Buttermilk East

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

This trail can either be a continuation from Buttermilk Proper towards the Slave Trail and Ancarrow's East, or it can be the first trail segment to access the James River Park System from the Manchester Wall/Floodwall parking area. (Note that the floodwall to the east of the parking area at Manchester Wall can be used as a connector if you want to continue towards the Richmond Slave Trail and Ancarrow's East. To access the floodwall, head north alongside the parking area and turn east onto the floodwall.)

If youre beginning Buttermilk East at the Manchester Wall/Floodwall parking area, head west over the grassy hill and up the paved asphalt path. When you reach the top of the asphalt, turn right onto the pedestrian walkway, crossing the railroad tracks. Continue right to reach the trail to the right of the sidewalk and head straight alongside the Suntrust building. The dirt trail will end and transition to a road. Continue until the trail reappears on the right. When you reach Lee Bridge, you'll come to a stretch of loose rock. Maintain momentum throughout this section to make it across. Follow the trail back into the trees until you reach a kiosk at the Belle Isle access intersection. This marks the end of Buttermilk East and the beginning of Buttermilk Proper.

To continue to Buttermilk Proper, go straight until the trail leads you back into the trees. To continue right on to Belle Isle (and to access the Belle Isle Bike Skills Course), walk across the pedestrian bridge and down the steps on the other side (some people have been known to ride down the stairs, but I don't as to not tear up my tires). At the bottom of the steps, you can take two ways to get to Belle Isle: 1. The easier of the two directionally, along the fence that borders the railroad tracks, or 2. Go down left and pick your way along a path that has been made on top of a cement pipe amongst slickrock and trees (note that you'll have to make a right to make it up to the bridge over to Belle Isle to continue on the ride). Both routes will result with you ending up on the car access bridge to Belle Isle on its southern side.