Roanoke River Greenway — 30 Miles Through the Valley

The Roanoke River Greenway runs 30 miles of paved and unpaved trail through the city, following the river without crossing a major road. What began as a proposal in a 1907 comprehensive plan didn't become real until 1995, when an intergovernmental committee formed to plan and develop what is now considered the feature that makes Roanoke feel designed for residents, not commuters. The longest continuous stretch runs 12 miles along the Roanoke River from Salem through Roanoke City to Vinton. Roanoke County is planning to extend that stretch westward into Montgomery County. The greenway connects neighborhoods, parks, and the downtown market — the oldest continuously operating open-air market in Virginia, dating to 1882. Wasena Park and Vic Thomas Park are the most popular trailheads. This infrastructure traces to a formative shift in the city's identity. When Norfolk and Western Railway moved its headquarters out of Roanoke in 1982, the railroad that had built the city left. Manufacturing closures followed. In the 21st century, the development and increased marketing of outdoor amenities has helped reverse population decline. The greenway is part of that reversal — a 26-mile valley network that as of 2023 had grown to over 100 miles of trails and greenways citywide. Access is free year-round. Runners, cyclists, and walkers use it daily. The city has added 43 miles of marked bike lanes along major roads to supplement the network. What was imagined more than a century ago is now the way people move through Roanoke.