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<\/strong><\/p>\nUpdated: March 2020<\/em><\/p>\n Martha Custis Trail<\/span><\/a><\/span> Alexandria Heritage Trail<\/a><\/span> Burke Lake Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail<\/span><\/a><\/span> Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail<\/span><\/a><\/span> Ellanor C. Lawrence Park<\/a> (Big Rocky Run Stream Valley Trail)<\/span> Fountainhead Regional Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Great Falls National Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Lake Accotink Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Mason Neck State Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Pohick Bay Regional Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Riverbend Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Town of Remington<\/span><\/a><\/span> Franklin Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail<\/span><\/a><\/span> Prince William Forest Park<\/span><\/a><\/span> Mount Vernon Trail<\/span><\/a><\/span>Arlington<\/h3>\n
\nA popular bicycle commuter trail, Martha Custis runs through Arlington parallel to Interstate 66. Connecting the W&OD trail to downtown Washington, it runs directly to the Key Bridge and connects to the Mount Vernon Trail, accessible to other entrances to the District. Housing a few moderate climbs and winding turns, it is not recommended for beginner-level riders. \/\/\u00a0Lee Highway and Lynn Street, Rosslyn<\/em><\/p>\nAlexandria<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>This 23-mile trail through historic Old Town Alexandria takes the rider past much of the town\u2019s historic landmarks. As part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, the trek is detailed in Pamela Cressey\u2019s \u201cWalk and Bike the Alexandria Heritage Trail: A Guide to Exploring a Virginia Town\u2019s Hidden Past.”<\/em><\/a> This guide is available at several bike rental shops throughout the city. For those seeking professional tips, bike tours are offered twice a year. While there are a few steep hills, the trail\u2019s largest challenge is its urban setting, as traffic can pose a danger. Portions of the trail are off-road, though the entire trail is paved and well designated, with sidewalks offering a respite at the more challenging portions. \/\/ 1323 Duke St., Alexandria<\/em><\/p>\nFairfax<\/h3>\n
\nA relatively flat 4.7-mile loop gravel trail circles Burke Lake and the bays jutting out from it, welcoming walkers, runners and bikers alike. The American Hiking Society\u2019s trail specialists rated it one of the 10 best metropolitan area fitness trails in the nation. \/\/\u00a07315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA 40-mile-long trail connects the entire county from one end to the other, beginning at Great Falls Park and extending south to the Occoquan River. Rich with stream valleys, this trail provides an organic experience in that it\u2019s maintained but not groomed, so bikers and runners can expect to find snow, mud and stone in places. Described as an \u201cAppalachian Trail-like experience” on the county website, it is open to hikers, joggers, equestrians, strollers and neighborhood dog walkers alike. Accessible to the Vienna and Franconia\/Springfield Metros by connector trails, as well as linked to the W&OD Trail, it provides an all-encompassing countywide experience. Highlights include the Sugarland Run and Cub Run Trails. \/\/ entry locations vary<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA flat but lengthy trail, Difficult Run travels 12 miles from Glade Drive in Reston to Great Falls National Park. Good for beginning to intermediate riders, it is a mix of single-track tails and dirt pathways that requite several crossings. \/\/ 8801 Georgetown Pike, McLean<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWalkers and joggers can enjoy approximately 4 miles of trails through upland and bottomland forest, as well as meadows with extensive views of wildlife. Bicycles are permitted on Walney Road and Big Rocky Run Stream Valley Trails, with the latter offering a paved 2-mile path ending at the Fairfax County Parkway. \/\/\u00a05040 Walney Road, Chantilly<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA nearly 8-mile mountain bike path is open, weather permitting, to bikers only. A fairly difficult course, it follows a series of cascading loops and is recommended for intermediate to advanced bikers. Separate trails include a 17.5-mile course for hikers and joggers from Fountainhead to Bull Run Park and a looping 2-mile horse trail, separate but at times overlapping. \/\/\u00a010875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA segment of the George Washington Memorial Parkway trail, Great Falls National Park is made up of 15 miles of hiking and running trails, five of which are shared with bikers and equestrians. These trails offer something for bikers of any level of experience. While the Ridge Trail is fairly steep and difficult, the others are mostly flat with level terrain. A National and Virginia Historic Landmark, the park offers gorgeous views of the falls and Potomac River. \/\/\u00a09200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA relatively flat biking and jogging trail circles Lake Accotink, with offshoots that include a 2.5-mile gravel path along Accotink Creek, as well as a 5-mile gravel trail connecting to Wakefield Park in Annandale. \/\/\u00a07500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA Virginia State Park, Mason Neck has 3 miles of unpaved hiking trails open to runners and 4 miles of multi-use paved trails for all. The paths are all considered easy except for the Eagle Spur Trail, which is moderately difficult given its longer distance and greater number of hills. Bike trails also connect it to Pohick Bay Regional Park. No horses allowed. \/\/\u00a07301 High Point Road, Lorton<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAlthough bicycles are permitted only on the 4-mile trail connecting the park to Mason Neck State Park, joggers can find a series of trails totaling 7 miles with some of the most difficult terrain in the county. Featuring steep and uneven trails, Pohick Bay\u2019s runners can expect a challenge amid views of wildlife including bluebird boxes. Four miles of trails are reserved for equestrians as well. \/\/\u00a07550 Reservation Drive, Springfield<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRiverbend contains 10 miles of unpaved multi-use trails open to hikers, jogger, bikers and equestrians, although certain portions are closed to bikers. The park\u2019s terrain is relatively flat; small hills are wide and well-marked. Also contains a segment of the Potomac Heritage Trail, as well as a path downriver connecting it to Great Falls National Park. \/\/\u00a07550 Reservation Drive, Springfield<\/em><\/p>\nFauquier<\/h3>\n
\nThe town of Remington now offers four marked biking routes, all rich with historical sites. See Civil War battlefields on the 11.7-mile Civil War Loop and a vast display of architecture on the 10-mile Tinpot Turn. The 28-mile Bealeton Loop winds around historic Elk Marsh, and the Mountain View trail traverses 23.2 miles around the Rappahannock and Hazel Rivers. \/\/ entry locations vary<\/em><\/p>\nLoudoun<\/h3>\n
\nPopular with high school cross-country teams, the park has two perimeter trails totaling around 3.5 miles. While the inner trail is used primarily by equestrians, the outer is open to bikers, joggers and walkers. Terrain is hilly and recommended for intermediate runners and bikers. \/\/\u00a017501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDesignated as a National Recreation Trail, the trail in its entirety runs 830 miles from the Northern Virginia region to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Fifteen miles of the trail run from Seneca Rocks on the Fairfax County border to Keep Loudoun Beautiful Park on Goose Creek. \/\/ entry locations vary<\/em><\/p>\nPrince William<\/h3>\n
\nThis national park offers over 12 miles of paved roads and 9.2 miles of gravel roads for bikers of all levers. Three miles of Scenic Drive are a dedicated bike lane that\u2019s relatively flat and recommended for beginners or families. More experienced mountain bikers can use any of the park\u2019s 10 fire roads for off-road biking. Bike maps are available at the visitors center. \/\/\u00a08100 Park Headquarters Road, Triangle<\/em><\/p>\nCross-County Trails<\/h3>\n
\nJust over 18 miles long, the trail runs alongside the Potomac River from Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island in Rosslyn. This local favorite offers views of Old Town Alexandria, the Navy Marine Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Entirely paved and fairly flat, there are few large challenges; only one large climb exists near Mount Vernon. Other views include the Washington Skyline, Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove and Gravelly Point. \/\/ entry locations vary<\/em><\/p>\n