Hike the Paw Path and Dick & Willie Trail- Feb FSO
February 7, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join the Dan River Basin Association for an approximately 3.5 mile hike on the Paw Path and the Dick & Willie Passage Trail (D&W) starting from the river access at the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton, VA (Henry County) for DRBA’s First Saturday Outing (FSO) on February 7, 2026 at 10 am. This hike is a moderate out and back, first on the natural surface Paw Path from the river access to the paved D&W along the Smith River and Mulberry Creek. Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
The Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC) is a 90-acre multi-use facility developed by the Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority to serve the community and also boost local tourism and the economy with diverse sports. As well as sports fields, it offers a golfing range, a river access, fishing decks, picnic tables, a festival field with a stage, natural surface trails and a connection to the Dick and Willie Passage Trail (D&W). The SRSC officially merged with Henry County Parks and Recreation in 2023.
Photo provided by Visit Martinsville.
About the Hike:
We will park in the river access area then start our walk on the Paw Path, a natural surface trail that was designed with dogs in mind. It is mostly flat, 0.5 miles long and runs alongside the Smith River. It features many engaging canine activities such as a fire hydrant and a balance beam. Along this path we will pass the Paw Park, a members only, fenced, off-leash dog park offering a natural wooded trail for dogs to explore. Also along the Paw Path we will see a collaborative conservation project by the Martinsville & Garden Study Clubs featuring the trail lined with native plants (over 300 plants from 50 species) to support pollinators, with educational signage, insect hotels, and birdhouses built by students. At the end of the Paw Path we will access the D&W.
About the Dick and Willie Trail:
The D&W is a paved trail winding through the City of Martinsville and Henry County. The original 4.5 mile portion from Virginia Avenue to Mulberry Creek Overlook opened in 2010. Since then 2 additional phases have been added to take the trail from Mulberry Creek Overlook to Spruce Street and from there to the SRSC to make it a total of 10.7 miles long. The portion we will walk will start from the end of the Paw Path, follow the Smith River and Mulberry Creek to the Country Club Drive Trailhead and back. It is mostly flat along the Smith River, then a few short hills as it turns to follow Mulberry Creek. On the D&W you will see a mix of natural beauty - the beautiful Smith River, lush forest scenery, wildlife such as deer, birds, and turtles, wildflowers, benches, and a generally peaceful, paved path perfect for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors.
“Since I don’t own a dog, I walk the Paw Path to enjoy the native plants. I also walk this section of the D&W regularly and never tire of the beauty. In most places it is lined with trees making it a perfect temperature for walking, shady in the summertime but sunny in the winter when the leaves are off the trees,” says FSO coordinator, Ellen Jessee.
What to Expect:
Participants should dress in layers, wear hiking shoes or boots, and bring hiking stick(s), lunch, and water. All participants will be required to sign a wavier.
For more information, contact the outings coordinator Ellen Jessee, 276-734-1317, ejessee105@gmail.com
NOTE: If for any reason the event needs to be canceled, visit www.danriver.org by Friday, the day before the outing to determine whether the outing will be held.
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DIRECTIONS:
Smith River Sports Complex
1000 Irisburg Road
Axton, VA 24054
GPS: 36.633872, -79.824943
From the east traveling on Rt 58 take the Rt 58/220 Bypass west. From the north, south or west traveling on Rt 220 take the Rt 58/220 Bypass east. From the Bypass take Rt 650 Exit then turn onto Irisburg Road (left turn if coming from east, otherwise right turn).. Go quarter mile to the entrance of the Sports Complex and turn right onto Sportsplex Way. Turn left at the maintenance building and go downhill to park at the river access area. For those who prefer to stay on paved surfaces or have accessibility issues, you may continue straight and park in the paved parking lot near the sports fields and walk on the concrete walks through the complex to join the rest of the group at the D&W where the Paw Path joins the D&W next to the retention pond at the rear of the complex. Note: It will be downhill from the paved parking area to the D&W. There are restrooms in both the river access area and the sports fields area.
