The Best Hiking Neighborhoods in RVA

by Fayeruz Regan 05.2024

I learned the hard way never to hike in the woods alone. Luckily, I wasn’t the victim of a crime. But I could have been, had others not shown up.

One afternoon, I was hiking solo en route to the Bronson Caves. This Hollywood landmark features the original “Batcave” from the 1960s TV series. In the opening sequence, viewers see the Batmobile zipping out of this cave, and I wanted to explore the area.

I passed a few people along the trail, but Griffith Park was relatively empty that day. When I came to a clearing, instinct told me I wasn’t alone. I looked up and saw a man with a moustache, smiling at me. I smiled back, then tried to pass to the right. He blocked me. I tried to pass to the left, and still smiling, he blocked me again. In a split second a million things ran through my head. Miraculously, a family came bounding down the trail, and when he saw them, he took off. I left with that family.

Richmonders often claim that to have a decent hike, one must go west to Charlottesville and the Shenandoah mountains. While it makes for a great day trip, it’s not convenient for those who like to hike often. The Buttermilk trail and other James River footpaths feature decent inclines. But since I prefer to hike alone to clear my head, these options don’t address the safety issue of flying solo in the woods. In Los Angeles, mountains seemed as if they were plopped haphazardly in the middle of a metropolis. I got used to solitary hikes in places with plenty of doorbells, and people to hear me scream.

Richmond may be comparatively flat, but I have doggedly searched for the best neighborhood hikes. I explored communities around the river to uncover the most scenic places with an incline to get your heart pumping. I’m happy to share these secrets with you. Here are some of the best.

Three Chopt and Iris Lane

Right where Grove Avenue ends at Three Chopt, where all the private schools form a cluster, sits a hilly neighborhood that’s also a feast for the eyes. Venture down Iris Lane off Three Chopt and take in the stately homes and old-growth trees. The hills are so challenging that residents tend to scoot around in golf carts; especially since this neighborhood abuts the Country Club of Virginia. You’ll have to return to this neighborhood a few times to wind through miles of roads. You’ll uncover old stone houses built in the 1920s and an eco-corridor that runs alongside the University of Richmond.

Hollywood Cemetery

It’s hard to classify this hike as morbid when it offers sweeping cliffside views of the James River and an open-air mausoleum with stained glass windows. No one can deny the beauty of the ornate graves, or the aggressive inclines that will leave you breathless. While there, you can check out the graves of Lewis Ginter, President James Monroe, and other famous residents.

Rothesay neighborhood

At the west end of Douglasdale Road is an exclusive neighborhood with hills all around. It’s impossible to get lost because the area is isolated on three sides by the James River, Powhite Parkway, and the forest behind Windsor Farms. You’ll find Tobacco money-era mansions overlooking the James and Japanese gardens. The coolest feature? The Philadelphia Quarry, from the 1800s. Sure, it’s a super-secret swimming hole for locals only, and you can’t even get into the website without a secret password. But if you peek through the trees from the heights of Rothesay Circle or the netted fence, you’ll witness the steep granite walls, sparkling water, and floating docks. I’m still trying to find someone who can get me in.

Downtown

I know it’s unconventional. No one thinks of the city when it comes to hikes, but downtown has the most aggressive hills out there. Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, and the grassy hills surrounding the Virginia War Memorial beckon to those looking for a challenge. What downtown lacks in natural beauty is more than made up for with architecture, educational historical markers, window shopping, and plenty of places to end your adventure with a cold drink.

As I write this, I realize there are more neighborhood hikes I haven’t mentioned. I’ll likely release a part two. Until then, go take a hike.