A great spot for casual rides, with plenty of excellent restaurants along the way--perfect for grabbing a bite when you need a break. However, it tends to get crowded on weekends, so be prepared for heavier foot and bike traffic. read more

The Washington and Old Dominion Trail is 45 miles long. I have jogged in Reston and in Herndon. The Herndon portion seems to be busier, but maybe it's because it goes right through the downtown area. It was definitely congested with bikers on the weekend. I mean, huge groups of cyclists. The Herndon part of the trail is not very scenic, it's mainly just greenery. There were a few water fountains and because it's passes through downtown, you can stop for a snack or a drink at any of the nearby shops. There's even a bike store right next to the trail. There's a cute small museum which used to be the train station. I couldn't visit it because it was closed. But I need to check it out. 5 stars. Pretty cool trail. read more

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9/20/20 Today we went for a walk/run/speed walk along the W&OD Trail. While walking and seeing new sights so close to home is a wonderful feeling. I am seriously considering coming back here tomorrow to jog. I need to work up another sweat. The sounds of water running and hearing the sounds of waterfalls off in the distance is music to my ears. I see people from all walks of life and wonder what is going through their minds as they move along the trail path. A lot more people were on the path than the last time we were here. I heard a lot of bikers say "On Your Left" I think of Captain America saying that to his soon to be friend The Falcon. The weather is perfect here and I am glad my wife and I came here today. read more

W&OD Trail - 9/20/20 Nature calls and we stopped for a break. This is what I saw. - Hiking Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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This is the closest major trail to my house so I use it all the time even though it's not as scenic as some others like the Mt. Vernon Trail. It runs from Reston all the way to Shirlington and I'll usually use the area from Falls Church west to past the Beltway or east through Arlington and once walked to Shirlington and back. It's a little weird at first to be under buzzing high voltage power lines but do get used to it. It does get crowded, especially on the weekends, and the combination of walkers, joggers, bikers, roller bladers and people pushing strollers or walking pets (there's a sign that horses are allowed but never seen one) means you need to pay attention to what's going on around you. The Falls Church to Shirlington section doesn't have too many road crossing either which is always a plus. The train caboose in Bluemont Park is pretty interesting, maybe one day I'll pass by when it's open so I can check it out. There are lots of places to get a bottle of water or a snack, or even a meal or a beer so you're never more than a few minutes from the middle of the Northern Virginia suburbs in the Beltway to Shirlington portion of the trail. I'll keep using this trail and hopefully it keeps getting better without getting too crowded. read more

Nice bike parents at one point the whitest I've seen lanes for both directions and Walker and joggers only complaint I would have is that is very well traveled and I am a slow rider read more

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The W&OD Trail and cuts through interesting residential neighborhoods from Reston through Vienna, East Falls Church, and finally ends in Shirlington. It's mostly parallel to the 4 Mile Run Trail, intersecting in a few spots. While I've run several times on the trail, it's really meant for bikers. From East Falls Church to Shirlington is about 7 miles. The trail is mostly flat and some areas are shaded more than others. There are lots of trail heads every 1/2 mile or so. Bluemont Park and around East Falls Church are popular spots to hop on the trail. As other Yelpers have noted, the trail gets crowded over the weekends. Nice residential trail that explores some cool neighborhoods. read more

Excellent bike, walking, nature trail. It's super long and mostly flat, so you're guaranteed a relaxing ride. Along the way you'll see plenty of cool flora and fauna. I also like that there are several bike rentals, repair shops along the way and a lot of outstanding breweries every few miles. But the best part is it's very scenic with several streams along the way. I can't recommend this trail enough. read more

W&OD Trail - Love the flora and fauna on the W&O trail. Relocated this gorgeous little one out of harms way on the trail... - Hiking Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

This trail is my go-to spot for cycling. It's constantly being upgraded, it's maintained well (with especially faster clean up in Arlington after snow and rain), and it makes traveling through the DMV a breeze. It also connects quite seamlessly to the Mt. Vernon trail and other smaller connector trails. We are blessed to have it, because it makes the area way more bike friendly than most. read more

What a spectacular bike ride this was... Started in Sterling and rode to Purcellville and back on a mid-weekday morning, while everyone else was at work and this was the PERFECT time to ride it! I talked to many prior to this ride who all advised this is a beautiful trail, but the many families and folks who walk it with little regard for those riding it (walking across the entire path, not moving, etc) made it not so fun. So, I chose a time when there wouldn't be as many on the trail and that made all the difference in the world! (BTW - Trail etiquette is very important!) Some of the highlights of the ride were the beautiful views, from the horse farms and changing colors of the leaves to the seclusion of the trail with no one around. One of my favs was Sweet Rose Bake Shop at the end of the trail, such a "sweet" way to rewards ones self for such an accomplishment, in my case, it just meant grab a cup of coffee and slice of cake because I was only have way to the finish line, but it provided the nutrients needed for me to finish nicely! Can't wait to ride the W&OD again! read more

W&OD Trail - This is where I started, which was about mid-point in Sterling at the parking lot off of Pacific. - Hiking Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Pros: the trail is easily accessible from all over the NOVA suburbs. There are tons of cafes, bike shops, 7/11s and other stores along the trail, so it's easy to refuel, find a good cup of coffee (or a beer), and even get your bike repaired. The trail is also full of long stretches free of road crossings, so it's the only place in the suburbs you can ride without interruption or do intervals if you're trying to work out. The trail also connects with lots of other regional bike paths like the Custis, Four Mile Run, CCT, and Mt. Vernon trails. Cons: On weekends especially, the trail is crowded in places and can be dangerous. In just the past 8 months I've seen three people on the trail being treated by paramedics after bike wrecks. At peak times, the trail from Arlington to Sterling is busy, so be careful! If you bike on the trail, please warn people before you pass, it's the courteous (and safe) thing to do. read more

Moving to the DC area, one of my top priorities was finding a place to cycle. This is not an easy feat, as cycling is one of those activities that requires fair to long distances of well-maintained, asphalted road with few intersections, while still remaining not boring. The last thing you want while in full aero position, barreling down at nearly 30mph with your brain-bucket leading the way, is a blind intersection playing chicken with a 30 ton Mac truck whose driver hasn't seen sleep in a few days. So, finding the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) trail was akin to finding water in the desert. The W&OD is a 47 mile stretch of perfectly paved, 9 foot wide trail that crawls through Virginia from Shirlington (Arlington) all the way northwest to Purcellville, all the while passing through tons of other 'villes' along the way. This multi-use trail is extremely popular with bikers, joggers, runners, walkers, and anyone who wants a taste of the outdoors. The trail passes through some very scenic areas and never gets boring, as it is lined with trees and brooks and lots of greenery (in the warmer months). There are several places where the trail intersects minor and major roads, but these are exceptionally visible and the major roads enjoy a dedicated light for the weary, way-worn travelers of the W&OD to cross safely. Otherwise, you can fly over the highways via the dedicated skyway bridges of the W&OD without missing a beat. So insofar as cycling goes, this is an excellent track. The first few miles near Shirlington are often busy with other pedestrians and runners, while the further northwest you go, the trail traffic lessens and you can truly open up on the climbs and drops. It can be a nicely challenging trail to cycle, especially going northwest, as the increasing elevation (and headwind) will make you turn those pedals until you feel like you have battery acid flowing through your veins. There area few tough climbs that really make your legs work for their oxygen. The way down, however, is fast paced and much easier, since most of it is 'downhill' and you can enjoy the mostly-southern breeze on your back. Man, I can't say enough about this trail. So, make the trip to this amazing trail system and get your cycle on... or your run on... or your walk, or rollerblade. or whatever the heck it is you like to do. Just get out there. Oh, and please observe trail etiquette. read more

I go biking on the trail almost every weekend that the weather is nice. I usually start in Vienna or Reston and go into Leesburg or Alexandria. I love that the trail can go as far as intersecting with Alexandria or go out past Leesburg. The trail is well maintained, and it's nice that it is family friendly, and there is always trail patrol out monitoring for safety issues or other possibly problems. All the people I've encountered while riding here are really nice and courteous. There are also plenty of water stations and stop off spots should they be needed. It also abuts multiple bike shops (such a Spokes) for anything you may have forgotten or possible mechanical errors. I would check it out if you're a biker/runner or just want a nice place to take a walk on a nice afternoon. If you need to take up some exercise it's a great place to do so. read more

Best trail in the area. Good for running jogging cycling walking and nice evening stroll. I used to go here everyday but have now only once a while but won't miss any chance of going out and staying active. read more

Been running along the Han River in Seoul and was hoping I could find a replacement in Northern Virginia. W&OD has so far been a great trail to run and a everyone who uses the trail has been very respectful. 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