Trail etiquette on Virginia State Parks' rails-to-trails

Trail etiquette on Virginia State Parks' rails-to-trails
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Trail etiquette on Virginia State Parks' rails-to-trails
Trail etiquette on Virginia State Parks' rails-to-trails
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Trail etiquette on Virginia State Parks' rails-to-trails
By
Starr Anderson
Posted March 25, 2026
Virginia State Parks is home to four
rail-to-trail systems
: The 57-mile
New River Trail
and 32-mile
High Bridge Trail
and 9 miles at
Wilderness Road
and 1.2 miles at
Staunton River Battlefield
Each park offers accessible and scenic trails with a gentle grade, making them perfect for a variety of users, including walkers, runners, cyclists, e-bike riders and, except for Staunton River Battlefield, horseback riders.
With a diverse mix of trail users, it’s essential to follow basic trail etiquette to ensure everyone’s experience is enjoyable and safe.
Here’s what you can do to help.
General trail etiquette for everyone
Stay to the right; pass on the left. Just like a road, staying right keeps traffic smooth and predictable.
Announce your passes. A friendly “On your left!” or a bike bell makes all the difference.
Control your speed. Rail-trails can look simple, but they are busy places, especially near parking areas, bridges and towns.
Keep pets leashed and close.
Trail etiquette by user group
1. Runners and walkers
Stay to the right except when passing.
If you’re running or walking with headphones, keep the volume low or leave one earbud out so you can hear approaching cyclists or horses.
When passing a horse, slow to a walk and speak calmly so the rider and horse know you’re there.
2. Cyclists
Use a bell or a clear verbal signal before passing.
Slow down when approaching horses, young children or congested areas.
When in doubt, dismount near horses.
Ride single file when passing or when the trail is busy.
3. E-bike riders
Virginia State Parks allow many class I and class II
e-bikes
on rail-trails, and etiquette is especially important due to higher potential speeds.
Match your speed to trail conditions. Don’t pass significantly faster than other cyclists.
Make your approach clear with a bell or voice.
Yield to horses, walkers and slower riders.
Avoid sudden acceleration when passing or in crowded areas.
4. Horseback Riders
High Bridge, New River and Wilderness Road welcome horses on their rail-trails, and all other users should remember that horses always have the right of way.
Keep control of your horse and communicate with other trail users. Let them know if your horse is nervous or needs space.
Move to the side and stop if needed when bikes or runners are passing.
Let others know the safest way to approach or pass your horse.
How users should yield to one another
Trail courtesty
A simple, memorable rule of thumb applies:
Horses > pedestrians > bikes/e-bikes
That means:
Cyclists and e-bikers yield to everyone.
Runners and walkers yield to horses.
Horses receive the right of way across the board.
Following this rule keeps encounters predictable and safe.
Virginia’s rail-trails offer room to breathe, wander and connect with nature. A little courtesy goes a long way toward keeping these spaces enjoyable for all who love them.
Start planning your adventure today at
www.virginiastateparks.gov
PARKS
High Bridge Trail State Park
New River Trail State Park
Staunton River Battlefield State Park
Wilderness Road State Park
CATEGORIES
Biking
Biking, Rails to Trails
Hiking
If you have read the article and have a question, please email
nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov
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th
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