Virginia Beach Trail

The city brings in a massive new shared-use path suitable for all types of travelers

By Kelsey Thomas / Above:  Bridge rendering across Independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach Town Center. Photo courtesy of City of Virginia Beach.

A new trail is coming to Virginia Beach and is paving the way for visitors and locals alike to explore the city in a safer and more direct way. 

The pathway is friendly for all types of travelers, including pedestrians, cyclists, runners, wheelchair users and more. And it will connect other transportation routes into one big network.

The shared-use path will take over a portion of the former Norfolk Southern railroad and will be 12 miles long and 10’ wide. Stretching from the oceanfront, through Town Center and all the way to the Norfolk border at the Newtown Road HRT station, guests will have a direct way of travel that is separate from vehicular travel. It will also be the first trail of its kind here in Virginia Beach. 

While still in the very early stages, the Virginia Beach Trail has already begun construction earlier this year following a $14.9 million federal grant approval in January with a $3.9 million local match for phase 1. There is a pre-existing 1.7-mile stretch already at the Oceanfront, which will be used in the operations of the overall trail. 

Phase 1, which is the stretch between Newtown and Town Center, is expected to be complete around summer 2029. Once complete, it is planned for construction to continue into Phase 2, Town Center to
S. Plaza Trail, and eventually Phase 3, the South Plaza Trail
to Birdneck Road.

Learn more at Parks.VirginiaBeach.Gov.