VCT-4M-27 E

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Richmond, VA, US

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Route Overview

Road-Tested Bike Tours, LLC

Bike tour planning

26 mi.

851 ft.

Expect rolling terrain and some gentle climbs along the Virginia Capital Trail and surrounding countryside on this figure-8 ride. You'll visit unique sites, including Malvern Hill battlefield, Harrison Lake Fish Hatchery, Upper Shirley Vineyards and Shirley Plantation. Half of this ride is on the Virginia Capital Trail and half is on rural country roads.

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Route Details

# FOUR MILE CREEK - 27 MILES

You’ll start your ride at the @point[Four Mile Creek trailhead](d,24.59) on the Virginia Capital Trail.  Your first @slice[two miles](d,55.33,2704.72) are on the Virginia Capital Trail.  Then you’ll spend @slice[the next four miles](d,2772.45,9820.38) riding historic Civil War roads leading to the @poi[Malvern Hill battlefield](2110173).  According to the National Park Service “Malvern Hill is the best preserved Civil War battlefield in central or southern Virginia. Nearly unaltered in appearance since 1862, the battlefield's rural setting and extensive walking trails offer an ideal environment for visitors to study the climactic battle of the Seven Days Campaign.”

Leaving the battlefield you’ll head back to the Virginia Capital Trail, @slice[another scenic three mile ride](d,9647.69,14137.91) through forests and fields of corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans and wheat.

You’ll ride on the Virginia Capital Trail for @slice[a mile](d,14180.57,16150.01) before starting the second half of your figure-8 ride at @point[mile 10.1](d,16320.19).  A store stop is available at @point[mile 10.9](d,17614.05) at the Gulf/Colonial Mart.

After your break, you'll enjoy the rural landscape on the @slice[three mile long Kimages Road](d,18021,23042.85).  Consider @point[a side-trip](d,22398.77) to the @poi[U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery](2110170) where there is fishing, boating, hiking, wildlife watching, and picnicking.

You’ll rejoin the Virginia Capital Trail at @point[mile 14.3](d,23049.75). This section of the Trail is @poi[wonderfully forested](2111049). At @point[mile 16.8](d,27100.69), you can take a side-trip to visit@poi[ Upper Shirley Vineyards and Shirley Plantation](2110172), a National Historic Landmark.  Please note that the road surface changes from asphalt to fine gravel within a mile of leaving the Virginia Capital Trail.

You'll reach Route 156 at @point[mile 20](d,32196.17). Look for the tee pee in the field! This intersection also marks where the Trans America cyclists turn to continue on Bicycle Route 76, eventually taking them all the way to Oregon.

@slice[Enjoy your last five miles](d,32207.03,42397.89) on the Virginia Capital Trail as you return to the @poi[Four Mile Creek trailhead](2129215).  The Virginia Capital Trail will feature many wooden bridges over tidal marshes and James River tributaries.

## Cycling Adventures Along the Virginia Capital Trail

For more adventures, check out my guide book [here](https://roadtestedbiketours.com/virginia-capital-trail-guide-books/)!

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VCT-4M-27 E

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