Are dogs allowed on New River Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on New River Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike New River Trail?

No, New River Trail does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is New River Trail?

New River Trail is rated expert. It is 49.7 miles long with 5,673 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Is New River Trail suitable for kids?

New River Trail is not typically recommended for young children due to length, exposure, or technical terrain. Older kids with hiking experience may be fine — use your judgment based on your family's comfort level.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Virginia trail conditions

ExpertPoint to Point

Virginia

New River Trail

Max Meadows, Virginia

49.7 mi

Distance

5,673 ft

Elev. Gain

17h 40m

Est. Time

Point to Point

Route Type

Expert

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

The Norfolk Southern Railroad donated the trail to the state because the railroad discontinued the line. This park is a link to many other outdoor recreational areas. The Dannelly Fitness Complex is in Galax, the Shot Tower Historical State park is in Galax and the Rogers National Recreational Area is in Rogers.

From Wikipedia

New River Trail State Park is a 57.7-mile (92.9 km) rail trail and 1,217-acre (1.902 sq mi) state park located entirely in southwest Virginia, extending from the trail's northeastern terminus in Pulaski to its southern terminus in Galax, with a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) spur from Fries Junction on the main trail to Fries.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:566 ft

Max:735 ft

1,729 ft

1,597 ft

Trail Details

Dogs on leash

Route Type: Point to Point
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

No reviews yet

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.