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Mendota Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 174 Google reviews · Running trail in Bristol, Virginia · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 11 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Mendota 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.
Long trail used for mountain biking and hiking, with scenic views.
What runners say about Mendota Trail
“New looking paved parking lot with 2very clean bathrooms, shelter/picnic area, water fountains and more in Bristol.”
“In fairness its not the most beautiful time to check it out.”
“A few road crossings that slow you down but great for running or walking!”
“Cool swinging suspension bridge (Abbotts Crossing) along side Sunny Side Trestle at about the 11 mile marker.”
“Very serene, nice hills and a fairly long trail”
The Mendota Trail is now open for most of it’s length. However the Bristol, VA official parking lot is not available until the American with Disabilities Act Certification is completed. The trail may be accessed many points along the various roads to Mendota.
This is a beautiful trail in a gorgeous part of Virginia. We were fortunate enough to be dropped off at the Benhams Parking Lot so that we just could do the downhill section, but we ended up heading to within 2 miles of Bristol, so we had some uphill as well. The grade is pretty easy and the trail is well maintained.
Very nice biking trail that is 25 miles round trip Bristol to Mendota to Bristol, Va. New looking paved parking lot with 2very clean bathrooms, shelter/picnic area, water fountains and more in Bristol. First half mile is smooth pavement, The remainder is predominantly packed and loose pea gravel.
We rode our bikes on July 14, 2023 starting at the Bristol, VA parking area. The trail was complete for 6 miles. It was uphill for the first mile then leveled off for a mile then dropped for a couple of miles then leveled off again. All in all we rode 12 miles round trip with a total elevation gain of 800 feet.
Trail conditions & character
“However the Bristol, VA official parking lot is not available until the American with Disabilities Act Certification is completed.”
“Bucolic mountain vistas, river views, mostly shaded trails, some wildlife.”
“Very nice biking trail that is 25 miles round trip Bristol to Mendota to Bristol, Va.”
“First 3 miles from Bristol are uphill and then 2 miles down hill to Benhams where another parking lot is.”
“My least favorite part was a small area that was a steep narrow uphill with rough gravel, and paralleled a road.”
“New looking paved parking lot with 2very clean bathrooms, shelter/picnic area, water fountains and more in Bristol.”
“Very serene, nice hills and a fairly long trail”
“New looking paved parking lot with 2very clean bathrooms, shelter/picnic area, water fountains and more in Bristol.”
“Cool swinging suspension bridge (Abbotts Crossing) along side Sunny Side Trestle at about the 11 mile marker.”
“It is paved for awhile, and a nice relatively flat trail for anyone.”
“New looking paved parking lot with 2very clean bathrooms, shelter/picnic area, water fountains and more in Bristol.”
Plan your run at Mendota Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance11 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitemendotatrail.org
- Phone(276) 525-1300
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Bristol
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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