Potomac Heritage Trail:
Virginia
Trail Map
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Description:
The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail was designated a unit of the National System by an act of Congress in 1983. The Potomac Heritage Trail Association is working to compete the entire proposed 704-mile trail which will trace outstanding natural and cultural features of the Potomac River Basin in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

The section of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHT) located in Virginia parallels the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) and extends from Theodore Roosevelt Island north to the American Legion Bridge. This ten mile stretch of the PHT, which winds along the Potomac River through the steep rocky hillsides of the palisades and through forested stream valleys, is maintained by members of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Most of the route is fairly level, with short, steep ascents and descents. The many streams are crossed by stepping on rocks; they can be icy in winter and muddy year round. Sycamore, oak, poplar, and beech trees shade most of the trail in summer. In every season of the year, the PHT offers hikers a tranquil walk through the "wilderness" inside the Beltway.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Theodore Roosevelt Island is located just across the Potomac River, via the Key Bridge, from the Georgetown neighborhood in Washington, DC. The northern trailhead for the Mount Vernon Trail is also located here.

Metro Access: Walk to the right (east or downstream) side of Key Bridge from the Rosslyn Metro (about two blocks) and turn right on the bike trail that leads to a pedestrian bridge over the GW Parkway to the Potomac River bank. Go upstream next to the river. Trail markers begin about a quarter-mile upstream.

Copy and paste this website link into a new broswer to see a Trail Map: www.nps.gov/gwmp/ppmaps/pht_map.gif
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