Eastern Shore Rail Trail Foundation

Eastern Shore Rail Trail Foundation Our mission is to plan, finance, promote, and maintain a multi-modal trail along the former Virginia Eastern Shore Railroad.

The future Eastern Shore Rail Trail (ESRT) will help promote healthy outdoor activities that attract visitors and newcomers to the Eastern Shore of Virginia peninsula. Our region offers natural, scenic views unique only to the Eastern Shore that are often best experienced by means of non-motorized transportation, such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more. The future ESRT will provide a sa

fe and accessible way for everyone to explore all the Eastern Shore has to offer. In addition to abundant and diverse local wildlife, you'll find breathtaking views of numerous wharfs and marinas, working waterfronts, historic lighthouses, Coast Guard Stations, sandy Chesapeake Bay beaches, pristine bayside shorelines, scenic creeks, tidal marshes, barrier islands, Atlantic Coast beaches, farm fields, vineyards, nurseries, and more! The Eastern Shore is rich in historical sites and landmarks, such as the former Eastern Shore Railroad corridor - the future site of the ESRT. The Eastern Shore is known for delicious seafood, oyster roasts, Chincoteague's Annual Pony Swim and Auction, Wallops Island NASA rocket launches, two National Wildlife Refuges, a National Park, State Parks, migratory bird nesting areas, art galleries, and... did we mention delicious seafood?

08/21/2026
The Cape Charles portion of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail is officially open!Thank you to everyone who joined us today at...
08/20/2026

The Cape Charles portion of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail is officially open!

Thank you to everyone who joined us today at the ribbon cutting, and to the public officials, project partners, community organizations, volunteers, and supporters who helped make this milestone possible.

The portion of the trail between Route 13 and Cheriton is expected to be complete around the first of September. We look forward to announcing its opening when that work is finished.

The first four miles of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail are officially open, connecting Cape Charles and Cheriton as work continues toward a planned 49-mile trail stretching to Hallwood.

We hope you will join us for the historic opening of the first section of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail. If we're lucky,...
08/10/2026

We hope you will join us for the historic opening of the first section of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail. If we're lucky, one of our speakers will be Peter Harnik, author of the Rails To Trails book, which was made into the Rails To Trails documentary film. Peter will have just returned from a trip and will come if he can.

The Eastern Shore Rail Trail project is planning the Melfa to Onley segment: a trailhead with a bus stop in Onley, 2 rig...
05/01/2026

The Eastern Shore Rail Trail project is planning the Melfa to Onley segment: a trailhead with a bus stop in Onley, 2 right-turn lanes on Route 13, and a pedestrian crossing at Route 13 & Parkway Road at the ESVA Chamber of Commerce. Robert Sabbatini, Director of the ESVA Chamber, told WBOC he envisions the Chamber as a hub for travelers on the trail to discover more of what the area has to offer. "They're going to walk right into a town and eat at a great restaurant, get some great seafood and really get to experience what I think is my favorite, Eastern Shore hospitality,” Sabbatini said.

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. - A portion of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail project between Melfa and Onley will include features to make travel safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Address

P. O. Box 41
Atlantic, VA
23303

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