Richmond James Canal Walk

2.2 miles (3.6 km)

This walk or cycle takes you along the James Canal in Richmond, Virginia.
Begin your walk near Richmond’s Battlefield Park, where preserved earthworks and interpretive signs mark the site of several key Civil War engagements in the city’s defences. From here, it’s a short walk to the start of the James River Canal Walk, which traces the old towpaths along the Kanawha, Haxall, and James Rivers through downtown Richmond.
The paved trail offers easy walking alongside the canal’s still waters, with views across landscaped green spaces, bridges, and stretches of the James River itself. As you follow the route toward Brown’s Island, you’ll pass a range of historical exhibits, sculptures, and public art installations. These features line the path and help tell the story of Richmond’s past through medallions, markers, and interpretive displays covering over 400 years of the city's cultural and industrial history.