Loop hike to Yorktown

---

Other than a short trail that connects the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center with Redoubts 9 and 10, there is only one opportunity for hiking at Yorktown Battlefield.

---

VISITOR CENTER TO HISTORIC YORKTOWN LOOP HIKE

Length: 2.5-mile loop
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: easy

While Historic Yorktown itself is not officially part of Colonial National Historical Park, many of the homes in the historic district are owned by the National Park Service. In addition, the business district offers shops and restaurants, and since there is no food service at the park, Yorktown is the place to head when you get hungry.

A free trolley bus runs from the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center to many locations in Yorktown, but for those who want some exercise, a 2.5-mile loop can be formed using two paved paths and one traditional hiking trail (Tobacco Road Trail) that allows you to see everything in town. If it is a pleasant day and you are physically able, I highly recommend walking over riding the bus.

Unless you are really hungry, I suggest starting your trip along a paved path that leads directly to the historic district and catching the shops and restaurants on the way back. The path starts at the trolley bus stop and picnic area, which if you are outside and facing the Visitor Center, is to your left. This path is for pedestrians only; no bikes.

Start of the paved path from the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center to Historic Yorktown

The path, and the hike in general, is largely out in the open and exposed to the sun. If avoiding the sun is important to you, be sure to apply sunscreen and wear a hat.

Paved path between the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center and Historic Yorktown

On the way you will pass the Yorktown Victory Monument, which was erected in 1881. Only ten days after Cornwallis surrendered in 1781, Congress called for a monument to be built at Yorktown. As you can see, it took 100 years for government funding to come through—slow by even government standards.

Yorktown Victory Monument

The historic district begins at the Dudley Digges House. Most buildings are closed to the public. The exception is the Nelson House, which is open only during the summer and only as staffing allows. A daily schedule is posted at the Visitor Center. All other buildings are either private residences or are being operated as businesses, including a few museums and art galleries. See the Historical Buildings of Yorktown web page for a list of properties.

Historic district of Yorktown, Virginia

From the Digges House it is only a five-block walk across the town. When you reach the Swan Tavern you have come to the end of the historic district. All you must do to reach the business district is take any street down to the river. In addition to shops and restaurants, you can rent kayaks, sign up for river cruises, and even go to the beach. At this point you will have walked roughly 1.25 miles, making this the halfway point on the journey.

Walk from Yorktown’s historic area to the shopping district

Shopping and restaurant area of Yorktown, Virginia

To complete the loop back to the Visitor Center, take the Riverwalk. This is a scenic, paved path that runs along the York River until reaching the eastern edge of town. Wayside exhibits along the way tell the history of Yorktown.

Riverwalk runs along the York River in Yorktown, Virginia

Beaches along the York River in Yorktown, Virginia

At the end of Riverwalk is a parking lot. Once there, look towards the forest on your right for the start of the Tobacco Road Trail. The trail is slightly uphill, but it is still an easy hike. It is .4 mile from here back to the Visitor Center.

Parking area at the end of Riverwalk in Yorktown, Virginia

Start of the Tobacco Road Trail in Yorktown, Virginia

The trail follows the historical route used by tobacco farmers to bring their crops to the port at Yorktown without having to travel through town. On a nice day this is a lovely walk along a wide and smooth trail.

Typical terrain of the Tobacco Road Trail in Yorktown, Virginia

The trail passes a forest of bamboo—or at least what I call bamboo—with shafts taller than the footbridge that towers above the trail. This is the same footbridge you traveled on at the beginning of the hike.

Bamboo forest along the Tobacco Road Trail in Yorktown, Virginia

The Tobacco Road Trail comes out on the opposite side of the parking lot from where you began, so if you want to start the hike by first heading to the shops and restaurants, this is where you look for the trailhead.

Trailhead at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center for the Tobacco Road Trail

I’m not sure if this hike would be much fun if it were miserably hot out, but on the gorgeous day in mid-April when I did the hike it was a completely enjoyable time. I even hesitate to call it a “hike,” as it is really just a leisurely stroll through history. It takes about two hours to complete the journey, which includes time to see all the old houses, but it does not include going inside any open houses, stopping for lunch, or going shopping.

Back to the Top