Mount Vernon Trail:
Virginia
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Description:
The 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail is one of the Washington, D.C. Metro area's most popular trials. Just across the Potomac River from D.C. in Virginia, the trail links Theodore Roosevelt Island Park with George Washington's Estate in Mount Vernon. The trail follows the course of the Potomac, passing through parks, yacht clubs, wetlands, neighborhoods, towns and wooded acres.

The trail is mostly paved but some sections are boardwalk. In many places the winding trail is narrow, and because it is heavily used (especially on weekends), all recreationists—whether on foot, skates or bike—must use caution when passing others and when entering the trail from any of its many access points. Cyclists must dismount at a some bridge crossings.

At the midpoint of the Mount Vernon Trail, navigating Old Town Alexandria can be tricky. You have two routes to choose from, both of which are on-street. From north to south, one route follows E. Abingdon Drive to Bashford Lane to Royal Street. Or you can simply ride along George Washington Memorial Parkway and pick up the trail again south of I-95/495 (on the river side of the road). The other route, more preferred by some, veers to the left (coming from the north) and picks up Union Street. From here you have easy access to Alexandria's waterfront parks, restaurants and shops. The marina boardwalk area is lively will all kinds of entertainment year-round but mainly between Memorial Day and Labor Day. You can return to the trail at the end of Union Street near the nice townhomes along the river.

Recently, a superb multi-use, wide, paved trail flanks the northern side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (I-95/495), taking you across the Potomac River to National Harbor in Maryland. Here you'll find dozens of shops and restaurants, not to mention the occasional waterside entertainment (water-ski shows and boating events).

Heading south from Alexandria, the Mount Vernon Trail passes under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and through more parks, marshlands and tidy neighborhoods. You can also take the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail over the river to National Harbor, a great side trip. As you near the Mount Vernon Estate, the trail begins a steep climb through the forest to the estate, where it ends in the parking lot for the estate grounds. On a hot summer day you can slake your thirst at the visitor's center and rest in the shade of the trees.

At the northern end of the trail, at the parking lot for Roosevelt Island, you can explore the island park's ring trail via a footbridge the river. Also, from here, you can take a pedestrian bridge over the road and pick up the Custis Trail, which leads to the W&OD Trail.

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Parking & Trail Access:
You can access the Mount Vernon Trail from numerous places along its route. The three main access points are:

Theodore Roosevelt Island: Access via the northbound lane only of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Parking can be limited on weekends.

Old Town Alexandria: Access from I-495; take the Patrick Street/US 1 Exit north and follow the signs to downtown. Or take I-395 to the King Street/SR 7 Exit and head east (south), following the signs into town.

Mount Vernon Estate: Access at the southern terminus of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. For information on more access points, visit the National Park Service website http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/mvt-trail-accessibility.htm).

The Mountain Vernon Trail is also accessible from Washington, D.C. Metro stations on the Blue and Orange Lines. The Park Service website has more information, or you can visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (http://wmata.com/).

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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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Mt. Vernon Trail, August '11
By zogbiker in August, 2011
I rode this trail with my girlfriend on a Friday evening starting from around the intersection of routes 1 and 120, in Alexandria, VA and it was wonderful. Here is the link to my ride stats and map generated by my Garmin Edge 500 computer: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106009753

I think because it was Friday and in the evening, there were fewer people on the trail compared to weekends and the more northern section closer to D.C. (which generally has lots of varied traffic - walkers, kids, pets, super fast bike racers, and so on). The last two miles heading into Mt. Vernon are mostly uphill and some areas like the last few hundred yards reached about a 7% grade, so drop to your lowest easy gears and keep peddling! The 0-mile marker is located as you enter into parking area slightly obscured by trees from the visitor center where you can buy refreshments and use the rest room (highly recommended). Along the trail you will find several other "sanitary" facilities for mother nature's call, but the two we visited (one traveling south, the other on our way north) were a bit stenchy in the hot summer weather.

We loved the steep hilly inclines of the last three miles because you can pick up good speed to the point that it makes getting up the next hill a lot easier if you can keep your momentum up. Personally, I found it easier to climb the hills by keeping my cadence closer to 100 so that the bike did more work than my body. It takes a lot of shifting, but it pays off. The varied surfaces combine greatly different scenery as you ride along the picturesque Potomac, over boardwalks in swampy sections into densely wooded areas, and through upscale neighborhoods. Old Town is quaint and very pleasant - just watch for peds and cars!

I'd also suggest you eat a high protein diet several hours before riding this one - you'll need the energy. Bring as much water as you can and stay hydrated. A protein bar at the end is a great way to re-fuel for the ride back. When leaving Mt. Vernon, heading north, you'll enjoy the downhill portions immensely as they offer more recuperation time needed to make it the rest of the way...

Two Thumbs Up for this trail!
nice yet busy
By Farry in November, 2010
Rode out and back on a nice but cool fall day. The Washington end was very crowded with joggers bikers and walkers. as we progressed eastward the crowd thinned out to a more acceptable level. Most people were courteous with the exception of the wannabe Lance's who past on turns and with oncoming bikes and pedestrians giving the rest a bad name. With this trail this was unacceptable due to the crowd. Most joggers seemed to be totally absorbed with their ear plugs shoved deep into their ears to the point of not hearing you but they were at least to the sides so passing was not an issue.
Great Trail, Horrible People On It
By tommye in August, 2010
This trail is a marvel of engineering. It has variety, goes through dense wooded areas, along the Potomac, around the National Airport, through Old Town Alexandria, across from the National Mall, and has breathtaking views all along the way, from Rosslyn to Mt. Vernon. The trail is well paved, clearly marked and beautifully maintained. There are several rest stations with water (when they are working) every few miles. But, be warned, on weekends it is crowded with weekend athletes, pedestrians, kids, and worst of all, wannabe Lance Armstrongs in their obnoxious spandex outfits, racing along the trail, making it an often dangerous and tricky place to ride. These men and women have little regard for others, display a complete lack of trail etiquette, and speed much faster than they have any business to on such a popular path. I live in Alexandria and make a point of staying away on weekends. But mornings on weekdays are wonderful.
Entrance to Washington Sailing Marina
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Rossyln (Theodore Roosevelt Island parking area) to Mount Vernon (George Washington's Estate)
Counties: Arlington, Fairfax
Trail Length: 18 miles
Trail Category: Greenway/Non-RT
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6032473

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic rail-trails in RTC's Mid-Atlantic Guidebook.