On the Trail

The Sperryville River Trail was created in 2019 to make our village more walkable, more welcoming, and more connected. By linking different parts of Sperryville through safe and scenic paths, the Trail promotes community health, enjoyment of nature, and a stronger sense of place. The Trail also plays a vital role in preserving our natural heritage - especially along the Thornton River - while providing a beautiful setting for walking, exercise, and reflection.

The existing trail is widely used and appreciated by families, seniors, and residents alike, and it serves as a draw for visitors exploring Sperryville. Recent improvements — such as new stairs, railings, and benches — have increased accessibility and comfort for all trail users.

The Sperryville Community Alliance is committed to maintaining, enhancing, and expanding this network of walking trails in the Sperryville area. These trails are designed to enrich the experience of both residents and visitors, fostering a deeper connection to our village and its natural surroundings. To support this effort, we are seeking to create a dedicated fund to cover essential maintenance — such as mowing, trimming, tree and branch removal, and safety and accessibility upgrades — as well as future enhancements to the trail experience.

The Sperryville River Trail is more than a walking path — it is a promise of connection, of health, and of community and will be a gift to generations. If you share this vision, we invite you to be part of it by making a contribution to the Trail by clicking here to make an online donation.
Checks can be made out to and mailed to:

Sperryville Community Alliance
P.O. Box 63
Sperryville, Virginia 22740
Please note the check as for the dedicated fund.

Sperryville Community Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit with IRS tax ID: 83-4373808

Other Initiatives of the Sperryville Community Alliance

Release of the “Sperryville Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility Plan”

NEWS: January 25, 2025:
The Sperryville Community Alliance has released the “Sperryville Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility Plan” which is available in this website for everyone to read and then share questions and comments. Click this to find more details and a link to download the full plan.

Celebrate Sperryville!

Crossroads of the Piedmont.

Located in the southeast section of Rappahannock County, Virginia, along the Thornton River, Sperryville was laid out by Francis Thornton, Jr. in 1817 and established in 1820 when the first deed was recorded. For most of the early 19th century Conestoga wagons were built by John Kiger. By the 1850, Sperryville boasted two turnpikes: Thornton's Gap and Sperryville & Rappahannock. In the 1860s the Smoot family of Alexandria build a tannery on the Thornton River that closed by 1911. By that time Sperryville had grown to 350 residents with four churches, five general stores, one hotel, six mills, shops, and a masonic hall. The Sperryville Historic District is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Registry and the National Register of Historic Places.

Attractions

Sperryville is close to many outdoor activities. The town is at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and provides access to the panorama entrance of Shenandoah National Park that provides access to Skyline Drive, which is a continuation of the Blue Ridge Parkway of the Great Smoky Mountains. Hiking spots include the popular Old Rag Mountain, White Oak Canyon, and Thornton River Trail, which are all located within the Shenandoah National Park.

Today, Sperryville is home to wineries, breweries, a world class restaurant, important farms and numerous boutique shopping experiences.

The Copper Fox Distillery, a distiller of American whiskey, is based in Sperryville. Central Coffee Roasters, a small batch artisan coffee roaster, is located 1/2 mile west towards the Shenandoah National Park.