Mountain Biking Coastal Virginia

Trail Description

Marl Ravine was built by members of the Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association in cooperation with York River State Park specifically for mountain biking. This sort of partnership is encouraging given the rate at which trails in other areas of the country are being closed to mountain bikers. The club maintains several other mountain biking trails in eastern Virginia, but this was the first to be developed on state property with the blessings from the government folks in Richmond. The relationship between EVMA and York River State Park has worked so well that plans are under way to develop a second, more challenging loop in the vicinity of Croaker boat landing on the York River. This planned, five-to-seven-mile route will feature longer ups and downs in an area of the 2,500-acre park that consists of deep ravines whose waters drain and replenish the York River.

Finding the trail: Take exit 231 off I-64 and go east on Croaker Road (VA 607). Turn right onto Riverview Road (VA 606) and then left onto York River Park Road (VA 696). After passing the entrance station, the bike trails will be on your right. Entrance to Marl Ravine Trail is well marked and off Backbone Trail.

Notes on the trail: Enter Marl Ravine Upper Trail off of Backbone Trail. The Marl Ravine Upper and Lower Trails form a loop that is actually one-half of the entire Marl Ravine loop. After completing the Upper/Lower Trail loop, you can continue onto Big Loop Trail or bail out onto the flatter Backbone Trail by taking the appropriately named Bail-Out Trail. This is less confusing than it sounds because of well-placed trail signs at critical intersections.

Riders are encouraged to wear helmets and to use common courtesy when encountering other riders on the trail. IMBA's Rules of the Trail are definitely in order on the demanding but very popular Marl Ravine Trail. The Marl Ravine Mountain Bike Trail brochure, available at the York River State Park's entrance station as well as at the Marl Ravine trailhead, describes a unique and very fertile coastal habitat that several uncommon and quickly vanishing plants call home. Be sure to stick to the established trails.

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