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Bald Cypress Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 186 Google reviews · Running trail in Virginia Beach, Virginia · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 20 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Bald Cypress Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Serene trail featuring boardwalks through lagoons with bald cypress, Spanish moss & dragonflies.
What runners say about Bald Cypress Trail
“The unique vegetation—with trees growing directly out of the ponds—is stunning, and the trail is exceptionally well-maintained.”
“The unique vegetation—with trees growing directly out of the ponds—is stunning, and the trail is exceptionally well-maintained.”
“It’s also significantly cooler than the beach area because it is heavily shaded throughout, which made for a very comfortable afternoon.”
“The trails are clearly marked, and it's easy to tell which areas are hiker-only versus shared with bikes.”
“It's an easy walk if you watch for tree roots.”
Interesting and different from the usual trails in the NY - NJ - PA area. Looks like a forest, but you are mostly walking on sand, and the Cypress trees are in swamps / bogs. Cypress trees were particularly interesting because of their surface roots.
My review is for the beach park not the trail This friendly little beach is prettier than any part of VA beach, I’m glad it’s secluded and not many people stop at it, i pulled over to catch the sunset and take pictures and was not disappointed, they have a beautiful boardwalk all the way down to the beach, plenty of…
Saturday morning. The kids are all in the living room. I’m trying to enjoy a cup of coffee with the ol’ ball-and-chain and all I hear is “I’m BORED!” “There’s NOTHING to do!” “Why can’t we go DO something!?” So I turn to my wife and say “Honey, I’m sitting right here. You don’t have to yell.” But she was right...
We loved this trail! Be sure to pick up the information booklet at the Trail Center. There are numbered stops along the trail. The booklet has information about each stop. There are benches along the way. It's an easy walk if you watch for tree roots. I'm an out of shape 64 year old and I did fine.
Trail conditions & character
“The unique vegetation—with trees growing directly out of the ponds—is stunning, and the trail is exceptionally well-maintained.”
“It’s also significantly cooler than the beach area because it is heavily shaded throughout, which made for a very comfortable afternoon.”
“$10 for parking was reasonable for the hour and a half we took to hike around and see frogs and turtles and an array of dogs being walked.”
“$10 for parking was reasonable for the hour and a half we took to hike around and see frogs and turtles and an array of dogs being walked.”
“Cypress trees were particularly interesting because of their surface roots.”
“Clean trails, well marked, easy to follow (more so with AllTrails on your phone).”
“I was initially worried this trail would be too crowded since it's short, flat, and highly accessible, but hiking from 4-6 PM on a Sunday in April was perfect.”
“8 mile loop trail just outside of the main part of Virginia Beach.”
Plan your run at Bald Cypress Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance20 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitedcr.virginia.gov
- Phone(757) 412-2300
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Virginia Beach
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
First Landing State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 7,336 reviews
Cape Henry beachfront park & historic site with marshes, maritime forest, hiking & canoe trails.
