To my surprise, this trail was found by accident as I had finished an errand in Herndon and needed a place to kill time and explore. This trail/park allows you to see the beautiful nature Northern VA offers with the trees, streams, trails, and surroundings of buildings and landscapes. It's a long trail and it intersects with the WO&D trail. Plenty of space and mileage to explore and perfect for biking/walking/jogging. Get those steps in! read more

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I love walking this easy trail with my dog and am so fortunate to have it located so close from home. There is plenty of shade and is great for bikers, runners, dog walkers and if you are looking for a simple trail to take your family to! There is also a really neat wall of painted rocks that the community has been contributing to which is awesome because we all get to add to one big piece of art! On a few of my walks here, I've seen deer, raccoons, and foxes so there is a pretty good chance you may spot some wildlife too. read more

*This* is why I decided to leave the Beltway. Okay, it is not really the reason. However, it is not to stretch the truth to suggest that when you leave the Beltway, you can really see Virginia's true colors. The streams, the wooded areas, the wildlife, the peacefulness and tranquility of this trail makes you forget that you are only roughly 20 miles away from Washington, DC. Thankfully, part of this trail literally runs behind my apartment. So I have decided to walk part of it as part of a daily routine. I enjoy it fully. It gives you enough of an exercise and some good thinking and it feels quite Emerson and Thoreau-like. There is going to be a day when I am going to see more than just squirrels and redbirds on the trail, but for now, I am content with it. The trail also eventually connects with the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) main trail, which is a 44 mile trail from Shirlington to Purcellville, VA. It was once a main railroad artery in the area, but converted into something called a "rail trail" - or a bike/walking/hiking/running path used for recreation. We should all be so lucky to have trails like this one. read more

Sugarland... I absolutely love the name. This trail is one of the best in the area. I parked at a Stuart Road Park. The Fairfax County page has detailed instructions on how to get from the park to the trail. The trail is about 10 miles long and it runs along the stream. All of the stream crossings are on columns. So, you have to be careful when crossing. The trail is wooded and paved. Certain areas of the trail are muddy. Even though I did like this trail very much, I wouldn't go by myself. It's pretty solitary and you will encounter wildlife. 4 stars. read more

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This is a beautiful, mostly shaded, well maintained trail. Replete with dozens of different flowers, trees and vines it is a wonder across all of the seasons. Fauna include squirrels (of course), turtles and fish in the stream and birds, birds, birds. The only down side is there are some people with borderline-behaved dogs and also some people who don't pick up after their dogs, but that is pretty minor compared to the splendor of the trail. Occasionally there are people riding VERY fast on their bicycles, but they are generally polite and usually warn when they are approaching from behind. read more

I have a sentimental attachment to the Runnymede Park stretch of the trail. I had a job interview at an office right along here. Instantly fell in love with this stretch of trail! My panelist mentioned how he and his wife bike to work using this, and enjoy the scenery on the way. So jealous, and kind of bummed that I got passed over for the job. Could've had some nice lunch picnics in spring/summer. read more

Parking is in a cul de sac of a neighborhood. Path is has many options for distance & the scenery is pretty. Trail is pretty clean also so dog walkers have been kind enough to pick up after their pups. I was expecting something spectacular though, i wouldnt drive another 40 mins to go out there read more

This park/trail is the reason I moved to Stuart Woods Apartments in Herndon. My apartment balcony overlooks the creek bed and the woods (and the boardwalk on the trail), and it is truly an oasis in the Herndon/Reston Metroplex. The trail is long and winding and connects the W & OD trail near the Reston Town Center with....I'm not even sure where the trail ends up, since it's so long. I've heard somewhere near route 7 in Sterling. Deer, foxes, herons, ducks, raccoons, skunks, turtles aplenty. Most dog walkers I've encountered do clean up after their dogs but I suppose there are some bad apples out there. And what's interesting is hardly anyone uses their cell phones in this park. Most people are walking alone, with their dogs, or kids, or significant others, and actually talking. There is cell phone reception in the park but it's interesting to note how disconnected so many appear to be from the Matrix when they walk through this park. One star held back for the trash. There is trash scattered around this park and it's disgusting, especially in the winter when the leaves are off the trees. Plastic bags, beer cans, beer bottles, Red Bull cans, more plastic bags, rubber gloves, one unused prophylactic, one soiled, trash trash trash.....I've written to the Fairfax County Park Board of Supervisors and they've assured me that a "work order" to clean the trash has been issued. Three weeks later - still waiting. It's hard to believe a county as wealthy as Fairfax cannot hire people to clean up the parks. The park is beautiful. The trash is a disgrace. read more

Great trail for your aesthetic pleasures! Came here for a photo shoot with a lovely expecting couple and the sun was mighty generous that day but since it was a fall day, the weather was pleasant. We parked our cars and headed down the trail which had fields of nettles and long golden overgrown marshes (ideal setting for portraits with the sun throwing golden shadows). Where the trail got thicker, the fall leaves were perfectly fallen on the ground (I am describing all this from a photographer's point of view so excuse my 'how to get a pinterest perfect picture moments). A little ahead we found ourselves amidst a stream with rocks which again provided a great setting for a couple picture. I was soo glad I wore my old sneaks that day because trying to balance on the rocks and then jumping over without looking down I kept getting them dirty. The trail is a little uneven near the water because of the rocks but quite fun. The couple who lived in the area told me that the trail is pretty long. All in all it was a fun way to spend my Sunday. read more

Great running and biking trail. Never crowded Good shade Diverse terrain. Very good in the winter. A little hard to find trailhead(s) read more

Literally just got back from this running trail. I have been searching and searching for a running trail near me and no luck. Then someone told me about the Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail and I was sold. So, today being a cold day (best days to run) I made my way to the trail. I parked my car and ran to the beginning of the Running Trail which is about 0.45 from where I parked. The whole trail is so wonderful, super easy and surrounded by big beautiful houses. 6.00 miles in the rain started to pour and I sadly had to run back, this is definitely my new favorite place to come for a nice jog. I am so excited!! read more

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There are two trails that people are talking about when reviewing Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail. In Runnymead Park there are earth trails that are (naturally enough) muddy when it rains. They are great for nature hikes and adventurous trail runners. Then there is an asphalt trail system which follows the stream *behind* Runnymead Park. This is the better of the trails for biking or running. The paved trail connects to the W&OD Trail as well as the Folly Lick Trail (on the other side of Dranesville Rd.) and also to the Fairfax County Parkway trail off a spur that runs up Wheile Avenue. You can easily do double-digit mileage trips on these trails without covering the same trail twice. My only complaint is that the trail system can be confusing. But recently trail maps have been posted at several trail intersections to help with this issue. read more

What a great Trail along the Sugarland Stream connecting with others - tucked away along the Reston / Herndon line. Quiet - great for jogs, cycling, long walks by yourself, your dog and even a romantic walk on a sunny spring day !! Its peaceful and simply great ! read more

I walk the Sugarland Run every time I'm in town. I'm often the only one on it, and I'm in the middle of a HUGE metro area. I pick my hotel because it's next to the run, and on the WO&D Trail. After a crazy day, there's nothing like a hike on the Sugarland Run. read more

This "trail" isn't really a trail but more of travel at your own risk. It was very muddy and unkept when I went 2 weeks ago.

it's a great path to walk/bike/run. be careful after heavy rain (can get very muddy in places) and when it's dark out. i see deer often. one thing that bugs me is the dog crap that owners leave behind- i've accidentally stepped in it on more than one occasion, and nothing grosses me out more (PSA: please pick up after your dog!!!). overall just a great piece of woodsy nature to have right next to my house. read more