I've biked there (about 8 miles one way) and I've also taken my dogs there for a walk. The Trail is actually a roadway that has been set aside for only recreational uses. It does say you can ride horses there, but I don't know if I'd really find it that enjoyable. It is a straight roadway and your horses would be walking on the road with people walking, running and bicycles coming and going down the road. The road still has the mile markers so you do know how far you've gone. There are park benches along the way that you can stop and have a sit and watch the canal. It is nice and peaceful there.
This was a great place to take a leisure bike ride down the canal. The road is wide and flat. There are places along the way with benches facing the canal to stop and take a break. Great way to spend an afternoon.
A great trail for bike riding without having to worry about cars. If you want a longer ride, head south on 17 into North Carolina. You will see another section of the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail that is longer and winds through some woods. The only problem has been some bumps in the pavement. Recently they have been working to fix them, but you just have to be aware. I have never seen any bears!
nicely paved, used to be a 2 lane road so it's great for bikes, family walks on a Sunday afternoon. Next to the intracoastal waterway with benches to stop and sit for a while. 8 miles long so if you bring the bikes it could be a nice little ride.
Scenic, easy ride for biking. Parking is convenient. We enjoyed the fresh air, wide trail, easy access. We even went over to the NC side and rode their bike trail too. We took along a picnic and had a fun-filled day!
You can get a chance to see how this part of the area was like hundreds of years ago. Beautiful scenery and lots of animals. Good fishing too.
The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is a decent enough place to ride a bike without worrying about cars, but the city of Chesapeake could do a lot to make it an even better experience. The restrooms won't be opened until the fall of 2014. The last four miles or so of the ride are without shade and exposed to the wind (adjacent to a corn field). Trees branches and vines are starting to grow into the path of riders in places and need to be trimmed. It's definitely not like a ride in the park, but it will do for traffic-free riding. It gets a grade of "C" at best.
nice trail for walking, running or biking, mostly level, trees and nature right along the water. Always interesting any time of year
But you'll be surprised. Good access, lots of wildlife. Birding opportunities during migration are excellent. Go commune with nature. :p
This is an 8 mile closed stretch of a two lane road along a canal used for bike riding, jogging or just a leasure walk. It is a very quiet place to spend a few hours because no motorized form of transporation are allowed on this road. You can be there in ten minutes from Chesapeake's city hall area.