Author: walkfredericksburg

The walk sign-up/registration is only through the AVA Online Start Box program (OSB). You will need to create an account and register for the walk. There is no physical start-box at this location. AVA/IVV credit is $4.00. Event directions can be downloaded after registering online. For those walkers not familiar with the OSB, here’s a link to walk you through the steps:

This is a Seasonal Walk, from May 4th – October 29th, Thursday – Sunday only. The park opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. (or dusk). NOTE: The gates are locked at closing. If you get locked in, call the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-658-4450.

Address and Parking: Go to the Raven Road Access for Crow’s Nest: 81 Raven Rd., Stafford, VA 22554. Cross a one lane bridge and drive 1.6 miles, turning left at sign and then following a narrow road to parking lot. There are pull-outs in case you meet another vehicle and need to pull over. The parking area is only large enough for 18 cars, so car-pooling is suggested if you come with others.

The detailed location of, and driving directions to, the event starting point are included in the event directions, downloaded from the Online Start Box (OSB). To plan your travels, please use the map on this page: https://my.ava.org/event-view.php?sn=125872.

Start Point for Walk: Start at the Crow’s Nest Point Trailhead for the 9K round-trip walk. Add another 1K to your walk by following the Chinquapin Oak Trail that veers of the Crow’s Nest Point Trail.

POC: Kay Shoemaker, sydnakay@yahoo.com

Description of Walk: 9k or 10k.

Rating: 2C

Restrooms: Yes

Strollers: No

Pets: Yes

Wheelchairs: No

For More Information: https://my.ava.org/event-view.php?sn=124250

Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve is a large wilderness area located in Stafford County, VA, between Potomac Creek and Accokeek Creek. The preserve is named after a black sailing ship called The Crow that once docked in the Potomac Creek during the 1800’s. Crow’s Nest was also occupied by Union troops during the Civil War. It is home to nesting bald eagles and was a temporary home to Pocahontas. The Crows Nest Point Trail (9K round trip) takes you along a beautiful wooded path ending at Potomac and Accokeek Creeks. You will see an historic cemetery along the trail with information on early settlers. The Chinquapin Oak Trail veers off the Crow’s Nest Point Trail and adds another 1K round trip distance. Both offer beautiful views of the water.

Start Point for Walk: Spotsylvania County Museum, 6159 Plank Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22407. The walk sign-up/registration is only through the AVA Online Start Box program (OSB). You will need to create an account and register for the walk. There is no physical start-box at this location. AVA/IVV credit is $4.00. Event directions can be downloaded after registering online. For those walkers not familiar with the OSB, here’s a link to walk you through the steps:

Directions: From Route 95, take Exit 130 West. Travel 5 miles. The Visitor Center/Museum will be on the right, just past Chancellor Elementary School (look for the barn). See more information and a location map here: https://my.ava.org/event-view.php?sn=125874

Description of Walk: 5k, 8k, or 10k.

Rating: 2B

Restrooms:  No bathroom at Museum. Closest is at Battlefield Country Store, 6150 Plank Rd, across from Start. Closed Sunday.

Strollers: Hard

Pets: Yes

Wheelchairs: No

There is no shade along the trail. Please carry water.

Walk the First Day of Chancellorsville Battlefield through 215 acres of fields where the battle took place. You will pass 12 historic markers along the trail, as well as several monuments.

Fighting at Chancellorsville opened on the morning of May 1, 1863, along the Orange Turnpike (now Rt. 3) and Orange Plank Road. The 12 historical plaques interspersed along the trail do a great job explaining how the opening stages of the battle unfolded. The 8K and 10K walks travel along sidewalks in a subdivision for a short distance. The small museum houses Spotsylvania County’s history, beginning with early Native Americans and continuing on through the Civil War.

Dates: November 1 – December 31, 2019

Start Point: Fredericksburg Visitor Center, 706 Caroline St. Phone: 540.373.1776

Visitor Center open daily 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday, and 11am – 5pm Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Directions: I-95 exit 130, Rt 3 east. Left on William St. following signs for Historic Downtown. Right on Princess Anne St. Left on Charlotte St. one block to Visitor Center on left at Caroline St. Free parking on Sophia, one block further toward river or pay parking in garage on Wolfe St between Sophia and Caroline. GPS: 38.300973, _77.457907 

Description of walk: 5K or 10K walk along city streets decorated for the holidays. Rated 1A, wheel chairs and strollers fine. Dogs on leash allowed.

Start Point for Walk: Fredericksburg Visitor Center, 706 Caroline St. Fredericksburg, VA

Phone: 540-373-1776

Directions: I‐95 exit 130, Rt 3 East. Left on William St. following signs for Historic Downtown. Right on Princess Anne St. Left on Charlotte St., then one block to Visitor Center on left at Caroline St. Free parking on Sophia St., which is one block further toward river, or pay parking in garage on Wolfe St. between Sophia and Caroline. Visitor Center open daily 9am – 4pm.  Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter.

Description of walk: 6k or 10k

The City of Fredericksburg recently completed a new paved trail along the banks of the Rappahannock. The route follows this trail then also connects to a canal path by the Snowden wetlands. Carry water. Rated 1A (very small hills, mostly on pavement; suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.

ALERT: Admission will be charged on weekends at Old Mill Park (start point for the River 6K). $10.00 for cars; $5.00 for walkers. The park opens daily all year round, closed dusk to dawn.

Start Point for Walk: Fredericksburg Visitor Center, 706 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, 22401

Phone: 540-373-1776

Directions: I‐95 exit 130, Rt 3 East. Left on William St. following signs for Historic Downtown. Right on Princess Anne St. Left on Charlotte St., then one block to Visitor Center on left at Caroline St. Free parking on Sophia St., which is one block further toward river, or pay parking in garage on Wolfe St between Sophia and Caroline. Visitor Center open daily 9am-4pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter.

Description of walk: 5k or 10k

Walk through beautiful, historic Fredericksburg, including the battlefield and along the Rappahannock River. Virginia Special Program: Find the Love. Rated 1A (very small hills, mostly on pavement; however, some of the off-pavement areas may be difficult for wheelchairs and/or strollers.)

Start Point for walk: Culpeper Visitor Center 111 Commerce St, Culpeper, VA, 22701

Phone: 540-727-0611

Directions: From Fredericksburg: Take I-95 exit 130, Rt. 3 west. Travel 35 miles to Culpeper. At 2nd traffic signal in Culpeper, turn right on Main St. then right on Davis to Visitor Center.

From D.C.: Take I-66 West to exit 43A, Rt. 29 South. Follow Rt. 29 for 45 miles thru Warrenton to first Culpeper exit – Business 29. Follow Business 29 for 3 miles into Town of Culpeper – Main St. Turn left at 3rd light on Davis to Visitor Center at end.  Open daily, weekdays 10am -5pm, weekends 9-5. Closed for short lunch breaks and on major holidays.

Description of walk: 5k or 10k

The uniqueness of this walk results from the emphasis Culpeper places on preserving historic buildings and landmarks from each era of its history. The route includes National Cemetery and Yowell Meadow Park. Many restaurants near the start/finish make this an excellent choice for a walk, then lunch. There is an “A” award for this event, which is a 3.75”x5” patch. Rated 2A (medium hills, mostly on pavement; probably suitable for strollers but not for wheelchairs).

Start Point for Walk: Ashland Visitor Center located in the train station, 112 N. Railroad Ave, at the intersection of England St. and Railroad Ave.  Open daily 9am to 5pm. Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Phone: 800-897-1479

Directions: Ashland is about 12 miles north of Richmond. I-95 exit 92 to Rt 64 West (England St.) into downtown Ashland. Click here for map and directions: https://my.ava.org/event-view.php?sn=125873

Description of walk: 5k or 10k

Route visits historic Ashland with its serene landscapes, historic architecture, and trains that rumble through downtown following the main street. Beautiful campus of Randolph-Macon College is on the route. There is an “A” award for this event which is a 3″x5″ patch depicting a steam locomotive pulling out of the Ashland Train Station. Rated 1A (very small hills, mostly on pavement; suitable for wheelchairs and strollers).

Start Point for Walk:  Warrenton Visitor Center 21 Main St.

Phone: 540‐341‐0988

Directions: Warrenton is 12 miles west of Manassas. From the north or south take US Highways 15, 17, or 29 towards Warrenton. Follow eastern bypass 17/29 to East Lee St. exit (Co. 643). Go West. Right on Falmouth St. which will become Main St. Visitor Center open Monday-Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm. Online Start Box is available and should be used on weekends.

Description of walk: 6K or 10K

Walk along brick sidewalks in this well-preserved town reflecting the historical role as an agricultural crossroads. Route passes the post‐Civil War home of Col. Mosby, the Gray Ghost. 10K also goes along Greenway Rail Trail. There is an “A” award for this event which is a patch depicting Col. Mosby, the Gray Ghost.  The patch measures 3”x2.5”. Rated 1A (a few hills, mostly sidewalks; suitable for wheelchairs and strollers).