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Wahrani Nature Trail – New Kent County, VA

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Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping
3.4 mls N/A
Hiking Time:
Elev. Gain:
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2.0 hours. Have lunch at the picnic area
280 ft
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Park off VA33 at the Wahrani Nature Trail parking area. 37.50588, -76.85952
 

We did not go to Africa to hike Wahrani but doesn’t it sound like someplace near the Serengeti? According to Nathan Lott’s '60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Richmond', the trail was originally called: “The Warreneye Nature Trail", in honor of the eighteenth-century Warreneye Church that once stood here. In 2003 New Kent County renamed the area 'Wahrani Nature Park' to reflect the word’s Native American origins. That same spelling is now applied to a swamp south of the park. In their effort to anglicize the indigenous term, colonists also came up with Warrenigh, Warreny, and Warren I.”

This trail is southeast of Richmond in New Kent County. A great stroll in the woods and ideal for short winter hikes due to its length of just 3.4 miles. There is not much in the way of views as you would experience in the mountains, but we found it a very relaxing hike with some good up and downs.

You will do multiple creek crossings passing by groves of loblolly pines, tulip poplars, oak, hickory, dogwoods and various other trees. A summer hike would keep you in the shade most of the time. Do the blue loop trail as there is an old grave of Captain John Long, Age 25, d. 1736, Commander of the ship “John & Mary”. He was from Ramsgate, County of Kent, Great Britain.

Note: Many of the trail blazes can get a little confusing.

From the parking area, head to the sign with the park rules and bear right. Go about 0.2 miles and then turn right onto the green diamond mountain bike trail. This will parallel VA33 for a few minutes before it starts to climb a little with a few switchbacks. The next intersection in 0.2 miles is the start of many confusing markings. It will look like you want to follow the green blazes to the right, and you will even see some blazes on the trees, but that trail goes nowhere. At this intersection stay straight on the seemingly unmarked trail, do not go to the right!! In about 0.3 miles you will see another trail paralleling the one you are on, do not cross over to it, you will come back to it. Stay on the trail and you will very quickly come to a trail marker pole, bear to the left and then in about 200 feet the trail splits, bear to the right until the next trail marker pole in about 0.1 miles. There are multiple blazes at this intersection, go right and there will be mostly yellow paint blazes on the trees. In 0.1 miles, at the “boardwalk” go right.

The next intersection is in 0.4 miles and it will be on your left, white blazed, ignore it and go straight if you want to see the grave, etc., follow the C trail (straight ahead). If you’re done and want to return to the parking area, follow B (turn left). That 0.5 mile section was described as:

“...an area of one trail where the banks of the trail rose on either side to be nearly 8 feet higher than foot level.  It was explained that this part of the trail was once a portion of a road used during the colonial period to go to and from Williamsburg.  Over many years the wear and tear of horse, wagon, and foot traffic dug into the earth to create the banks." - Richmond Times Dispatch

In 0.4 miles pass through a high power Line clearing, and then in about 600 feet come to an intersection with blue blazes, go left onto the blue blazed trail . Go 0.1 miles and take a right at the next intersection, also blue and will lead you to the blue loop trail. The intersection for the blue loop trail will be in 0.2 miles. turn right, the grave of Captain John Long will be on your left in 0.4 miles, with the only overlook on the whole trail is about 0.2 miles past the grave site. Not the greatest view as you will be looking to the North-east towards West Point with its wood factory. The confluence of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers forms the York River at West Point. It flows for 40 miles until it reaches the Chesapeake Bay.

Continue on the trail for 0.1 miles reaching the start of the blue loop trail intersection and bear to the right. In 0.2 miles you will cross the high power clearing again. Just after the clearing you will come to an intersection with a bike/parking sign pointing to the left, ignore it and go straight on the yellow blazed trail (OK, mostly yellow with some white!!).  Ignore the next 2 intersections which have the same bike/parking sign pointing to the left, stay straight and keep bearing to the right. The parking area will be in 0.3 miles from the last intersection.

Final Note: We did our best with these directions and we hope you don’t get lost. We didn’t put up the kaleidoscope of blazes. It’s not a big park so if you do get lost just listen for the cars on Route 33. I read in one blog that some of the problems with the markings are due to the way the Chesapeake Corporation marked it and then when the County took it over they came up with a different way.

Late January
       
           
Wahrani Nature Trail Hike Comments
Archived Comments


By: 369ELF Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, October 12, 2019
We have hiked this trail for years now and the recent improvements to signage is great and there are always maps in the new Trail map boards along the way. When we walk the entire outer loop of all the trails combined it is right at 4miles. We hike with a toddler in a pack and she loves to stop and explore the streams, tossing leaves and twigs in and watching them float under the little bridges to the other side. Becoming a true hidden gem in the community.

By: Stacey Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, July 20, 2019
We did this hike with our three dogs. Not alot to see, but still a good hike. Some spots were a little overgrown. Don't sit down anywhere. The red bugs(even on the trail) are bad!! Might try this one again in the fall.

By: Barb S Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, February 11, 2018
Enjoyed the green loop hike which is about 1 1/2 miles. Happy to see plenty of maps in the kisok and new trail marker stakes waiting for spring for installation. I have seen continuing improvements over the years.

By: Emily Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, September 10, 2017
Thought this trail system could use a current review. Stopped in today after passing many times and had a great long walk with my dog. Walked all of the trail loops, which were easy to follow. Several trailside information kiosks were nestled way back into the woods, each stocked with maps. Pay attention to tree blazes and markers. At some points it can be a smidge confusing, but the combo of consistant signage and blazes makes this very easy. Also, snag a map haha. Stopped by the creek and made coffee, can't wait to come back to ride my mountain bike. Great hike, welll mapped, beautiful pine fells and Creek.

By: Discouraging day hike Rating: Date of Hike: Tuesday, November 4, 2014
I took my two kids. We found many problems with this trail from the very beginning. My major complaint is two different types of signing. The parking signage was helpful but dropped off. If looking for a kid friendly trail I would not visit this location.

By: Julia Tye Rating: Date of Hike: Monday, June 30, 2014
Ticks, ticks and more ticks. Found at least 15 on me, and quite a few on the dog. Maybe June isn't the best time for this hike. Also, very poorly marked, and what's there is confusing.

By: Charlie Meade Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, September 15, 2013

First time on the trail and assumed that the trails would be well and clearly marked.  That was not the case.  I made the mistake of starting in the afternoon and thought I might end up spending the night before I found my way back.  As in the above article I followed the sounds of traffic so I was never seriously worried, but if it's your first time, do it in the morning!


By: John Anderson Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, June 12, 2011
My 3 kids and I really enjoyed this trail! It's family friendly and the geo cache's are lot's of fun.

By: Bent Pole Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, March 20, 2011
Very confusing blazes.  We even had the maps with us and got confused.  We did not have the HU instructions, which might have helped.  We followed an unmarked trail just for fun and ended up at the jail.  Whoops.  Ran across a sign later warning that the nature trail is next to a hunting preserve.  So in retrospect, walking on an unmarked trail was a bad idea.  We ran out of time and didn't get to go to the blue blaze trail with the cemetery.

All that aside, this was a delightful little hike close to home for us.  It was my 19-month-old's first woods hike and it was absolutely perfect for him.  Lots of streams and some varied but easy terrain, short and sweet.  There is a nice little playground, too.

By: Robert Rating: Date of Hike: Monday, March 7, 2011
I decided on the spur of the moment to hike this trail.  While I did have a good time, I found myself confused by the blazes and a dead end trail.  Some nice bottoms and creeks to view along the way but nothing spectacular. Take some time and study the map, and better yet take one with you.

    View all 13 archived reviews for the Wahrani Nature Trail hike
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