Explore the best rated trails in Potomac, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Anacostia River Trail and Meadowlark Connector Trail . With more than 117 trails covering 4645 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Rode the trail from Jones Point Park to Mount Vernon last week. Most all of the wooden bridges are newer and add to the ambience, but don't provide a good riding surface for my MTB with Schwalbe Silento 26x1.75 tires. As others have noted, the pushed up roots have been ground down somewhat, but not smooth, until about a 1/2 mile from Mount Vernon where the pushed up roots are simply marked and the trail becomes unrideable. On the return, I rode on the George Washington Parkway to get past the badly pushed up roots section. Then, I rode as far as I could on lightly travelled neighborhood streets running parallel to the trail, which were substantially smoother. Then proceeded back on the trail to Jones Point Park. Overall, it wasn't a very enjoyable ride and likely won't seek to do it again.
Rode this trail twice this month. Lightly used with only one street crossing. Only encountered one area washed out by the creek that had a gravel bypass. Watch out for a big bump just before a bridge. I hit it going to fast and it took out my front tire. They have added a bike repair station at the Tucker Road Ice Rink with a stand, tools and a pump.
I haven’t seen any recent reviews regarding this location so I wanted to write an update. I am an inline skater & enjoy new trails to try. It’s a beautiful location for the most part. Very quiet & a nice long trail with minimum elevation. It is surrounded by an Omish community, & farmlands throughout the entire route. Although it was beautiful views of the land & farms, it also had downsides. The roads were not very smooth, but still nice enough to skate on. There was animal poop all on the trail you have to avoid if you care about your wheels. It also smells like farmland. Do with that as you wish. Happy Riding!
I haven’t anything new so I thought I would add one. I love this route! I am an inline skater and it is a very smooth ride. It is not super crowded & very peaceful. The people are really nice & I never have any issues.
Rode this on 6/13/24 with a friend, covering 20 miles. Parked at the Ropewalk Pavilion, 4601 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg. Restroom here was clean. Trail is well marked with trail signs except for about 1/2 mile were you are traveling through a neighborhood on the streets. Lots of turns and small hills make it pleasant to ride allowing you to rest some while coasting. Most if the paved trail is only about 6 feet wide so you need to stay on your own side especially at the blind turns. Condition of the asphalt was good although some of the boardwalks were a little rough. This trail takes you past some beautiful scenery in MD and DC. There was a 400 yard section by the Wash Navy Yard where you are supposed to walk your bike.
Long, mostly straight, subtle gentle hills, nice views, and a reasonably low amount of road crossings. My personal go-to for long runs.
Trail in disrepair about 1 mile from trailhead basically unpassable looks like it's been that way for a while :(
With the exception of the mile just north of Mt Vernon, all the root cracks have been ground down to nearly smooth. Would probably be acceptable on a road bike, but more comfortable on hybrid or gravel bike.
We parked at lock 38 by Shepardstown. Trail is well maintained and gorgeous. Many bikers, runners and walkers out.Note it is a trash free park.
Most of this trail is not along streets. We often ride this trail round trip from Ballenger Creek Park to the other end which is near Dunkin Donuts. We often see deer. There are two bridges over Ballenger Creek, and an underpass at New Design Road which keeps trail users away from traffic. There are a few air pump and tool stands along the trail. The western half mile is on sidewalk along the road, with traffic light protection for crossing.
From Dupont Circle in DC out to Purcellville in VA is almost exactly 50 miles. So hard core cyclists can do a century, while less extreme pedalers can make a two day trip out of it. And, as there are many Metro stops along the trail, cyclists can also do rides of varying lengths along different sections. An amazingly versatile trail in that regard. All of which — plus the C&O Canal (360 miles r/t from DC to Cumberland), Mt Vernon Trail (42 miles rt from DC to Mt Vernon), Rock Creek Park trail (45 miles rt from DC to Lake Needwood) should make DC the top cycling destination in the US.
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