Mount Vernon Trail

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The Mount Vernon Trail is a popular running and bike path in Northern Virginia that runs from near Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon. The path runs through parts of Arlington and Alexandria. The trail runs a similar path as the southern portion of the George Washington Parkway. The northern portion of the trail has scenic views of Washington D.C. from the south bank of the Potomac River, before arriving at Ronald Reagan National Airport. There are clear views of airplanes taking off and landing from Gravelly Point, a popular picnicking area. The path continues south into the Old Town neighborhood of Alexandria and requires riding on the street with vehicle traffic. Outside of town the path continues and passes through Dyke Marsh before becoming quite hilly and curvy before arriving at Mount Vernon. A Revolutionary War era fort, Fort Hunt is also along the path in Fort Hunt Park. Via connectors, the trail connects to other bike paths including Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail (via either the Four Mile Run Trail or the Custis Trail) (the W & OD Trail extends west 53 miles to Purcellville, Virginia); the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath which extends 185 miles to Cumberland, Maryland; the Capital Crescent Trail which goes north 11 miles to Silver Spring, Maryland, and the Rock Creek Trail which ends near Lake Needwood in Montgomery County.