This is one of the major access points to the W&OD Trail in the Town of Vienna. Plenty of parking provided. Lots of cyclists, runners, walkers hopping on the trail here. Perfect meeting point to meet friends. Also, well lit in the evenings. read more

Washington & Old Dominion Trail - Public parking next to the trail. - Hiking Near Me - Ashburn, Virginia

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A nice area to hike or bike. The W&OD is a gem. This spot especially, because if you travel west bound, it's not as busy closer to the DC area. Less crossings on roads is safe. Definitely have had fun with the Cannondale here. Also have walked it, and most of the trail is flat. Only problem I see, is speeding bikers. Some think this trail is the Tour de France. It's not and a hazard to everyone. Weekends can be quite busy. My recommendation is go during a weekday. Here you can pound out some mileage, and stay physically fit. Lots of parking spots close to the trail. Get on your bike and take care of business! read more

Washington & Old Dominion Trail - Hiking Near Me - Ashburn, Virginia

One of the most fascinating trails you'll see in Northern VA. It's approximately 45 miles long From Purcellville to Arlington. There's all kinds of stops along the trail giving easy access from multiple posts along the rt 7 area. Biking, walking/running, and even horseback riding is allowed on here. Great way to get your steps in. I usually start in Leesburg @ Raflo Park and walk the 2.6-3 miles to the Ashburn area and then head back to Leesburg. Someday I'll try to go further to Reston if I have the time and energy. Best during the day instead of night. But you already knew that! read more

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Love it! Rode the trail from Reston to DC (took a couple other connecting trails) and back on day 1. On day 2 I rode from Reston to Leesburg and back. About 100 miles total. The trail was great, not perfect, but great. Lots of road crossings but none were unsafe as some website reviews claimed. 100% ride this trail if you get the chance. There is some elevation but nothing too hard. read more

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This trail is a haven for runners and bikers. It's next to the major roadways but still quite secluded. It can get crowded in the morning and afternoons, but usually resolves by noon/early evening. There are limited parking spots located throughout the duration of the trail, so be sure to get there early . . . or be lucky! read more

Washington & Old Dominion Trail - Hiking Near Me - Ashburn, Virginia

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I went on a 45 mile ride today with my cousin on the W&OD. It's a Saturday. As always, there was a diversity of users: Walkers, strollers, people with dogs, people pushing strollers, runners and the weekend Lance Armstrong wannabes. These are the playground bullies of the W&OD, who think the trail was made for them and hold contempt for everyone else, which is apparent from their behavior. The trail is two lanes wide, expanding to three lanes in Falls Church briefly. Rather than slowing down and waiting for an opportune time to pass a fellow trail user, these wannabes have a common practice of making a third lane down the yellow line, putting everyone near them at risk, young and old. In a past ride, one of them, hit my mirror and took it off. Today my cousin was passing someone and one of these self-important cyclists came up behind her and said to her, "I don't have all day" because apparently she wasn't going fast enough for his liking. The sad fact is that this bullying is common and well known about W&OD. Further, there is no protection from this type of risky bike behavior and no enforcement of safe practices. You're on your own. It's almost comical to see these people take themselves so seriously. They are on a northern Virginia bike path not in France. Families are on the trail. Elderly folks enjoying the day. It's a freaking Saturday and crowded. Go somewhere else if you want racing speed. read more

Virginia has some impressive trails. The WOD trail is not exception. It is a 45 mile paved trail. You can cycle, run, walk or skate. The section I walked/jogged was in Ashburn, near the Trailside Park. This area allows horseback riding. And yes, I saw some horses. A lot of people complain that it is not very scenic. The portion I walked, runs behind some very impressive houses, and once in a while there is a pond. Sometimes long trails can feel creepy, but there was always people exercising on the trail, at least in the mornings. I never felt alone. 5 stars! read more

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Whenever I get the chance, I walk part of the trail almost daily. For me, it is roughly 4 miles each way because I also walk 2 miles of the Sugarland Run trail in Herndon. The portion I often walk is from the Sugarland Run (near VA 286 - Fairfax County Parkway) out where Lynn Street and Elden Street meet in Herndon, but I have also been out as far as Reston walking this beast. Most people that use the trail are runners and cyclists, though it is not uncommon to see families with small children and commuters using it as several businesses and offices are nearby so if you feel like not driving to work that way, there are other, greener options to use if you feel up to it. The trail is very safe and very well maintained. I do not recommend using it after dark simply because unless you are cyclist with lights it can be somewhat difficult to navigate. You also do not want to run across a turtle, deer, beaver, or fox en route. Just respect the wildlife and they will respect you in turn. For those sitting around bored, this is a great way to get out and see nature. The power of walking does absolute wonders. read more

This is a great trail that is very safe for biking and walking that extends from Leesburg west to Purceville VA ( very shaded and beautiful) and east all the way to Washington DC. Simply amazing and one of the most wonderful gifts to our community. read more

This is a public/private partnership that started with Dominion Virginia Power and the state. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) administers and maintains the park and its trails. NVRPA keeps most of the parkland surrounding the trails in a natural state. The park authority has placed mile markers and exhibits that describes some of the history. If you ride a bike, go during the week or early on the weekend; otherwise you'll be dodging the roller blader's, M & D with the kids & critters in tow and the dog walkers. Be careful for the semi-pro speed race biker wanna be's who run in packs up to 20 or more and two abreast and think they own the trail. Rarely will you get an 'on the left' warning. That said, My favorite part of this park is either starting at Dulles off Pacific Blvd and riding to Leesburg and back which is about 21 miles. Or starting in Leesburg near at Raflo Park at Harrisonburg St SE and riding to Purcellville and back. which is about 22 miles round trip. In the morning you'll see all kinds of critters; bunnies, squirrels, snakes, deer and all types of birds. These two rides will allow you steady riding with very few intersections and less congestion. A great stop over place in Leesburg is the Lightfoot where the have outside tables and plenty bike racks. In Purcellville, I like the patio at Magnolias at the Mill which is Trails End. read more

Washington & Old Dominion Trail - @ Dulles entrance off Pacific Blvd. 9/10/16 - Hiking Near Me - Ashburn, Virginia

It's probably stupid of me to do it... but Friday night was absolutely perfect for a jog along the W&OD after sunset. The air still had the smell of fresh rain on it, and the stretch of trail that I was on was heavily scented with something floral and fragrant. Lilac? Lavender? The path is well-maintained enough that even in the dim lighting, I didn't have to worry about holes or divots. It must also be ever-so-slightly banked, given I encountered one visible puddle of water in the ~2 mile stretch I trod. On the flip side, I'm also well aware of just how dangerous this particular trail can be, having responded to at least two accidents during my stint as an EMT out in LoCo. Not simple ankle sprains, either - I'm talking full head-on collisions between bikers, requiring a trip to the hospital. Backing an ambulance onto this trail, even as nicely as it's paved... is so -not- fun. For what it's worth, I'm glad to have ready access to the W&OD; although there's not much in my backyard, having this run right along the edge of my property gives me just a smidge more incentive to train toward that triathlon relay looming in the not-too-distant future. Now if I could just get a certain someone to aim a gun at me to notch up my motivation... P.S. Why am I not surprised that Sam R snagged this FTR? :p read more

This trail is one of the very few reasons I sometimes miss the WMA. This trail is a few times longer than Manhattan, and it's hard to get a nice long ride in NYC. This trail can get boring sometimes, but this is how you build up your patience, endurance, and mental strength. It's just straight, and relatively flat, and not much else out here. Be careful for the occasional deer, squirrel, or bees that are looking to attack you. I've been stung before. I've biked the whole length of this before (back and forth), and I've skated about 50 miles on this before from Reston to Shirlington. In fact, when I was living in VA, I deliberately picked my apartments based on the proximity of this bike trail. I've lived in Reston, Falls Church, and a few different places in Arlington. This path used to be covered in trees, but Dominion cut most of them down to improve service. I can't say I blame them, people may whine and moan about losing shade, but I think they would think differently if a windstorm knocked over trees and took power lines down with them. There's also some graveled road that runs along side this trail in the Reston/Vienna area if you want to do some "off road" running. It's better for your knees. Oh, another tip, get a bell. I got one after years of yelling, "on your left". I realized people get startled and they move left instead of standing still. A nice little ding, and they give a wave instead. read more

I am a big fan of the W & OD, a 45 mile asphalt paved path that runs between Shrlington & Purcellville, VA that accommodates running, biking, roller blading & even horseback riding along it's 32 mile gravel path. I just recently explored the section between Ashburn & Leesburg, setting out at approximately the 28.5 mile marker in Ashburn at Trailside Park. There was quite a bit of new neighborhood construction along the trail when just starting off with lots of dust that made me grateful I was whizzing by on my bike & not running! Points of interest along the way was Luck Stone Quarry at the 29.5 mile marker (Don John located trail side as well) & Two Creeks Mountain Bike Trail intersected at mile marker 30. Beware of the very sharp turns as you pass under Route 15 at mile marker 33. From here you enter into the Town of Leesburg with many pit stop options for food, breweries & even a bike shop at approximately the 34.5 mile marker. As much as I love the workout & a challenge, I have to say heading back towards Ashburn was a breeze with the slight descending trail elevation. The perfect ending to our adventure! read more

The Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park (aka W&OD or WOD) is probably the longest, skinniest park you'll ever visit. At just 100 feet wide it stretches 45 miles from Shirlington, VA in the east to Purcellville, VA in the west. As a Rail-to-Trails project, it 's a mostly flat, paved trail that is perfect for bicycling, inline skating and hiking. As you head west, you'll discover 32 miles of gravel trail for horseback riding. The W&OD is one of my top "Go-To" spots for a bike ride. The trail provides a great break from the frenetic roads inside (and outside) the DC Beltway. The W&OD connects with several other bike trails (Four Mile Run Trail, Custis Trail) making it a great way to get around. It's definitely a popular commuter route. During the morning and evening commutes, you'll find as many folks in suits and ties as in the multi-colored lycra of competitive cyclists. WARING: It can get very crowded on weekends. There are stretches that will require lots of patience and braking. But the wide open areas make it all worth it. Get out there and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. For trail maps, check out Friends of the W&OD (http://www.wodfriends.org). read more

Washington & Old Dominion Trail - Hiking Near Me - Ashburn, Virginia

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I've worked in the area for 4 years now and didn't know this ran right by my work place until about August 2015.. How convenient is that? I'll have to start checking in now when I hit this trail. I sometimes take light 2 mile jog during my lunch break. approx 45 min and then some cool down. It intersects with Sterling Blvd and runs back near my office park. I happened to notice it was on Yelp when I reviewed Thai Thai. (also next to the trail). Also Beltway Brewery is just a hop off the trail as well. I've never had any issues with safety but always best to be alert. Enjoy. read more

Washington & Old Dominion Trail - @ S Sterling blvd - Hiking Near Me - Ashburn, Virginia

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Love the W&OD trail and have biked on it from start to finish - not in one go though. Road surface is generally very good and there are plenty of water fountains that actually work! Trash is very minimal too and that is a testament to people who use this trail. I use the trail for work and pleasure - bike to work 3 times a week and often run on the trail on other days. read more

I run on this trail almost everyday near Reston towards Herndon (2-4 miles) and I must say this is probably one of the best trails I have ever been on. Tons of space for bikers on the path and there's a dirt path parallel for mountain bikers and hikers. Only downside is the lack of communication from bikers to runners/walkers. A simple "on your left" or a bell ring is all we ask when you pass. Flying by at 10-15 mph and almost hitting someone without warning is messed up on so many levels. There should be more signs that say you need to communicate. There isn't any areas off the trail for little ones to play at least near Reston. read more

Nice for a leisurely stroll full of dodging white people riding all manner of semi motorized bikes, skateboards and scooters. They fly up behind you then scream, "LEFT" when they are about a foot behind you so you shit your pants thinking you are being run over. Why are bike riders always such assholes!? The ones not on apparatuses, are walking vicious, rabid, man eating suburb hounds the size of a small bus. Don't get me started on the squealing little ankle bitters running amok and shitting on everywhere. Why did I take a job in the suburbs!? read more

Zippy reviews for one of the best trails in the Mid-Atlantic? We're slippin people! Those of you stuck in Dilbert Land who pine for the end of the day or work week to get outside should get on the trail. Weekend warriors should already know about it. Just don't go when I'm there -- it gets comically CROWDED sometimes, especially on those nicer weekends! This is a shared trail, meaning you'll likely encounter all kinds ... bikers, runners, walkers, rollerbladers, couples strolling, bird watchers, equestrians, hell even the occasional homeless drunk clutching a bottle of Mad Dog. Yes, the trail holds no prejudice against anyone that wants to enjoy the outdoors. The trail itself is 45 miles long - running from Shirlington to Purceville. Several trails intersect with the W&OD, so if you want to jump on the C&O or Custis, all are available. There is also plenty of parking and trail heads that you allow you to jump on the trail at different points (yeah, nobody expects you to go 45 miles back and forth in one stretch Rambo). Probably the best part of the trail is that you can jump off at various stops along the way ... Reston Town Center, Georgetown, Historic Leesburg ... more then you could do in a day. Stop, grab lunch and a drink or three, and then jump back on the trail to burn off the calories. Life is good. P.S. Remember when I said shared trail? Bikers keep that in mind and don't be a Richard and make sure to call out when you're about to pass someone (e.g. "passing on your left"). Cause I really don't feel like giving CPR to the 84 year old women you just scared out of her Depends and had a heart attack cause you're trying to be the next Lance Armstrong. read more

There are rare moments when I am suddenly struck with the urge to bike 30- 40 miles at a time. When that happens, I hit the W&OD trail. To forewarn you, the W&OD trail is usually rampant with families that take up both lanes or children on tricycles, but only on weekends. Don't let that dissuade you though! The W&OD is mostly flat (with the occasional hill or two) which makes for a leisurely, enjoyable ride. Most, if not all, of the bikers are respectful and are sure to yell "on the left!" when passing. The W&OD is also relatively well-maintained, both road-wise and landscape-wise (I have yet to get hit in the face by a hanging tree branches while on the trail). As with any long bike ride, make sure you have everything you need in case you get 1) thirsty or 2) a flat. Although the trail snakes through a few towns (Sterling, Arlington, Vienna, Leesburg), they're pretty far apart, so being prepared for the worst is key. read more

I was in town for a few days, rented a Trek 1.5 road bike from Get Out & Go Tours and hopped on this trail at Pacific Blvd just north of some car dealerships, Wegmans and Waxpool Rd. Terrific trail head parking and access to this wonderful W&OD trail. I had a great ride west into the sunset. Straight out and back. All paved and well maintained. Not much elevation change or big curves to worry about and the street crossings were well marked and drivers were all stopping right away. Very scenic and very fun. My thanks to all the rails-to-trails supporters and organizations that make this trail possible. It's a real gem. read more

Love this 44 mile rail-to-trail from Shirlington, VA to Purceville, VA. Goes through Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Leesburg, to Purceville. There are parking areas all long the trail. Check out "Friends of W&OD Trail" website...excellent. For rides, I break up the W&OD into a few sections of about 25 miles (12.5 there and back). Leesburg to Purceville is the most beautiful stretch. For some reason, I feel like I am always slightly going up hill on the path no matter where I am!!! Beware...road bikers can be obnoxious on this trail. read more

Wow. What an incredible ride! This trail has me hooked on cycling. Now I just have to find something similar here in SoCal. The ride was absolutely beautiful, and the trail is very well maintained. Considering how busy the trail was on a weekday, I can only imagine how crazy it must get on the weekends. My only complaint would be the cyclists who can't bother with an "on your left" as they whiz past. Not cool. Scared the daylights out of me a few times. Guess it's time to invest in a side-view mirror so I have some warning. read more

The W&OD is pretty close to my house and part of my means of getting to work. I've been riding it for about three years, and although it can get routine sometimes, it's never boring. Like everyone else says, there is a huge mix of trail users, and yes, when the trail is pretty open, I like to ride fast. The spring and summer are the worst for congestion, and there are a few blind curves that you need to be careful of, but it can provide for an easy weekend ride, a relaxed commute to work, or a good endurance ride. Be aware that there are no lights west of Benjamin Banneker Park in Falls Church City, and it can get really dark out there at night. Most cyclists on the trail use lights, and if you're a runner, I suggest getting some lights as well, white shirts and shorts are not enough, reflective vests works mostly for car lights, and black clothing blends in completely. There are also occasional trail updates at http://wandodtrailreport.blogspot.com/ read more

Awesome little bike trail (can be used for running, walking, commuting, roller skating etc.). This is one of the few well maintained trails in the area, it goes on for miles and is super flat. On weekdays you can really get some speed and fly! There are a few triathlon or bike teams that use this route but mostly I have the place to myself. But, I never go out on weekends (I have heard it is super busy). Great trail, super flat, awesome to bike on. It does get a little monotonous after a while but then I lift my head up and realize that in one mile I'm biking past cows and the next mile I'm going through a golf course and after that I hit some city life. read more

Great and picturesque trail. I have ridden a couple of times with friends from Leesburg, VA and the people always seem very nice. read more

I love this park! I have used many sections of it, though because I live in Leesburg that is the part that I frequent the most now, though I used to walk/jog the section from Sterling to Ashburn when my daughter was in gymnastics class, and when we lived in Ashburn we'd frequently use the section that was close to our house then. Now that I am in Leesburg, I will walk to breakfast, dinner, the store - I actually skip the car and use the trail sometimes. Using the trail, it's only 1.5 miles to the groomer - so I can walk my dogs there, run back... and later reverse the trip. The trail has stretching posts, trash cans, water fountains (even doggie water fountains), signs with interesting factoids, some cool scenery and even areas where there is a "soft" trail (not paved) beside the paved. I think this is for horses, but it allows dog walkers to get out of the way of cyclists and it allows runners to choose a path that is not so hard on their joints. I see joggers, walkers, dog walkers, horse riders, and cyclists just about every day. I probably use this trail an average of 3 days a week year round. read more

Love the trail! Easy access, plentiful parking, often shady, very safe and well maintained.

Okay, all of the reviews I read of the trail are from bicycle riders. I'm a runner, and this is where I go for my long runs when I'm marathon training. On weekends there are bike races, foot races, hikers, strollers, dog walkers and more. But with the exception of the one time I was nearly blindsided by a biker passing on my right (and I was almost hugging the edge at the time!), I've not had any real problems. There are water fountains (not functioning in the winter) on stretches of the trail, which can be a godsend on hot, summer days. While mostly flat, there are some hills and dips, and the scenery in places is fabulous! The occasional Port-a-John can be handy, and Carolina Brothers Barbecue in Ashburn is well worth a rest stop. Since most of the local high schools do not let non-students use their tracks for training, the W&OD is the best choice. It also helps that the trail is marked every half mile, so it's easy to keep track of distances. read more

This trail has a lot of potential, but as a pedestrian (sometimes with my dog) I find it dangerous because of all the bicyclists who ride at VERY high rates of speed and rarely give warning that they're passing you. My dog has very nearly been hit by bikes on this route because of some cyclist who comes flying by at 20mph and doesn't give a warning. It's a MULTI-USE TRAIL, people. Learn to share. That means you, bicyclists. It's absolutely crazy on weekends - expect to see whole families, kids on bikes, dogs, horses, walkers, 18,000 runners. It's the place to be. Just be careful because of the crazy bikers. read more

I've spent at least a thousand miles of my life on this paved piece of happiness between Purcellville and Shirlington. The surface is currently in excellent shape. Several sections have been recently repaved. Pros: If you're coming eastbound it can be faster biking this trail to get to Arlington or DC than driving on 66. Except at mile 38 crossing the mountain there are no serious grade hills to contend with. Weekdays between 10-4 the trail is pretty vacant in most spots. Plenty of Metro connections from Dun Loring through Falls Church. Connects to both the Four Mile Run and Custis Trails for easy access to Del Ray, Old Town, Rosslyn, and Georgetown. Cons: Packed on Saturdays and Sundays, often with clumps of fully costumed cyclists who oddly don't ride nearly as fast as me. Little kids-Mothers are you nuts? You don't bring a 4 year old on a trail populated by people like me who enjoy blowing by you at 20 mph. Scenery-West of Leesburg is bucolic and lovely. Little else is. The area around Glen Carlyn Park in Arlington is surprisingly rustic though. read more

The W & OD trail runs from Arlington all the way to Purceville VA. I have biked the trail many times and my favorite runs are from Leesburg up the hill to Purceville and the return. Hunter Mill to Vienna and back. You can pick up the trail easily from most areas since there are many feeder trails or convenient parking lots nearby. There are many interesting spots along the trail if you care to explore them. If you are serious biker the trail is paved and suitable for road bikes. My most memorable times on the trail were are at night. I used to ride the trail twice a week from Reston to Arlington for a college course. Hitting the Vienna stetch at night in the summer is thrilling and an experience you are not likely to forget. Pick a moon filled night and turn your lights off. It is surprisling how quickly your eyes will adjust to the low light conditions and you can actually see better than with the light on. I like this section because it is down hill and you can maintain a nice wind speed. Expect to see plenty of deer that will undoubtedly try and outrun you as well as a cocophony of insect and animal sounds you can not hear anywhere else in the mega suburban area. If you arrive at dusk you may be surprised to see a large selection of bats overhead eating all the insects that live in the grasses surrounding the trail. The most amazing thing about this ride at night however is the aromas. They change in certain sections along the path and are the most unusual I have ever encountered. Good luck and be safe read more

Interestingly, if your ride this trail, you travel through a crossection of the diversity of Northern Virginia suburbs. Staring in the semi-rural Purcellville, you see working farms, small old homes on large yards, and sprawling countryside mansions. As you pass through Leesburg you come upon planned communities Ashburn and Sterling with homes of varying enormity placed on lots significantly smaller than the house itself, as well as the original railroad towns they displace. Once you pass through old Herndon, you enter the Dulles Corridor. The tree have disappeared and so have the houses. Office buildings flank you on both sides as you pass office park after office park and the contrived mini-city of Reston Town Center. Tout d'un coup, the offices disappear as you pass under the Toll Road and enter the Difficult Run Valley. Houses are few as you pass through Oakton, though a few hillside manors peek through the trees as you make a slow climb up to Vienna. Crossing Maple Avenue take a bit of patience, after which you pass through a park and a few quiet neighbourhoods when you suddenly come upon the Beltway and 66. After this, the environment rapidly changes from local parks, to old neighbourhoods, to rapidly urbanizing business areas and housing blocks. The trail ends in the Shirlington part of Arlington a few block from the Mt. Vernon trail. For the most part, this trail flat and straight. Most bends are gradual and the only truly hilly parts are between Clarks Gap and Leesburg, Reston and Vienna, and 495 and 66. Riders are mostly spandex-clad roadies and cyclocommuters. Your bike will look out of place here if it is made out of anything heavier than aluminum or has an upright riding position. Riders go very, very fast on this trail, particularly west of Leesburg and in the Difficult Run valley. However, because it is mostly flanked by residential areas, this trail is very busy; traffic is particularly noticeable on weekends. Moving quickly is near impossible in more populated areas due to a high numbers of children, skateboarders, runners, and the occasional horse. All in all, a good ride. You can go very far in some places without a grade crossing and it's a far cry safer than a country road. read more

Best bike trail in the area right now. Winter months only the professionals are out there. The other seasons not so much. When the temperature is between 75-90F, half of the riders will be reckless ass clowns passing out unwanted cat calls about your bike light being on (like how can a battery operated flashlight hurt someone's eyes in broad daylight at 100 meters? OCD cray-cray) or saying something inappropriate to a woman, when she is just trying to exercise and enjoy the day. Sometimes you will also see a drunk driver in a car racing down the path so keep your attention focused. Other than that the trail is well paved and very scenic. Get up early enough in the day to avoid the cray-cray people and it's awesome fun and relaxing! Be mindful of the intersections with car traffic--very dangerous. read more

The Washington and Old Dominon Trail or WOD. Pretty awesome path, use it daily. I was trying to find you a link to the map that shows all the biking/walking paths in the DC/NoVA area and how to get to them from the W&OD, but in doing so I crashed my browser and lost my longer and funner review. dangit. read more

The W&OD Trail is an amazing initiative within Northern Virginia that turned a historic railroad's path into a multi-use trail. Horses, bikes, rollerblades, runners, etc are all welcome. (Motorized vehicles are not) I still to this day have not seen a horse and I'm kind of bummed :-/ History: In 1916 there were a total of 65 stations on the W&OD railroad, to include those at the beginning (Georgetown) and the end of the line (Bluemont). The first segment of the W&OD Trail was opened in 1974 within the City of Falls Church. This portion was built as the result of a special agreement with VEPCO under which the Regional Park Authority was allowed to judge whether a trail of this sort would prove to be popular. It did, and so, after the property was purchased, the trail was built in sections until its completion to Purcellville in 1988. Now the WO&D is 45 miles of asphalt trail and 32.5 miles of crushed stone and dirt bridle paths. In 1987, the W&OD was designated a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Along the trail, in some towns more than others, you'll find a lot of cool plaques and signage to mark historical places! Hours: The trail has official varying hours depending on your location. For example, the trail is open from 5:00am to 9:00pm from Shirlington in Arlington County, all the way to the western town limit of Herndon in Fairfax County. In other areas, the trail is only open during daylight hours. Running experience: This trail is incredible! I rarely see any trash/litter. The trashcans aren't abundant along the trail but they're strategically placed near parking lots. The trail has an excellent right lane travel policy which everyone respects. People regularly announce themselves / give audible warning when they're passing on your left. People usually move off the trail when they're stopped from my observation. In general the people of this Northern Virginia trail are really friendly! When crossing motorways there is an amazing amount of safety on this trail. Most crossings have a "call to signal" button that ACTUALLY do change a traffic light to allow you to cross. When there is a not a traffic signal there are many 4 way stops. When there's not a 4 way stop there's a clear "pedestrian cross way" that does ask any bikers/horseback riders to dismount before crossing (no one ever does this unfortunately). Paved and dirt trail is available for a decent portion of this trail. Safety: This trail is not lit. It is not patrolled by any police county that I know of. There is a group, however, called "Friends of the WOD" that do have a volunteer group to monitor the trail. If they've ever been out doing their patrols I didn't know. With all that said, there have been several areas of this trail that do not "feel" safe. There are long stretches between any entrance/exits to the main road that have dense shrubbery on either side of the trail. Some portions of the trail are better than others at providing a good 2-4 feet of clearance from the trail to the greenery. That makes all the difference as a solo runner when you want to make sure you can see/hear anyone approaching you. Whoever is in charge of maintaining the path's landscape does do a great job at making sure the greenery never overtakes the actual trail. Police: I DO WISH that in Fairfax's County jurisdiction the police did some daily horseback mounted police patrols. I would feel *1000%* better knowing that at any given time I may see a police officer. After any report of a sexual assault (and there have been more than a few unfortunately) police do increase (aka begin) patrolling the trail. I wish they could always do this - we do pay enough in taxes, right!? Animals: I've seen snakes, none poisonous so far, rabbits, bats, and birds. There is clear signage when you're entering an area that poisonous snakes reside. This trail is open to horseback riders and dogs on leashes. Most people are respectful of the leash rule, but when people don't have their dogs on their leashes from what I've observed it's because the dog is well trained and obedient. Animal waste bags are not provided :-/ but I never have to worry about running around it. I HAVE YET TO SEE A HORSE AND I'M REALLY BUMMED. Racing: Racing and competitive speed training are not allowed. Permission for footraces, however, may be obtained from the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, so have at it. read more

The W&OD is used by all types of trail users: runners, walkers, roller bladers, equestrians, and cyclists, to name a few. I'm a cyclist, and living in Leesburg, I typically ride the western-most end of the trail, where there are fewer street crossings and generally fewer trail users compared to the more populated Reston/Vienna/Falls Church areas. However I have cycled the trail from one end to the other, and it's a great outdoor resource. After work it's a great option to keep me out of rush hour traffic. The trail is generally flat with gentle railroad grades. However there are portions where the trail deviates from the original railbed, or earthen berms have been built, that result in slightly steeper sections. But these are usually short. The surface is generally good but some sections have been paved more recently than others. It's not unusual to hit a rough seam, and there are root heaves and pot holes in places. Portions of the trail have an unpaved bridle path paralleling the paved path. The bridle path often isn't in the railbed, but follows the lay of the land, making it hilly in places. Great places along the trail (western end): 1. Magnolia's at trails end in Purcellville. Great food and outdoor seating. Also Trails End Bike Shop, at trails end in Purcellville. 2. The BBQ place in Paeonion Springs. It's a short distance off the trail. Look for the sign. 3. The Triathlete shop on South King Street in Leesburg. It's a few steps off the trail and convenient for single serving drink mixes, gels and energy bars. 4. Restaurants in Leesburg too numerous to mention. 5. Partlow Brothers BBQ in Ashburn. Right on the trail. Don't let your guard down just because you are on a trail. I've had more close calls on the W&OD than on the roads, and I cycle the roads of Loudoun County all the time. Some things to do to stay safe: 1. Signal when passing - have a bell or yell out. Often other trail users are wearing ear buds, so you can't be shy when announcing your presence. I've had mulitple close calls when ear-bud wearing runners and walkers have made u-turns in front of me without looking. 2. Watch out for rude cyclists. These are the ones who think the trail is their own race track. If there's no one around, go as fast as you want, but seriously, if the trail is crowded, slow down and don't endanger others. 3. Be very careful when passing young children, in either direction. They do not have any idea what's going on in the world outside a 10 foot radius. 4. Stop at the road crossings. Some crossings are blind until you get right up to the stop sign. The Dry Mill Road crossing at Clarks Gap requires special attention. read more

I love this trail! Ran my first 20 miles on this trail. Super easy. I'm so glad this place is only 1.5 miles away from me, I go there at least 4 times a week, can't stay away. I like how along the trail there are Porta potty's for those of us who might need them, and drinking fountains for the ones who need to take a water break. read more

As a biker, I've used this trail twice. On weekend mornings to about noon, traffic is relatively moderate. Like all trails with bikers and pedestrians both have to a better job in respecting the others space. If you're a pedestrian listening with your headphones on, it's okay to zone out but please keep to the right as much as possible. read more

I've been running on this trail for the past couple months training for a marathon. I've been doing my long runs here. It's great because most of it is flat and you can easily keep track of your miles. The only reason I don't give it five stars is because it's very boring, although it's a trail there isn't much scenery, at least on the parts I've been on. The other thing I don't like is that it doesn't have lights for night. read more