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The Noland Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 349 Google reviews · Running trail in Newport News, Virginia · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from The Noland 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.
Wooded and scenic 5-mile trail featuring turtles and lake views, plus bridges.
What runners say about The Noland Trail
“This trail is a great walking/jogging trail that is really well kept, beautiful views and very clearly laid out.”
“This trail is a great walking/jogging trail that is really well kept, beautiful views and very clearly laid out.”
“This trail is a great walking/jogging trail that is really well kept, beautiful views and very clearly laid out.”
“Also, I would walk the trail clockwise because there are some confusing sections near the museum as to exactly where the trail is at, it's not clearly marked.”
“The Nolan Trail is a beautiful 5 mile loop with moderate foot traffic but still offers a peaceful escape.”
Great trail, gorgeous scenery. Offers shorter run 3.5 and full 5 mile around the lake. Best advice get there earlier in the evening, they close at sundown. They begin locking certain gates at 7. Have fun and enjoy your run, hike, or nature walk.
Excellent trail! 5.0 miles. Well maintained and marked. Tells you when you've reached .5 mile. South entrance, North entrance and parking, so remember where you're coming from.
This is a fantastic trail to visit if you live in Hampton Roads! I will warn you that it's 5 miles long so just be weary of the markers along the way to know how far you want to go. It was a really pretty and warm day in January when I went and the view of the water is gorgeous.
This is one of the best trails in Hampton Roads, hands down. This trail is a great walking/jogging trail that is really well kept, beautiful views and very clearly laid out. Although the trail is around the lake, it still has small elevation changes, it's not totally flat so there is a little difficulty added in.
Trail conditions & character
“This trail is a great walking/jogging trail that is really well kept, beautiful views and very clearly laid out.”
“BLUF: 5 miles, very well marked, some hills, lots of free parking along the route, lots of benches to rest on and viewing points to admire.”
“BLUF: 5 miles, very well marked, some hills, lots of free parking along the route, lots of benches to rest on and viewing points to admire.”
“I only got a mile in because my dog was tired, but I'll definitely be back to walk the rest of it!”
“The Nolan Trail is a beautiful 5 mile loop with moderate foot traffic but still offers a peaceful escape.”
“The Nolan Trail is a beautiful 5 mile loop with moderate foot traffic but still offers a peaceful escape.”
“Although the trail is around the lake, it still has small elevation changes, it's not totally flat so there is a little difficulty added in.”
“Although the trail is around the lake, it still has small elevation changes, it's not totally flat so there is a little difficulty added in.”
“BLUF: 5 miles, very well marked, some hills, lots of free parking along the route, lots of benches to rest on and viewing points to admire.”
“It's pretty much all up and down but nothing crazy but I wouldn't recommend a wheelchair or elderly people doing the whole thing unless they're in some sort of shape.”
Plan your run at The Noland Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Loop distance5 mi back to where you parked. 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.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitennparksandrec.org
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Running trails near Newport News
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Mariners' Lake Natural Area
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Matteson Trail
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Chatham Park
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Peaceful park featuring a walking trail that circles a pond and lake.