Pipeline Overlook — Attraction in Richmond

Well, my post isn't just of the 'overlook,' but of the pipeline trail itself....which is awesome! I've lived in VA since 1991 and never knew this exsisted until early 2017...and I've been back 3 times since. Found it while playing Pokemon Go...wad told that the 'flood wall' was a good place to find good pokemon...and, oh-what is this ladder going down to a walkway over a large pipe right beside the river?? PIPELINE TRAIL!! Do not recommend for small children or people with physical disability...I'm in my late 30's and climbing down the ladder at the floodwall, balance beaming over the part of the pipe that has NO HAND RAILS, and over all the roots and back up the hill onto the back part of Brown's Island had my knees screaming. But, when the river levels are low...it is so cool! My daughter was able to do it when 6 years old and again at 7....she had a blast checking out the rapids, fish, turtles, birds. The river views are spectacular. The overlook itself is ok...you see the river and some of the birds...sometimes turtles.....but just go walk more to the left behind the floodwall and take a chance on the weird, kinda creepy looking ladder down to what looks like a service...

The pipeline overlook is an interesting walk. There is parking nearby for $8 a day. You enter these large metal door as shown in the photos and you turn left. There is a sign that tells you a bit about the overlook. You have to go down a short metal ladder and then you can walk on a path that follows the pipeline which gives you a nice view. There is a small beach and folks swim and fish nearby. It's a charming way to escape from the city. The last piece of the walk had no railing but there is a nice small waterfall at the end. This walk is not great for invalids or small children. You would need to hold on to little ones. It's a short walk which is about 15 minutes long. Worth...

Find the entrance to the stairs just east of the overlook. Ignore the warning signs that say "danger falling objects from the tracks above can cause injury or death" and get ready for a great experience. You literally walk on top of an old pipeline for what seems like an absurdly long time and there are areas where it is over the water. There are rapids and all sorts of wonderful architecture and views. Theres a spot where it comes close to the ground and you can climb off it and walk to the shore and watch the Rapids go by. Further out the fence disappears and you just walk top of the pipe with nothing to hold onto. What a great...