Illustration by Jessie Leiber
Alexandria is a great launching point for several day trips, including hikes in local forests. Here are our suggestions:
TEDDY ROOSEVELT ISLAND
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 5 miles, 15 minutes
Located in the Potomac River near Washington D.C. is Theodore Roosevelt Island and National Memorial. The 88.5 acre island was given to the federal government by the Theodore Roosevelt Association in memory of 26th president. While the island may seem like it flourished naturally over time, it was actually a designed landscape — cleared and replanted to look authentic.
There are three different trails available for hiking at Roosevelt Island, each named after the respective habitats they pass through. The Swamp Trail is a 1.5-mile loop that runs through a cattail marsh and a swampy forest. The Woods Trail is roughly .3 miles and takes hikers right through the center of the island. Along the way, hikers can stop and view the statue and fountains at the memorial plaza. The final trail is the Upland Trail, a .75-mile trail that passes through a forest and circles around the former location of the Mason Mansion. There is a parking lot past Memorial Bridge for visitors with cars but the park can be easily accessed by metro, bike or on foot as well.
For more information, click here.
TURKEY RUN AND THE POTOMAC HERITAGE TRAIL
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 15 miles; 25 minutes
Just off the George Washington Memorial Parkway is Turkey Run and the Potomac Heritage Trail. The Potomac Heritage Trail is a designated National Scenic Trail that connects various trails in Virginia, Maryland, D.C. and Pennsylvania. A section of the trail can be hiked beginning at the trailhead found at Turkey Run Park. Hikers can park at the Turkey Run Park parking lot and then embark on a 4.6-mile that will take them from Turkey Run Park to Scott’s Run Nature Preserve while offering a scenic riverside view. The trail is considered a moderately difficult trail with certain parts being more challenging than others. Alternatively, hikers may also deviate from the Potomac Heritage trail and hike the connecting Turkey Run Loop Trail. This loop trail is moderately rated and about 7.3 miles. It takes hikers along a portion of the Potomac Heritage Trail and cuts through Langley Oaks Park.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Kalista Diamantopoulos
OCCOQUAN REGIONAL PARK
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 19 miles; 25 minutes
(Pictured above.) The Occoquan Regional Park rests along the Occoquan river and offers 400 acres of recreational space, a 2.7- mile paved loop for walking and biking and access to the Fairfax County Cross- County Trail. The full Cross-County trail is 37.1 miles and of moderate difficulty. By following the trail, visitors can hike all the way to Great Falls. Occoquan Regional Park offers multiple parking areas that are open from dawn to dusk.
For more information, click here.
SCOTT’S RUN NATURE PRESERVE
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 18 miles; 30 minutes
Tucked away in the suburbs of McLean is Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, a Fairfax County park. Scott’s Run offers hikers 336 acres of untouched wilderness and multiple trails to enjoy, abutting the Beltway. The preserve features a river and waterfall hike as well as the ruins of a historic home, Burling House, named for Washington attorney Edward Burling who had used the property as a weekend retreat. The 2.2- mile loop offers several trails with difficulty ranging from easy to challenging, with easier trails being appropriate and safe for families with small children. Hikers can park in one of two parking areas, both of which are accessible from Georgetown Pike. Visitors may have difficulty parking on weekends and holidays when the preserve is busier. The preserve is open a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset.
For more information, click here.
GREAT FALLS
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 22 miles; 35 minutes
Sitting along the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County is Great Falls National Park. The 800-acre park offers nine different trails adding up to a total of 15 miles. Visitors can enjoy trails ranging from easy to hard as well as a breathtaking view of the Great Falls cascades which span a distance of 76 feet. The cascades can be viewed from several viewing platforms or from one of the park’s riverside trails. The park offers ample parking space but it is known to fill up quickly on nice weekends, especially when the leaves start to turn. When hiking the Patowmack Canal trail, be sure to look out for the Matildaville ruins, historical remnants of a small Virginia town.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Kalista Diamantopoulos
BULL RUN OCCOQUAN TRAIL
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 25 miles; 40 minutes
(Pictured above.) For those looking for a longer hike, Bull Run Occoquan Trail spans 19.7 miles, running parallel to Bull Run tributary. Hikers can begin either at the Bull Run Regional Park trailhead in Centreville or the Fountainhead Regional Park trail-head in Fairfax Station. The trail can also be accessed at Route 28 near Centreville as well as Bull Run Marina and Hemlock Regional Park in Clifton. The trail takes hikers through beautiful scenic woodlands, streams and ravines throughout the year but during the middle of April, a 1.5 mile stretch of the trail is in full bloom with bluebells and 25 other types of wildflowers. The trail is open from dawn to dusk.
For more information, click here.
MASON NECK STATE PARK
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 20 miles, 45 minutes
Mason Neck State Park in Lorton sits on a peninsula surrounded by Pohick Bay, Belmont Bay and the Potomac River. The Park offers nine different hiking trails, none of which exceed 3 miles. Mason Neck features a variety of landscapes such as wetlands, forests, open water, ponds and open fields all rich with wildlife. Seven of the trails are easy and two are rated at moderate difficulty. Hikers can park their vehicles at parking areas near Marsh View Trail, Dogue Trail, Bayview Trail, Kane’s Creek Trail and Marsh View Trail.
For more information, click here.
SENECA CREEK STATE PARK
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 32 miles; 45 minutes
Seneca Creek State Park is a recreational area roughly 30 miles from the D.C. area. It extends along 14 miles of Seneca Creek and encircles the scenic Clopper Lake. The park is 6,300 acres and offers 50 miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate. Each individual trail ranges from about 1 to 16 miles long. There are 17 parking lots scattered across the park area. The trails run through a picturesque forest of mature pine trees and seas of ferns that cover the forest floor. Fun fact: Seneca Creek State Park was a location for the 1999 cult hit film The Blair Witch Project.
For more information, click here.
SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 50 miles; 1 hour, 5 minutes
Just 10 miles from Frederick, Maryland is Sugarloaf Mountain. The mountain, reaching only about 800 feet, is named Sugarloaf because of its rounded form, resembling a ”loaf“ of sugar (which is how sugar used to be packaged). Sugarloaf offers hikers four different trails: Blue, Purple, White and Yellow. The 5-mile Blue trail, also called the Northern Peaks trail, begins at the West View parking lot. The Purple trail provides hikers with an alternate route to White Rocks. On its own, the Purple trail is about 1.5 miles but as an alternative to the Blue trail, adds about half a mile to the hike. The White trail or Mountain Loop Trail takes hikers on a 2.5 mile hike around the summit. When added to the Northern Peaks trail, the hike increases to 7 miles. The Yellow trail is a 7 mile loop around the base of the mountain. This trail is open to horses and hikers all year-round but open to bikers only from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Roadside parking is prohibited at Sugarloaf Mountain. Instead, visitors should park their vehicles in designated areas.
For more information, click here.
SKY MEADOWS STATE PARK
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 65 miles; 1 hour, 10 minutes
This 1,860-acre Virginia state park near Delaplane offers scenic views, wooded trails and a historic farm. The peaceful spot to the east of the Blue Ridge Mountains has 10.5 miles of bridle trails, 22 miles of hiking trails, plus bike trails and access to the Appalachian Trail. The Sky Meadows Loop Trail (6.2 miles) will take you past beautiful wildflowers and some wooded areas. Your best chance to see wildlife is on the out-and-back Ambassador Whitehouse Trail. The park also includes a children’s discovery area and a sensory trail. Admission is $7 to $10 per passenger vehicle, and there is plenty of parking available.
For more information, click here.
BEAR’S DEN OVERLOOK
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 65 miles; 1 hour, 15 minutes
In search of a breathtaking view? Just off Route 7, Bear’s Den Overlook in Bluemont offers a beautiful vista of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. Hikers can reach the overlook via the Bear’s Den Overlook trail, a short 1.8 mile hike up the Appalachian Mountains (a moderate 280 feet of elevation). From the Snickers Gap trail, hikers can follow a connector trail to the Appalachian Trail which features steep hills. For hikers looking for a challenge, the Raven Rocks trail has three steep ascents and descents.
For more information, click here.
HOLLOW BROOK TRAIL
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 69 miles: 1 hour, 15 minutes
The 860-foot Mt. Weather provides hikers with a relatively short and easy hike. Hollow Brook Trail is 3.8 miles long and features a stream, a pleasant walk to the summit of Buzzard Hill, as well as a scenic waterfall at the top of Hollow Brook. The trailhead is located on Morgan Mill Road. Be aware that parking is limited and keep an eye out for red ”no parking“ signs along the way. This hike is rated easy in terms of difficulty and is perfect for all skill levels.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Jessica Bowser
SHENANDOAH RIVER STATE PARK
Approximate Distance / Time from Alexandria: 69 miles: 80 miles; 1 hour, 30 minutes
(Pictured above.) Located along the south fork of the Shenandoah River, this 1,600-acre park features more than 5 miles of shoreline in addition to scenic views of Massanutten Mountain and Shenandoah National Park. There are more than 24 miles of trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate. About 14 miles of the trails are multi-use and can be used for biking and horseback riding, too. For some of the best views overlooking the river, consider taking the Everett Cullers Overlook Trail or the Wildcat Ridge Loops. There are opportunities for wade fishing (license required), plus camping.
