The Boss trail is the coolest mountain bike obstacle trail I've accidentally found ever! It's…read morechallenging but it's short so you can run it 10 times, lots of wooden features and jumps, a few drops. The climbs are challenging. There are also a bunch of other easier trails here and you won't get quite as lost as you could at fountainhead.

Meadowood in Lorton is a U.S. BLM maintained property with a number of equestrian, mountain bike,…read moreand hiker trails. FYI for horse people: The Harley Road trailhead parking lot is designed for horse trailers, with a nice turnaround. No need to back up! The map that comes up on yelp shows the BLM office, check the trail map online for trailhead parking lots. There are maps at the parking lots to take, with mileage for trail segments. I'm reviewing the recently opened 4.6 mile South Branch hiking and mountain bike trail. The trail is accessible from a few parking lots (see the trail map). I parked at the lot on Old Colchester Rd, which only has space for about 6 cars, but I've never had trouble parking. There are no restrooms, water fountains, or garbage cans, so plan to bring water, and pack your trash out. I think they participate in managed hunts (announced) but I would not be surprised to find poachers, so think twice about dressing in deer colored clothes! I've hiked and jogged the trail. There are a few segments where the trail splits and then merges, one more difficult segment for mountain bikes, another for hikers. The trails are clearly marked, and you can easily make a longer hike by combining trails. South Branch is shady, the whole way. The hills are challenging enough to be fun without being miserably painful. If you think of Burke Lake's trail as a 1 on a 1 to 10 degree of difficulty, I'd rate South Branch as a 3 or 4 but I'm not the strongest hiker. There isn't room for 2 to walk side by side in most spots, and keep your ears open. We yielded the trail to bikes, but the bike riders slowed and didn't mow us down. If everyone plays well together it will help - a bike could topple down steep ravines in a couple of spots, they need some room. But bikes need to watch out too. Dogs are allowed, leash laws apply. I don't think a jogging stroller would make it. Very bumpy. The marshy area has a raised walkway and the small creeks have bridges, so you will not get soaked. Mud pits have honeycomb cinderblock retainers which is really nice. I think this trail is a blast. I don't like crowds and I like a challenge. This is a hard run for me, but a good one. I am so happy to find a place like this with no crowds. Love it!! This is the link to the trail map as of June 2012 http://www.blm.gov/es/st/en/fo/lpfo_html/recreation.html

I went in late August, the weather was fairly comfortable. Unfortunately the trails are full of…read morebugs and gnats, completely diminishing the overall experience. I mean I get it's the outdoors and it's nature, but I find this place way more buggy and gnatty then any other place I've gone hiking. There is no scenic view because this is just in a fairly flat forest and no hills, cliffs, or mountains to get a view from. Parking is sufficient and there's adequate signage on where to go and how to get back.

Schaeffer Farms is ideal for novice to expert-level mountain bikers. There's an assortment of…read moreroutes available and the trails are well-maintained with the exception of a couple downed trees that have to be crawled under or climbed over. Like any outdoor trail there will be some bugs, but it's nothing bug repellent can't solve. I'll definitely be back again.

A trail running along the water. Well lit and very calming. I only did a fraction out of it, but…read morewhat I did do had an elevated deck and a small 'observation deck'.

This trail is an absolute gem in Arlington! I have visited in all four seasons in the last seven…read moreyears and it is beautiful all year 'round - especially the foliage in the Fall and luscious greenery in the summer. The trail is quite versatile for runners because you can easily scale how long to run for - I have trained for 8ks through half marathons on this trail. A huge bonus is the idyllic streams and big canopy trees to look at during your runs, rather than just buildings. The trees also provide a welcome shade during the hot summer months. The trail is also quite safe and family friendly. I highly recommend this trail!

A nice neighborhood park. It may lack amenities or fancy extras. Yet this is a pleasant place to…read morespend time. Hiking and biking are great for your health. Is this park and trail going to create a cardiovascular challenge? No. Yet it's good for people of all ages and abilities. Have met kind walkers and other folks here. This is an area to relax in. One has to smile when you think how close the Beltway is. Here your far away from that, as lots of Oak and Maple trees. There aren't any mind blowing views, but this park serves a purpose. It's a safe place to unwind and get out of the fast life the areas known for.

I started running along the trail from the Braddock road entrance and went just over two miles and…read moreit seems trail does not circle. I stopped and turned around once I reached a major street. Approved for biking, trail running, hiking and dogs. I also so a basketball court.

This is where it all begins; Mile 0 of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail. A plaza,…read morecomplete with plaques detailing the history of the W&OD, mark the start of the W&OD. From here, the W&OD travels west through Arlington County as it heads towards Purcellville, VA, some 45 miles away. This is a great place to start a trek on the W&OD trail. There's plenty of parking. If you forgot something to eat or drink for your ride, or need refreshment after your ride, the Village at Shirlington is just a block or so away and offers many restaurants, coffee shops, a Harris Teeter grocery store. Check out other Yelp reviews for other portions of the W&OD. For trail maps, check out Friends of the W&OD (http://www.wodfriends.org).

I've only run on the trail in the Falls Church-Arlington area around Four Mile Run, but I…read moreabsolutely love it. This is a great trail, easy to run, very peaceful, easy to access. Would love to do a long run out toward Dulles sometime. Maybe next time I need a long run and I'm down in NOVA. If you've ever lived anywhere that doesn't have awesome trails like this, then you know this is something special.

Great place for a stroll or to view some nature! Busy at times. Restrooms are portables, not sure…read moreif they keep these here all year long. Fo the nature lovers; we'll be posting more photographs on our instagram: 3spade7star_photography

Our second year attending the annual lights display…read more Had a wonderful time walking through with my sister and my nephews. Appreciate the shuttle offered from the school which we were able park. Cool interactive lighting display and a fun way to get some steps in. This year there were 4 food truck options on site, loved the options. Looking forward to keeping the tradition going next year! Happy Yelping.

Race fees. During…read morethese tough economic times some might consider this a luxury item. Anyone can just hop on their bike or throw on some running shoes and get a great workout for free. So what do you really get for your race fee? "a Date". That's right.... you have a date on your calendar. We all say we're going to get up and go for a 6am run on Monday, but how often does that happen? Once you commit to the race, you're much more likely to get your butt out of that warm, comfy bed and put your running shoes on. "the Experience". Sure, you can join various local running or cycling groups, but where else can you meet up with a few hundred other like minded athletes to push and challenge yourself to run or ride your hardest and fastest? How cool is it to give your child the opportunity to watch from the side lines as mommy or daddy races past them, sometimes giving out a high-five as they go by? "aid stations". Multiple aid stations are set up every few miles on the course ready to offer water, Gatorade and medical attention, should you need help while out on the course. Staff and volunteers are set up with radio communication for any possible situation that might arise. "action photos". High hopes to be the fresh face for Nike or Under Armour? Brian Knight Photography is out on the course catching your athletic endeavors.... leaping across a creek, tumbling down shock-a-billy, scrambling up the rocks at Rocky Gap, or your relieved expressions upon seeing the finish line. "a marked course". Feeling apprehensive about checking out a new area by yourself? Afraid you might get lost out in the wilderness? If you're like me, I never trail run or mtn bike by myself solely for safety purposes. Too bad all the trails I ride don't have "XXX"danger signs when approaching a crazy rocky descent! "post race party". Fresh, hot Papa Johns pizza awaits you at the finish. Instant gratification for getting out of bed early in the morning. Fruit, granola bars, yogurt, cookies, M&Ms, and other refreshments are provided at every race. Great prizes such as Ipods and gift certificates to running stores like VA runner, and the Bike Lane are also given out during the awards ceremony. "fond memories". You'll always remember picking up your pace to pass the girl in front of you so that you could get on the podium. You'll remember your off road 1/2 marathon finish time. You'll remember how you felt when you rocked shock-a-billy in front of a crowd of spectators. When you bump into a complete stranger wearing the EX2 hat, or race T-shirt, you'll find yourself curious as to which race he or she participated. I've raced in a few EX2 events, and volunteered for many more. I have had the pleasure to see the race experience from both sides, and I know how much hard work goes into putting together a well run race with high levels of support. I also have experienced the feelings of camaraderie with fellow athletes, the joy of crossing the finish line after a particularly difficult physical challenge, and the satisfaction of knowing I was able to push myself farther than I ever imagined. When you consider all of this, the race fee becomes more of a long term investment in yourself.

EX2 Adventures trail running and mountain biking races are awesome!…read more These races are planned by runners, for runners. This isn't some elementary school fundraiser or overcrowded destination race where all they care about is your entry fee. If you are a runner, you know what I'm talking about. These aren't the kind of races where they charge inflated entry fees for a crappy cheap t-shirt with a hundred logos on it, a couple cookies and a warm bottle of water, and lines around the block for overflowing port-o-lets. Oh no, the people at EX2 Adventures are very well organized and actually care that you have fun. Case in point, in April I ran the final race of the 2010 Spring Backyard Burn series out in Prince William Forest Park, Virginia. The EX2 Adventures sponsors gave away so much post-race food and prizes, I really felt like I came out way ahead of what I paid in registration fees. Beyond gorging myself on pizza and other goodies after the 10 mile trail run, I also randomly won a gift certificate for a half hour massage for having the worst race injury; a set of ridiculously bloody nipples. I've only ever participated in the Backyard Burn races, but have heard great things about the Cranky Monkey mountain biking and Greenhorn Adventure races. If you are looking for a fun and challenging adventure you can't go wrong with an EX2 event.

You might have jogged, biked or walked your dog on this trail before and never knew its name. It…read moreruns parallel to the Capital Crescent Trail, but the wooded section of this 3.5 mile trail only goes from Mass Ave. to MacArthur, which is about a mile or so. It has a solid trail, but you can venture along a more rustic path closer to the water's edge. At one point the CCT crosses over you and at another you can merge onto the CCT. My four legged pal got quite a work out and had fun sniffing other friendly dogs along the way. There isn't an "official" parking lot, but most people who drive to use the trail (me) park along the edge of Little Falls Pkwy. There is a large shoulder there and when we got back to the car there were about eight other cars parked there. If you want a short pleasant walk with fewer high speed cyclist (There are a few of them--watch out!) then check out this trail.

A nice little trail. Many people, if they are not going via car, will likely get off at…read moreWestmoreland circle and either take the 29 or, if they do not feel like waiting forever, as usual, for the Mont. Co. buses, walk the downhill via foot or bike for .75 miles to the Mass Ave entry point. From here, you zig zag a little until you hit MacArthur Blvd 1.25 miles south. In between, it is quite peaceful. I do not like it as much as the longer Battery Kemble or Glover Archbold, etc., but it has some nice sights just the same. You get some great views of the 100% fenced off Dalecarlia Reservoir. I am not sure how anything north of Mass Ave is, but judging from google maps, there is not too much green above this entry point.

Just behind the D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory development is a large public park that provides so…read moremuch peace. Here's why you should visit if you're in the area: 1) Trails: There are a number of trails of all lengths perfect for a little hike with small kids. The trails are even enough that you could job on them, but they aren't paved so strollers are not recommended. 2) History: There are several plaques that tell the land's history being the property of a Revolutionary War hero. 3) Frisbee Golf: There's a long course with markers and all. 4) Workout Equipment: There are several stations to get a good arm and leg workout in. 5) Pond: There's a little pond that one of the trails leads to. Some even fish in it off of the dock. 6) Open Space: There are a few wide grassy areas on hills perfect for do walkers.

We've been here a handful of times to do the ~2 mile trail walk (Giles Run Meadow Trail) with our…read morekids. It's a nice course down around the pond, along the disc golf course, through the woods with changes of elevation, over the river on rocks, and back). The trail is well-worn and you may encounter runners, walkers with dogs, and bikers (though honestly for us it's been very few). The only somewhat bad thing is that it is very often muddy (but it's the woods so what can you do?!). There's a ton of parking, a tiny play area (I wanted to say playground but it's really not), and a floating dock at the pond where you can fish. This park is part of a bigger walkway/trail system which we have not as of yet explored. It would be nice if they had restrooms, so thankfully we live fairly close.

Awesome trails that are well marked and we'll maintained. Don't get confused with Annapolis Rock…read morebeing down near Annapolis, MD and don't get confused over the Washington Monument that's out here too - we're in Myersville haha. Seriously my current favorite stretch of trails in the state of Maryland, you have the option of going to either vista(we did both when we were out there and added a few miles on another trail) and both views are awesome. Be prepared for some good elevation climb, I clocked our highest gain of being 1800 feet - felt hard core. Just doing either one of the trails will be a good trek and not overwhelming for any novice hiker. Doing both might be a bit much for those not well versed in walking for really long periods of time. Dog friendly, but please leash your creatures. All it takes is one friendly unleashed dog to run up to a not friendly leashed dog and then everyone's trail experience is ruined. We finished just shy of 15 miles for our day, and felt great! Annapolis Rock is the steeper climb albeit shorter at around 2.2 miles out then 2.2 miles back(4.4 mile hike). Washington Monument is an easier trail though it's a bit longer and around 3.5 miles out then 3.5 back. Highly recommend, super easy to find with the parking strip right off the road!

I'm so glad to finally be able to write a review on this place. It was so hard to find for me. But…read moreit was totally worth the trouble. It was an amazing hike. The right amount of hard work and great view The actual address for the trail head to Annapolis Rock from Maryland is 11142-11150 Baltimore National Pike Myersville MD 21773