Photography by 3Spade7Star (Instagram: @3spade7star_photography) The Mt Vernon Trail begins by the parking lot by the historic manor Mt Vernon, the home of George Washington. It is a paved trail with dips, bridges, and little man made paths in the woods running off the trail down to the sandy coastline area of the Potomac River. An information display of the map of the Mt Vernon Trail shows how it runs through Alexandria, Riverside Park, Ft Hunt, and goes up north of Old Town Alexandria. The trail is 18 miles. It takes about a mile to reach Riverside Park. We walked back and forth the trail , the park, and back to the entrance area of Mt Vernon manor for a leisurely walk and to view wildlife & nature. There are so many beautiful sights of the Potomac River and nature on the trail. I was fascinated to read a history display informing how Mt Vernon was comprised of 8,000 acres and five farms in 1799. Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying that George Washington valued being on the farm more than his position in politics and the military. Despite running alongside the woods and a busy road, the trail is peaceful and a small distance away from where we live. It was a good first experience for both of us to just get away, exercise, and enjoy nature. We walked a total of 2.5 miles that day. It is an easy walk. Lots of free parking at the start of trail. There are many birds and wildflowers alongside the trail - great for photography. read more

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Another nice trail right before long ridge park. A little more winding but not as nice as long ridge park. Running near the water it is another nice option in the area for stroll. read more

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The address using GPS may take you to the back of a restaurant keep straight and go into the visitor parking lot for Mount Vernon. Once you park your car, the trail is right beside the lot. You can put Mount Vernon bike trail into your GPS and it will direct you to the path. If you've never been on this trail before expect lots of rolling Hills, pedestrians, families, and people walking their dogs. You have to be alert and use proper bike manners. The trail runs along the Potomac river and it was nice seeing the sunset. We also went 10 miles into Alexandria, where you have many fun shops and restaurants to choose from. read more

This trail is awesome. The only major negative is the bike riders. They zoom through here like they are on The Tour De France. They are going to seriously take an unsuspecting walker/jogger out some day. The trail itself is well marked, clearly defined and well paved. I took this trail from Crystal City to Gravelly Park, to Arlington National Cemetery. There are a few bike kiosk along the trail and it gives you an awesome view of the airport and Potomac River. The trail runs 18 miles, from George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island and links to other trails including, the Potomac Heritage, Custis, Rock Creek, Four Mile Run, and Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trails, making the distance a biker/runner can go almost limitless. I only did a few miles of the trail. They say that motorized vehicles such as scooters or e-bikes are not allowed on the trail. Well, good luck with that. I saw both scooters and e-bikes on the trail while I was on it. They also require commercial and organized groups and activities to obtain a permit to use the trail. I like this trail. It gave me a very scenic route to a few of the area's attractions, without all of the traffic. Some sections of the trails cross through vehicle traffic areas including parking lots and stops signs, so just be aware that you may need to slow down or stop completely. Also, as I mentioned earlier, you have to be very cognizant of the bikes, they mean business. read more

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Always have enjoyed hiking or biking the Mount Vernon Trail. It goes from Arlington down to George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. I do wish the next door GW Parkway was quieter, but traffic in this area has grown exponentially. That's the joy of living in a high density suburban area. I do think this is a trail better for biking, but I do see some areas for improvements. My guess is there are renovations considered, but my hope is a few items can be looked at or fixed. What in the methed up has happened to some of the bathrooms in parks on this trail? Are drug users tearing them up? Absolutely repugnant, and my condolences to the folks who have to clean this up. The trail has some easy going hills, and actually I like the little challenge. Yet the markings are disappearing, which can lead to confusion here and there. My hope is these can be reapplied soon. It's a decent trail, and brings you by historic and scenic sights in the area. read more

Mount Vernon Trail - Parks Near Me - Mount Vernon, Virginia

Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile paved trail that stretches from George Washington's Mount Vernon to Roosevelt Island. A few weeks ago after a visit to George Washington's Mount Vernon, we walked along the trail for a few miles. This part of the trail wasn't the most beautiful or interesting, but you can stretch your legs and get a view of the Potomac. We didn't have time to go further, but if you do, it takes you through several parks (Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, Belle Haven Park, Jones Point Park) and through Alexandria and just keeps going! Next time I'm in the area, I'd like to walk along a different portion of the trail. It's great to have a trail like this. Definitely take advantage if you're in the area. read more

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[Coronavirus review] I came looking for a place to beat the other disease going around: cabin fever. Unfortunately, this isn't the greatest place to be during a pandemic. It's pretty crowded, and the trail isn't big enough for bikes and people going both ways, so I worry a bit about accidental contact. I may look elsewhere to get my walks in. Also, they've closed what restroom facilities there were, so plan accordingly. It's called the Mount Vernon Trail but that really undersells it. This baby is 18 miles long, and I suspect most people on it never get anywhere near Mount Vernon. It runs close to the river and offers many great views. It is paved, and while the pavement is passable, the big problem is that it isn't wide enough at some junctions; it really needs bike lanes and pedestrian lanes going in both directions, as there are plenty of both types of users. For the majority of people that will likely be driving to some point on it, you're bound by the confusing structure of the GW parkway. Many of the turnoffs are only accessible by the northbound parkway, and there aren't a lot of places to make U turns, so it takes some thinking. Some places where you can turn left off of the southbound parkway include Daingerfield Island and Dyke Marsh, which are good sites with free parking. It gets easier once you get outside of the urban area south of Alexandria. The cross-river views of Fort Washington are notable, but really, the whole length of the path has something to offer. read more

Mount Vernon Trail - Parks Near Me - Mount Vernon, Virginia

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Came to Mt Vernon with wife and grandkids at 12 noon. Beautiful day. The house tour is onky 2 dollars extra, no biggie. We walked all the grounds and the entire place was well groomed. Staff was polite and very knowledgeable about many details. The museum back where the tickets are sold was interesting and informative. We also ate at the Cafe when we were done and the food was decent. Typical Cafe food ate an attraction. We wouldn't mind returning some day. Price is fair. Did not make the National Treasure tour this time. read more

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Wouldn't really recommend coming in the winter or surrounding months. Cold, no vegetation, many trails are closed. Felt like we missed on what made this place special. read more

Beautiful 17 mile trail along GW Parkway with sweeping views of the monuments and DC skyline. The trail starts from Roosevelt Island bends around Gravelly Point to the DCA airport, then uphill to Crystal City and meanders through Alexandria, goes past River Farm, and finally winds up at Mount Vernon Estate. The trail is relatively flat and shaded in most areas. I've done the full stretch while training for the Marine Corp marathon. Great preparation! From downtown Alexandria to Mount Vernon, it's hard to find a good pit stop to get water/food and the trial is swarmed with bikers. The lanes can get narrow, so be on the look-out with some ringing in your ears! The Gravelly Point section gets the most foot traffic as Crystal City is an easy entry point and right near the metro. My favorite running trail in VA with the best views! read more

Scenic trail to bike, walk, or jog along the Potomac River. On a nice day it's wonderfully scenic and the surroundings offer some great views if you're a jogger, cyclist, or just want to take a relaxing walk. Views of the monuments, the water, with trails that head along the woods. It's a pretty flat paved trail overall so it's not too taxing on the body for those not in the best shape. It's more about the distance as this sucker is long. It's 17 miles in Northern Virginia that reaches between Rosslyn and George Washington's home at Mount Vernon. Being that it's such a popular trail it can be a bit of a traffic jam at certain points with joggers, cyclists, walkers, and moms with Fiat sized baby carriages clogging the way. read more

Sucha beautiful place to enjoy with my mom. She loves it and I love it too. Great view and fresh air read more

Mount Vernon Trail - Parks Near Me - Mount Vernon, Virginia

Went on this trail 10/19/19 Trail was gorgeous! Many places to stop and sit. Views were green and amazing. I recommend. Definitely not a short hike as you can go around the Potomac River. Ended the Trail in Alexandria read more

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this is a wonderful multi-purpose trail that originates in mount vernon (george washington's estate) and runs north, extending all the way to theodore roosevelt island. the trail itself is 18 miles, which makes for great long distance training, cycling, rollerblading, or a very long walk! the trail is a hard, paved road, but the on my first visit, it felt more like a dirt/mud trail since there was snow & ice on the ground, so i couldn't move very fast. it was very pretty though, a completely white, snow-covered trail on a cold, wintery morning. i definitely ran into lots of runners, going in both directions, no surprise there since i was running the alexandria, va portion of the trail, where you could continue south, along the potomac river, or head north, towards washington d.c. although i didn't see any water fountains along the trail, there are proper restrooms in belle haven park (with flushing toilets and running water) in the event nature calls. there's also multiple, small footbridges along this trail which breaks up the run a bit, and most of the bridges offer a scenic view of the potomac river and/or the immediate park that the trail is passing through. i only wish i had more time to run further south, towards gw's home, and see more of this trail. will definitely return the next time i'm in northern virginia, and hopefully it'll be warmer so that i can actually see the trail and wonderful colors of spring/summer. read more

This is one of the best things about Washington DC. I love biking or jogging along this trail that actually goes all the way to the airport and down to Alexandria. Along the way you get some of the best views of the monuments in DC. It is pleasant, even in winter. The path can get busy during popular hours. Bring plenty of water, and plan bathroom breaks accordingly as there are no rest stops or any porta potty along the trail even though the trail may seem like a "city" trail. There are several trail heads with limited parking. The best way is to walk (or bike) over the Key Bridge from Georgetown and onto the trail. You can also take the metro to Rosslyn and walk down this trail. No need to drive. read more

Mount Vernon Trail - Rosslyn skyline - Parks Near Me - Mount Vernon, Virginia

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This is a beautiful trail. On the way to Mount Vernon it's uphill but not very steep. There are several parking areas along the trail. Many people use it, therefore you cannot go very fast and you need to be cautious. This trail includes several wooden bridges. read more

This is a scenic trail that goes along the river all the way from Mt. Vernon to Rosslyn, it's worth checking out for sure whether you're a tourist or a local. It's paved but can be narrow in places, especially in nice weather when everyone is walking, jogging, running, biking and roller blading, so pay attention to avoid getting run over by some self-important bikers or oblivious runners. It's definitely the best trail in the area and be sure to step to the side to take your pictures! read more

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This is one of the times that I really should have read Yelp before going someplace. Now I don't mean that in a bad way, but it would have been helpful to know what to expect because most of the reviews for the MVT are 100% spot on. We saw all of the usual issues on our way from Old Town to GW's house: A bunch of middle aged dumb fucks thinking that it's the Tour de DC. The same dumb fucks yelling "On Your Left" as they're already past you with lots of bird flipping from both the people getting passed and from the people doing the passing if you didn't run yourself into the trees so that they have enough space to pass. Young kids wobbling on bikes and trikes while riding on the wrong side of the trail as mom or dad talked/fiddled with their iPhone oblivious to the fact that little Johnny was about to cause a homicide by riding into oncoming bikers. And don't even get me started about trying to ride through the parks and picnic areas. But with all of that said, the trail itself has amazing scenery and the majority of people are courteous and polite. If you are not a regular rider you will not find the ride as easy as most suggest it is, but it still is worth it as a truly unique way to see parts of DC/Alexandria/and Mount Vernon from a different vantage point. read more

This review about the connection between Columbia Island Marina to almost Rosslyn. I jumped on the trail form a weird trek I started at The USMC Memorial. The truth is I had no idea where to park to start this excursion. The only goal I had in mind for this expedition was to get a selfie shot in front of some beautiful flowers (see current profile photo), and to take in the beautiful spring day. I didn't do any sort of research before setting out on the excursion. I simply did the first thing that came to mind and that was to park at the USMC Memorial and walk from there. Not the brightest of the bright ideas I've had. I was wearing my church outfit from Easter, and some sandals. Anyone can agree that walking in sandals for long distances is never a sound idea. If I was wearing tennis shoes this wouldn't have been an issue. Moving on, I crossed a few roads including 50 and GW Parkway to make my way to my so-called flower place. From there I ventured to the Mount Vernon Trail where I kept walking along the waterfront taking it all in while walking basically barefoot the entire stretch of this portion of the trail. I got some fantastic pictures! Initially I was only going to do that short walk to the flowers, but then that turned into me wanting to see the Navy Merchant Marine Memorial... On the Yelp map, the Navy Merchant Marine Memorial doesn't look that far. I was wrong by a long shot. Again, this wouldn't be an issue if I was wearing proper footwear... It is closer to the 14th Street/395 bridge than Memorial Bridge. I kept walking regardless. Finally making it to the memorial; I realized I needed to get myself back to my car. My feet were numb at this point. I asked someone where they parked. and I learned of the Columbia Island Marina which is a stone throw from where the Lady Bird Johnson Park where the NMM Memorial actually resides in. I walked around to the marina, and called an Uber. There was no way I was about to walk back with my feet in the condition they were in. It was only a 2 mile walk! Not bad, and pretty easy considering it is completely flat terrain with probably the prettiest view along the trail. I haven't been on any other portion of the trail yet, but I am definitely going to be making my rounds to try the entire trail by the end of the year. There are tons of people out on it. I was pretty annoyed with cyclists kept chiming their bells and horns at me... I'd rather you yell at me than chime at me. It was amusing as well seeing how intense some of the people take their cycling when others are out for a leisure stroll with their kids, and the cyclists have a clear annoyance on their face of 'how dare you!' on their face. Damn kids.... damn parents.... damn pedestrians! Another notable thought -- this place is great for people watching and obvious picture taking. read more

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This is my primary place I will go to run. It's beautiful, generally not too crowded (on the southern side of the trail) and mostly flat. I am a runner not a biker so I usually stick to mile markers 1-4ish, which round trip is a nice run. It has a steep hill or two in there around mile marker 3 but if I can handle it, anyone can handle it! If you aren't a runner or a biker and choose to walk along the trail, there are fitness stations set up... which are still somewhat new... and it reminds me of a place I used to go on walks with my grandmother when I was a child. So the trail is also kid friendly, just keep them out of the way of the bikers because we all know children are not always aware of their surroundings. read more

Great trail that starts at the Mount Vernon Estate and goes all the way to D.C. (Close to 14miles). Great brows of he Potomac river and it crosses a few parks along the way. read more

I love this trail. Great view of the Potomac River and the Washington Skyline. You can see the different bridges, Key bridge, Memorial Bridge, 14th st bridge. I use it to connect to the 4 mile run trail to get to Shirlington. It's great for people watching if you go after work on a nice day. You can usually check out people fishing too. I've seen folks catch giant catfish that were probably 20-30 lbs. They looked like the size of my thighs! I've ridden the whole span of this trail, and toward Mt. Vernon it can get a little sketchy at times. The trail can be a little windy or steep, and it's on wooden walkways. Those get very slippery if there is moss or morning dew on it. Another good place to check out along the trail is Reagan Airport. I brought my boo here once to check out the planes taking off, and she even set the camera on timer to pose us kissing with a plane taking off in the background. How sappy is that. Btw, if you're wondering, that boom you hear isn't gunshot, it's an air gun to make noise to scare away birds so they don't get clobbered by the planes. read more

What a great amenity to the city! The trail isn't crowded at all on weekday mornings, if you want to get up early. Although I always see tons of bikers and joggers on the trail during the weekends, so be careful if you want want isolation. It's truly beautiful during the change of seasons! read more

Mount Vernon Trail - I try and go biking on it at 7am. This is what I see. - Parks Near Me - Mount Vernon, Virginia

Aww first time on this trail as a cyclist. I normally stick to the comfort of the woods in Mason Neck but decided it was time to grow up and ride amongst others. LOVED IT. I was intimitated because it is a popular path and I have only been riding for about a year and since the path was unfamiliar to me I had my concerns. I rode from Mount Vernon all the way to Old Town. The path has some winding areas but as long as your breaks are in good condition you will be fine. Some incline but nothing so difficult that I couldnt just stand and pedal! You can see so much more on a bike than you can walking and while driving in the car is scenic - being on 2 wheels was amazing. Well maintained trail. Very scenic and lot so of spots to rest, get water or use the bathroom. Discover Alexandria! Can't wait to do this trail again. Next Georgetown! read more

This gorgeous little stretch that straddles the Potomac one side and GW Parkway on the other is reportedly the trail GW took from his Mount Vernon state to, well, work, everyday back when he was president and stuff. Quite a commute if you don't have a personal driver. As a leisurely bike ride, you'll find it a little tight on space if you're traveling with a companion and actually wish to talk to them. If you're even able to do that, you may get "honked" at by an overzealous cyclist behind you. Many of them aren't concerned about veiling their rudeness, either. The trail is also a bit hilly and may require a bit more spritely of a pace if you'd like to avoid struggling over the humps, some of them stretching for a good 25 yards at times. You have to stop by one of the picnic sites and admire just how calm the Potomac is. You can let your head swim away to Continental US history, letting your eyes glaze to the other side of the water---is that DC, Maryland or just more Virginia? Don't know, don't care. During summer, it's more humid than a Costa Rican salsa bar at high noon, but the trail is heavily wooded with trees; good for protection from the heat, but bad at night when it's nearly pitch black. A safe way to get around in the DC area, whether commuting like GW himself, or exploring. read more

Mount Vernon Trail - Parks Near Me - Mount Vernon, Virginia

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Mount Vernon trail is such a great trail for walking, running, and biking. It starts from approximately the Theodore Roosevelt Island area all the way south down to Mount Vernon and is a great way to bike and see the waterfront or to get your long runs in. I took the trail from Theodore Roosevelt Island down to Daingerfield and hope to explore the southern end as well. It's so well-maintained, and most everyone (walkers, bikers, runners) were very courteous in sharing the trail. There are gorgeous views of the river all along the way, and I loved watching the planes fly by closely overhead as you are near the Gravelly Point / DCA area. I'm not a huge fan of the trail being basically parallel to the GW Parkway with the noise from cars, but I definitely understand sharing the scenic route! read more

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The Mt. Vernon trail is super-awesome, especially after leaving the Old Town Alexandria area. It's a technical ride on bike while traversing the hills in the mini-forest. It's a great workout, but definitely recommend biking in the morning to avoid the runner/pedestrian traffic. TIP: Leave some energy while going up the last hill to Mt. Vernon. read more

It has amazing views of the capitol, monuments, and the Potomac. It's well maintained. Planes fly right over you (that's both a pro and con). And most importantly for this beginning runner, a big chunk of it is flat. My one minor gripe is I think the trail is a little narrow. I also run on the trail weeday mornings, so I haven't ever faced the lovely crowds that many other reviewers have commented on. Overall a very pleasant spot for a run. Highly recommend it. read more

I like how DC has so many trails. The Mount Vernon trail starts across the bridge south of Georgetown and runs along the Potomac and even passes through Old Town Alexandria. Biking is great here, but walking or running can sometimes get annoying when cyclists pass you by or almost hit you. read more

A great running trail to supplement marathon training! From Lincoln Memorial, it's about 2 miles to Georgetown, making the southern path much more preferable for long-runs in terms of distance. I believe it goes all the way down to Alexandria... maybe further? However, it isn't as scenic as the route to Georgetown, and includes a 2-second patch of smelly porta-potties. Keep to the right, let the bikers pass you, and watch your surrounding when you pass someone. If you follow basic driving code of conduct, you shouldn't have to worry about getting run over. read more

When I bike on this trail, I can only focus on the letter to my elected official demanding that they ban walkers from it. Later, I take a walk on it and immediately get on the phone to my councilman's office begging them to pass legislation to keep bikes off the trail. But inevitiably, a kid on a tricycle pulls out in front of me while I'm on the phone, walking four-abrest with my out of town buddies, and I trip and fall, only to be run over by a crazed roller-blader...then trampeeded by joggers, and finally finished off by the large wheels of one of those high-end SUV strollers. I think that pretty much sums up a beautiful Saturday afternoon on the Mt. Vernon trail. read more

I'd been on small parts of the trail from Old Town to the airport, but today was the first time heading towards Mt Vernon on a bike. Granted, I hadn't been on a bike since middle school, so I was a bit nervous sharing the trail with fancy-pants riders, parents with children, walkers, runners, and others randomly wandering about the trail. Luckily, even for a Saturday afternoon, the trail wasn't so busy that passing others (and being passed) wasn't too much of an issue...except for passing large picnic areas. Seriously, I understand wanting to walk on the path to get to an adequate picnic site, but can you at least not walk 5 wide and 8 deep, with children weaving all over the place? Thanksss. I love that the trail is dotted with drinking fountain areas (or bubbler areas, depending on where you're from), and areas to stop and stare at the beautiful scenery, including Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve. The trail is a bit narrow, but the path is well maintained and hitting low hanging branches weren't a problem. Can't wait to be back on the trail - I'm a major fan! read more

Being that I'm originally from Texas this trail is absolutely stunning! I know that a lot of people can take for granted the beautiful opportunities the area has to offer but this tail is almost impossible to ride on and not think how nice of a ride it is. As with most of the other comments, I would agree that the ride from Old Town to Mt. Vernon is more challenging than Old Town to the city. However, I've talked to several 'hardcore' riders who seem to think the ride to Mt Vernon is fairly flat. I don't care what anyone says, my native Texan is coming out here and says that the ride is anything but flat. If you just feel like good exercise and a nice view along the way I would definitely recommend this trail...you could even bring a snack or picnic and eat it before heading back down the trail. read more

A great option for outdoor enthusiasts who don't want to venture too far from home (if you call DC/NOVA areas home, that is). Yes, it gets crowded on the weekends, but hey, we are talking about a metro area here people, of COURSE it's going to be crowded. The portion of the trail I frequent is from the edge of Old Town Alexandria to Mount Vernon. A lot less crowded out that way, and just stunning. I think it was George Washington who said something about the beauty of the Potomac River and the DC area generally, and when I bike along the river, I can see why. The trail itself is very well maintained, and most portions are pretty flat, so if you're a beginner or someone like me who goes to get out and break a small sweat, this is for you. Places around Old Town get a bit dicey since you have to go through neighborhoods, but signs for the trail are clearly marked so it's not too much of an issue. I for one am happy to have such a beautiful recreation option steps from my house! read more

Clearly the one trail in town to take your out-of-town cyclist friends on. Pluses: There are great postcard-worthy views of DC Pretty level, great for neophyte bikers Usually a nice breeze from the river even in August heat wave Numerous point of access to Metro Numerous restrooms along trail Except for snow, trail pretty well maintained Fun city riding through Old Town Alexandria Negatives: VERY popular, section from Rosslyn to Old Town can be very crowded with joggers, strollers, pets, and maniacal cyclists A few sharp twists with limited sight-lines makes riding through crowds very hazardous Wilson Bridge construction has required years of detours that makes getting south of Alexandria sometimes confusing A few sections of boardwalk makes for bumpy riding In winter, trail tends not to be cleared of snow and frozen slush is no fun to ride or walk on read more

Running on the MVT yesterday--finally recovered from an injury that kept me from running for 6 weeks and with the weather perfect and springy after a long winter--I was reminded how lucky I am to live so close to this trail. I've run on a lot of trails in a lot of cities, and I really think MVT is one of the best. If you're visiting DC, and like being active, I can't think of many better ways to spend the day then biking from the city to Mount Vernon along the trail. You can stop in Old Town Alexandria for lunch on the way out, visit Mount Vernon, and then stop in Old Town again for some ice cream or coffee. And if you're not in the mood for 36+ miles in a day, you could still take advantage of some segment of the trail. The trail gets busy on nice days, but the traffic jams tend to be around certain popular access points, and are avoidable if you get an early start or head out later in the day. Some parts of the trail are better than others, but there's a lot of diversity. The miles closer to Mount Vernon are more woodsy at parts with some rolling hills. The miles closer to the city give you great views of the monuments and the Capitol and are a little flatter (but it's really all relatively flat). For what it's worth, my favorite spots are from Old Town to Dangerfield Marina heading north, and from Belle Haven Park to Northdown Road heading south, probably because those are the two segments of trail that have boardwalks over the marshes. My least favorite part is where the trail goes by the airport, since you are very close to the road, and it's not as pretty, but if you like seeing (and hearing) planes take off and land then it's good for that. I've reviewed a lot of access points for the trail (Lady Bird Johnson Park, Jones Point Park, Teddy Roosevelt Island, Belle Haven, & Gravelly Point), and while they're all pretty good, some are better than others if you're trying to decide where to start. And more importantly some are only accessible from the northbound lanes of the Parkway. read more

This is a great trail that starts from George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Plenty of views along the way of the Potomac River and at times the pavement can get narrow and crowded due to its popularity. One suggestion would be to stay on your side of the pavement due to the many bicyclists on the trail. read more

Mount Vernon Trail - Mount Vernon trail - Parks Near Me - Mount Vernon, Virginia

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Cycling from DC to Alexandria in the Fall on this trail is like being in a Robert Frost poem. The gentle wind off of the Potomac cools you as you glide over the path, sometimes smooth pavement along the river and sometimes rustic wooden bridges through forest glades, the late-afternoon sun filtering through the fiery Fall leaves, boughs arching over the path to form tunnels of soft light and crisp air. The trail starts in Rosslyn near the river, right where the Key Bridge crosses over from Georgetown. Highly highly highly recommended. read more

3.75 stars. I have run various lengths down Mt Vernon trail starting from DC several times, probably 10 times, give or take. Watch out for the holier than thou bikers (some of them at least) who sometimes don't seem to be able to handle the fact that people run here too or yell at you If you don't have a light as soon as it turns just a little dark (you know, sometimes you plan to end before dusk but run a little further). You are not a pro biker so get over yourself and just share the path as you so commonly say to drivers when on the road! Otherwise, the views rock, it is peaceful and for the most part safe. Don't like how it crosses some highways at certain junctures, but otherwise, just be aware of the speedster "pro" bikers and you will be okay. read more

I just discovered that i can bike from my back door to Mount Vernon, how cool is that?! This is the perfect cycling path for someone like me. I like to bike hard, then cruise for a bit, enjoy the scenery, rest in a park, even check out the Capitol dome across the Potomac. Some areas the trail goes through groves of trees, over swamps, along the river, through Old Town and cute neighborhoods so you're never bored. Some areas are confusing, but only through Old Town, as the trail is on surface streets but its easy enough to avoid the cars. Most of it is clearly marked. Also, there are some great features, like an old tunnel through a hill that smells like wet earth and drips after it rains. Loves it. read more