Cross This Scenic Footbridge In The Virginia Mountains For An Unforgettable Adventure
The hiking trails in Virginia never fail to impress. Covering a range of landscapes from the Eastern Shore to the Virginia Highlands, these trails are perhaps the best way to get to know the land. Today, we’ll highlight a particularly scenic portion of the Appalachian Trail deemed the James River Footbridge. Spanning the mighty James River, this lovely footbridge offers a unique perspective of the water and the surrounding area. Whether you’re continuing along the Appalachian Trail for a longer trek or simply are curious to experience the bridge, you’ll be happy to travel to this corner of Amherst County, Virginia.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Resting on the piers of an abandoned railroad crossing, the James River Footbridge is a beautiful pedestrian bridge that spans one of the most iconic rivers in Virginia.
The bridge is part of the Appalachian Trail and makes for a convenient crossing where beforehand, hikers would have to take a sharp detour to cross the waters.
The beautiful bridge, which can be found north of the intersection of U.S. 501 North and Virginia 130, is the longest pedestrian-only bridge on the Appalachian Trail.
Crossing the bridge, hikers will gain more than a convenient way to get from one bank of the river to the next. The views from the structure are simply breathtaking.
This lovely bridge has become such a popular destination that it has its own spacious gravel parking lot. There's a trail that leads under the railroad track to the set of stairs that will lead to the bridge.
The 623-foot long bridge is dedicated to the memory of Bill Foot. He and his wife Laurie were avid hikers from Lynchburg who completed the Appalachian Trail together.
So the next time you're craving a scenic adventure in the mountains that doesn't require too much hiking, you'll cherish your visit to this lovely footbridge in Virginia.
Have you visited the James River Footbridge before? If so, we’d love to hear all about it! The bridge is located along the Appalachian Trail, Big Island, VA 24526.
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Alexandria. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
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