In early January of 2025, Albemarle County teamed up with civil engineering company Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. to create the Three Notched Trail Shared-Use Path, a 25-mile-long path for walkers and bikers to share. It connects Crozet, Ivy,  Blue Ridge Tunnel, and the western edge of Charlottesville and parallels the historic Three Notched Road. The purpose of this trail is to “connect residents and visitors to education, employment, and recreational opportunities in Albemarle and Nelson Counties as well as Charlottesville City”  according to Jessica Hersh-Ballering, Albemarle County principal planner as well as provide non-polluting transportation, and have a positive impact on the community. 

The plan was made possible by a federal grant of $2 million. Construction starts in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 22 months. The planning window includes opportunities for community input through public meetings, surveys, and pop-up events. You can find them on their website: https://www.threenotchedtrail.com/. 

According to their website, the Three Notched Trail will hopefully be part of the Mountains to Sea Trail System, which connects the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. The whole system is to be about 200 miles long.

The Three-Notched Trail has an extensive Virginia history. It was named after the historic road that extended from Richmond to Shenandoah Valley in Colonial times. The trail is marked by its historic three hatches or “notches,” hence the name. This project hopes to re-establish the original sections of the trail. 

This trail will reduce traffic on Route 250 and surrounding business routes. A 2009 study in California showed that 60% of the population would bike more often if they had a safe biking location. People would also be able to walk in nature and unplug from the technological world. 

This is an exciting project for the future. Hopefully, we will start to see more of the Charlottesville community out walking and biking, taking in the fresh air. For more information, see their website https://www.threenotchedtrail.com/.