Numerous Trails Make Hiking Easy in Martinsville
hiking, jack dalton park, martinsville, recreation, trails, trekkers,
Around Martinsville‚ if someone tells you to “Go take a hike‚” it’s more likely to be an invitation than an insult. That’s because the area has a wide variety of trails‚ with paths for hikers‚ joggers and cyclists to wend their way through parks and preserves.
Henry County’s Parks & Recreation Department boasts several appealing trails‚ Director Roger Adams says.
The flat‚ paved trail around Jack E. Dalton Park in Collinsville is popular with walkers of all levels. “Every day you’ll see moms pushing baby carriages‚ senior citizens out strolling‚ parents out with their kids‚” Adams says. Because the trail is lighted around the clock‚ “you can come out at 1 a.m. and find people who work swing shifts out getting their exercise.”
For those looking for a more scenic getaway – and a bit more challenging trek – there’s Doe Run Park on DuPont Road in Martinsville.
Named after the Doe Run Creek‚ the 30-acre park was once a wildlife preserve owned by DuPont Co.‚ which donated the land to the county. The wooded acreage features two trails – Laurel and Doe Run – and hikers have the opportunity to see birds and other wildlife as they enjoy a slice of nature nestled in the middle of the community.
Other county parks with trails include Collinsville Jaycee Park and Fisher Farm Park in Ridgeway. Lake Lanier within the Martinsville city limits is another popular destination.
The number of trails in the area is expected to continue growing‚ as the West Piedmont Planning District Commission has proposed a network of bicycle routes throughout the region as part of a long-term plan.
Nearby Fairy Stone State Park – one of Virginia’s oldest and largest parks – is also a big draw for those looking for a serene‚ wooded setting‚ says Park Manager John Grooms.
The park‚ which gets its name from the crystalline crosses that legend says are the tears of angels‚ has 18.5 miles of trails open year-round‚ ranging in difficulty from moderate to strenuous. About half are multiuse‚ open to mountain bikers and horseback riders in addition to hikers‚ Grooms says.
For those who are really serious about hitting the trails‚ only 30 minutes away from Henry County is one of the most beloved units of the National Park Service‚ the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. Stretching across the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina‚ the parkway boasts hundreds of hiking trails winding through the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
With so many different types of trails in the area‚ just about anyone – from toddlers to trekkers – can find a place to “go take a hike.”
Story by Anna America
Photo by Wes Aldridge
