White Hill and Lake via First Landing State Park Trail

This easy, mostly-flat coastal-forest walk strings together some of First Landing State Park’s most varied habitats—shady maritime woods, sandy ridges, and the dark, still water of White Hill Lake—while staying close enough to Virginia Beach that you’re never far from help, water, or a quick exit. At around 11 km (6.8 mi) with roughly 0 m (0 ft) of total climbing, it’s ideal for a relaxed half-day hike, birding walk, or a low-effort outing when you still want real “back-in-the-woods” scenery.

Getting to the trailhead (car + public transport options)

Most reliable start point (main park entrance/visitor area): First Landing State Park, 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. (dcr.virginia.gov)
- By car: Drive to the main entrance on Shore Drive and follow signs for day-use/visitor areas. Arrive early on warm weekends—this is one of Virginia’s most visited parks. (outdoorproject.com)
- By public transport: Virginia Beach’s local bus network serves the Shore Drive corridor; from there, it’s typically a short rideshare or bike to the entrance depending on the stop. If you’re planning this, check your route in advance and build in extra time for weekend service gaps.

Alternate access often used for longer loops: the 64th Street neighborhood access (near the north end of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront area) connects into the park’s southern trail network. This can be handy if you’re staying near the Oceanfront and want to walk in, but the main Shore Drive entrance is the simplest “first-time” start.

What the route feels like underfoot (and how to pace it)

Expect a mix of packed sand, sandy singletrack, and wider multi-use paths. Even though the elevation gain is minimal, the sand can make sections feel slower than the distance suggests—plan your pace accordingly, especially if it’s hot or humid.

A practical way to think about the day: - 0–3 km (0–1.9 mi): Settling in on shaded trail through maritime forest—easy walking, lots of pine and oak canopy. - 3–6 km (1.9–3.7 mi): Transition into more open, sandy stretches and wetland edges; you’ll start noticing more birds and the “coastal plain” feel. - 6–8 km (3.7–5.0 mi): The highlight zone around White Hill Lake—slower, quieter, and great for wildlife watching. - 8–11 km (5.0–6.8 mi): Return leg through mixed habitat back toward your start, often with a slightly breezier feel as you near more open areas.

Use HiiKER to keep track of junctions—this park has a web of intersecting trails, and it’s easy to take an extra connector and accidentally add distance.

White Hill Lake + the best nature and wildlife moments

White Hill Lake is one of those coastal-plain lakes that can look almost black in certain light—still water, tannins, and surrounding vegetation create a calm, reflective scene. The lake area is also where you’re most likely to slow down for: - Birdlife: ospreys and other water-associated birds are common around wet areas and open water. - Reptiles/amphibians: warm months bring more activity near the water’s edge—watch where you step on narrow sandy tread. - Insects: mosquitoes and biting flies can be intense in humid weather or after rain, especially near marshy sections—bring repellent and consider long sleeves in summer.

The park is known for its varied habitats—tidal marshes, cypress swamp areas, dunes, and maritime forest—and this route gives you a sampler of that diversity without committing to a long or technical day. (visitvirginiabeach.com)

Landmarks and historical significance to look out for

You’re hiking in a place tied directly to one of the most-cited early events in English colonial history: the 1607 “first landing” of Virginia Company colonists in the Cape Henry area (April 26, 1607), before they continued on to establish Jamestown. The park’s modern name reflects that heritage (it was renamed from Seashore State Park in 1997). (dcr.virginia.gov)

Even if your loop