While Front Royal is known is an Appalachian Trail community, the AT isn’t the only trail in town. Currently, the Royal Shenandoah Greenway is a 4.5-mile trail looping around the town and there are several more trail projects in the works. (photo credits Chris Anderson)
Situated near the northern terminus of Shenandoah National Park and only a few miles from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT), Front Royal is no stranger to trails and public spaces, but pedestrian-friendly connections between the town and these recreational resources are limited.
Good news! The town has several projects in the works.
The community and localities have been working on a spur trail connecting the town to the AT, which skirts just around the town. When completed, the spur trail will provide a safe connection to the town and its businesses and lodging for AT hikers as well as provide a pedestrian route to the AT for Front Royal residents.
Also exciting is the proposed repurposing of the former Avtex industrial complex on the west side of town along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Once a booming fiber factory, Avtex was shut down in 1989 and then declared a superfund site making way for clean-up efforts to be completed.
Current designs for the site include forested plantings along the river and an approximately two-mile trail from the Eastham Park & Royal Shenandoah Greenway to Kendrick Lane and the surrounding neighborhoods.
“The proposed trail will be a great community asset—linking communities now separated, increasing access to the river, creating new local green spaces, providing additional recreational and healthier living opportunities, and even setting the stage for new economic opportunities.”
~ Joe Petty, Warren County Director of Economic Development
The town anticipates further expanding the trail to connect to the proposed Shenandoah Rail Trail, a 50-mile multi-use trail along the unused rail corridor from Front Royal to Broadway.