Elizabeth River Trail

Connecting People, Places, and Possibilities!

The Elizabeth River Trail stands at a transformational moment, and only YOU can help shape what comes next. As a newly designated National Recreation Trail, the ERT is poised to grow beyond its 10.5 miles to connect more neighborhoods, more people, and more opportunities across Hampton Roads and become the jewel of an 82-mile regional trail network.

Your support of the Path Forward campaign will power this next chapter, expanding the trail, opening the first Trailside Headquarters in Chelsea, launching adaptive cycling programs, and preparing for Sail250, a once-in-a-generation celebration that will bring the world to Norfolk’s waterfront. Together, we can connect more communities, inspire wellness and creativity, and ensure everyone can experience the beauty and energy of the trail.

This is your trail. This is your moment. Join us on the Path Forward and help build the connections that make our community thrive.

The Foundation believes everyone deserves safe access to green space and that trails can transform communities!

Through an initial Capital Campaign, launched in 2016 the Foundation led an impassioned effort to re-energize and enhance the Elizabeth River Trail. The initial segment of the Elizabeth River Trail opened in 2003 along 3,500 feet of railroad right of way between Southampton Avenue next to Fort Norfolk in Atlantic City, and Claremont Avenue in what is now called Chelsea, a thriving business and residential district and soon to be home to the ERTF Visitor Hub!

Today, managed by a non-profit Foundation, the Elizabeth River Trail runs 10.5 miles between Norfolk State University and Norfolk International Terminals, connecting 28 neighborhoods. Highlights along the trail include Town Point Park, the USS Wisconsin, Fort Norfolk, Plum Point Park, The Glowline, and several of Norfolk’s historic neighborhoods. Much of this trail is off-road, and efforts to get more of it off-road continue. The trail occupies in part a railroad right of way and yet incorporates a seafaring history as it follows Norfolk’s varied and highly interesting waterfront.

Our mission is to plan, program, and advocate for the ERT to connect Naval Station Norfolk to the Virginia Beach Trail. We envision the ERT being a global model of waterfront trail resilience designed and created for and by the community. Through improved infrastructure, supportive amenities, signature trailheads, and creative community projects, we can provide enhanced connectivity between neighborhoods and to Norfolk’s natural environment.

By supporting the ERT during Give Local 757, you're supporting an essential, resilient, and transformative trail, and our very first trailside office and visitor hub!