Hiking in Northern VA is amazing because there are so many trails for all fitness levels to explore and enjoy. If you have children you’re bringing along, consider creating a little scavenger hunt of items for them to locate along your hike.
Before heading out you may want to grab a few things to bring along with you. Items such as bug spray, non-messy snacks, water, a flashlight, and band-aids (just in case you get a cut or blister) are good to have at the ready. Be sure your footwear is geared for various terrain if you are opting to hike a muddy or more difficult trail.
Most of the trails located within parks will offer trail guides which will detail all the different trail options you have to choose from. Here is a list I created to help get you pointed onto a fun path…
TRAILS IN NORTHERN VA
Mary Bird Branch Trail, Prince William Forest Park, Triangle; Easy 1.2 Miles
High Meadows Trail, Prince William Forest Park, Triangle; Easy – Intermediate 4.4 miles
Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas; has 40 Easy – Intermediate trails ranging from .5 – 5 miles
Broad Run Scenic Trail, Bristow; Easy 3.5 miles (park at Arbys & follow the L sidewalk along Sudley Manor Dr. to path before bridge)
Conway Robinson State Forest, Gainesville; Easy 3 Miles
Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket; Easy-Intermediate 6 miles
C.M. Crockett Park, Midland; Easy 1.5 Miles
Whitney State Forest, Warrenton; Easy – Intermediate 6 miles
Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane; Intermediate – Difficult 1-7+ miles (has scenic views of the Eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains and access to the Appalachian Trail)
Bears Den Overlook, Bluemont; Intermediate – Difficult 2 miles (part of the Appalachian Trail and offers overnight camping accommodations)
Hollow Brook Trail, Bluemont; Intermediate – Difficult 3.8 miles
Raven Rocks, Bluemont; Intermediate – Difficult 6 miles
Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail, Herndon; Easy – Intermediate 4.7 miles
Lake Thoreau Loop Trail, Reston; Easy 2 Miles around Lake Thoreau
Scott’s Run Loop on the Potomac Heritage Trail, McLean; Easy – Intermediate 3 miles (includes a waterfall)
Riverbend to Great Falls Park, McLean; Easy – Intermediate 2.5 miles
Bull Run Bluebell Trail, Centreville; Easy 1.8 miles
Lake Accotink Trail, Springfield; Easy 5 mile Loop around Lake Accotink
Burke Lake, Burke; Easy 4.5 miles around Burke Lake
Mason Neck State Park, Lorton; Easy – Challenging 1-7 mile trails (3 are paved)
Bull Run Occoquan Trail to Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station; Easy – Intermediate 18+ miles
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Woodbridge; 2.1 Easy Miles
Leave A Comment