (Yellow Line) is more recommended for running, as there are few cars. Very pretty, combination of woods, sites, fields. These roads are called Historical Tour Rd. and are generally west of Rt. 17. The Historic Tour Route is a great 5-6 mile loop through Revolutionary War battlefields. PRO TIPS: Historical Tour route is closed to vehicular traffic until mid-morning, making it a runner’s paradise. And it’s especially beautiful in all seasons but this mid-November run was especially scenic.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!