Where Are the Crozet Trails?

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By Nana Corley

Crozet public trails
Crozet public trails

One of the most common questions the Crozet Trails Crew hears is “Where are the trails?” Maps of the trails are available on our web site CrozetTrailsCrew.org (click on “Find a Trail,” then “Trails by City” and “Trails Near Crozet”). But let’s be simple and just go through the access points to the trails.

In order for a trail to be considered “public,” it needs to be on public property (or a public trail easement) and there needs to be an access point that includes public parking. If the public trail segment does not include a public access point, it is considered semi-private and is only accessible by the properties that are adjacent to the trail segment. When you look at the map, look for green trail segments that are adjacent to a “P” in a blue circle (indicates a parking area).

Trails in Old Trail

Probably the best-established trail is the Lindy Bain Loop in Old Trail. You can get on this trail from Old Trail Drive. Public parking is located at the Village Center. From there, you would need to walk south along Old Trail Drive. There is an entrance on both sides of Old Trail Drive before you start up the hill towards Route 250. The west side of the street is marked with a trail sign; the entrance on the east side is directly across the street. Or you can enter the loop farther north on Old Trail Drive, through the future county park site (across the street from Woodbourne Lane.) Another place to enter the Lindy Bain Loop is from the south side of Golf Drive, just east of Baywick Circle. There is a sign marking the trail at that location. The northwest section of the Lindy Bain Loop is currently closed, and will be re-routed when construction of homes in that area is completed. The section between Henley Middle School and Old Trail Drive will soon be seeing major construction activity, and should be avoided once it starts.

Also in Old Trail is the Creekside Trail, which you can reach from the Old Trail community trail system, on the south side of Wellbourne Lane, across from Millstream Drive. Turn to your right behind the houses, to follow this lovely trail along Lickinghole Creek. The western end of this trail will be finished after construction in the area is completed.

The Crozet Connector Trail

We have a special place in our hearts for the Crozet Connector Trail, large parts of which are open to the public. From the west, there is an entrance in Westhall, at the end of Summerdean Road. Follow the paved path at the end of Summerdean Road, between two houses, then cross the pedestrian bridge. Turn right to follow the trail along the small creek. Public parking is available on Summerdean Road near the playground about a block south.

As you follow the Connector Trail east, it runs to the south of Foothill Crossing and then continues towards Western Ridge. The public trail ends after crossing the Zvarych-Rosinski bridge to the east of Foothill Crossing. There is a stretch of private property (the large field) between the end of this public trail segment and the public trail system adjacent to Western Ridge.

If you live in Western Ridge or have non-motorized access to the neighborhood, you can access the eastern-most segment of the Crozet Connector Trail, which is located south of Western Ridge and connects to Lickinghole Basin. There are no public access points in this section, but it’s worth the walk to visit the shallow lake with its abundance of birds and other wildlife.

Other Trails

There is a short trail at the south side of the Westhall neighborhood called the Lower Westhall Trail. Find one end at the south end of Eastern Avenue, off Park Road just before the new entrance to Westlake at Foothill Crossing. Take a couple steps up the slope and you’re in the woods. The other end of the trail is on the south side of Nicolet Court, behind the first house. This part of the trail passes through a grassy field down toward Lickinghole Creek. Public parking for this trail segment is at the playground on Summerdean Road.

Finally, the Henley Hornets Trail, which was built by students from Henley Middle School, is an out-and-back trail in Beaver Creek Park. Its entrance is at the south end of the dam on the side toward the reservoir. From the parking lot, walk past the WAHS rowing team shed and along the edge of the lake to the trail.

If you have any questions or comments about the status of the trail system, please contact Dan Mahon of Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Department, at [email protected]. To join in the work of the Crozet Trails Crew, visit our web site, CrozetTrailsCrew.org, and click on “Get Involved.”

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