Osmanthus Trail Is An Easy One Hour Loop Trail In Virginia Beach

Isn’t it incredible how just a few minutes outside can change your entire perspective? Perhaps that’s why we’re so drawn to hiking trails. They inspire creativity, passion, and gratitude for the great outdoors. Today, we’ll introduce you to a beautiful trail in Virginia Beach’s First Landing State Park. It’s by no means a hidden gem; in fact, it’s a well-loved trail. Yet this secluded path will take you on a journey beyond ordinary life and into a world of lagoons, bald cypress trees, swamps, Spanish moss, and wildlife.

Here’s more on the easy one-hour Osmanthus Trail in Virginia Beach:

The Osmanthus Trail at First Landing State Park is the perfect candidate for those seeking a relatively flat, shaded trail that takes approximately one hour to complete.

Brittany N. / AllTrails

Of course, you’d be wise to allow yourself more time to admire the abundant natural beauty of this landscape. Visitors and travelers agree that this park is nothing short of an oasis.

Arthur Dworniczek / AllTrails The name of the trail is inspired by the presence of Osmanthus Trees, also known as Wild Olive Trees.

The park offers twenty miles of trails, many of which are interconnected so hikers can choose a route that suits them. The Osmanthus Trail is approximately three miles but can be connected with neighboring trails for a longer adventure.

Lisa Pinkerman / AllTrails

Exploring these low elevation bottomlands, hikers can look forward to spotting all sorts of wildlife, from red-bellied water snakes to woodpeckers, herons, egrets, and turtles.

lovingav / GettyImages

The swamps feel like a world of their own. Abundant in bald cypress trees, Spanish moss, and loblolly pines, this ecosystem is one of the most unique – and endangered – in all of Virginia.

Lori Takahashi / AllTrails

That’s why staying on the guided trail is especially important to the native wildlife.

Haylee Joyner / AllTrails

Along the way, you’ll find a few lookout areas where you can admire the unique swamp habitats. There are also a few benches on the trail for resting.

Daniel Cook / AllTrails

Catch the lighting at just the right hour and you’ll even experience the incredible phenomenon known as a “swamp rainbow.” This natural occurrence happens due to oils released by decaying vegetation.

Karen Wilburn / AllTrails

So whether you have just an hour or an entire afternoon to spend at First Landing State Park, you’ll love the opportunity to explore this pristine world.

Angela Pan / Wikicommons

What are some of your favorite places to explore in Virginia Beach? Have you visited First Landing State Park? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experiences there!

Brittany N. / AllTrails

Arthur Dworniczek / AllTrails

The name of the trail is inspired by the presence of Osmanthus Trees, also known as Wild Olive Trees.