Looking for the best trails around Culpeper?

Explore the best rated trails in Culpeper, VA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Meadowlark Connector Trail and Ox Road Sidepath . With more than 40 trails covering 285 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Recent Trail Reviews

Rocky Run Stream Valley Trail

easy wooded trail

November, 2024 by eklic

I just completed walking the main trail in both directions. Two days of hiking, with about 10,000 steps each day. I started by parking in a shopping mall lot about 1/3 of a mile from the eastern end trail head. In retrospect, the trail is near residential homes. I could have parked on the street and accessed the trail with a public access point. It is a lovely trail. The one downside is that i was never really in the woods. From almost every point on the trail, one can see the back of somebody’s house. This is more pronounced on the eastern half. The prettiest is within Ellanor C Lawrence Park.

Burke VRE Trail

easy walk, pretty walk

October, 2024 by eklic

Easy walk on an asphalt trail. Almost all in trees. 1.4 miles or so up, 1.4 miles back. Easy parking at both ends.

Lake Mercer Loop Trail

Late October is the ideal time for this trail

October, 2024 by eklic

The view from the dam, with the lake and fall colors is magnificent.

Accordion

Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail

The entire Gerry Connolly trail

October, 2024 by eklic

I recently walked virtually every foot of the 40+ mile long Jerry Connolly Cross County trail, in both directions. This includes the part of the route which is not a trail at all, but a 2-mile long sidewalk along a busy road. I would start by driving to a starting point and walk about 5000 steps in one direction, stopping at a convenient point where I could park my truck nearby. Then, I walked back along the same trail. Most of the southern part of the trail, from the Occoquan river to Arlington Blvd is paved in asphalt. Almost all of the northern part, from the Oakmont rec center to Great Falls park is a rough trail. This part would be quite muddy after a rain. Most of the trail parallels a stream, from Difficult Run in the north, to Accotink Creek in the middle, to Pohick Creek in the south. Trail markers range from excellent in some parts to hardly noticeable in other parts. Having Google Maps on a phone app was super helpful at times when I accidently veered from the trail, or was at a point with a fork in the trail. There are several signs along the way with a map of the trail in the near vicinity. These were necessary and helpful when the trail came to an apparent end and the resumption point was several yards away. Almost all of the trail is an easy walk with just a few steep-ish ascents and descents. Most of the trail is really quite pretty. Overall, a very fulfilling experience for me.

Lake Mercer Loop Trail

Enjoy the Silence

September, 2024 by danadominguez75

Great trail. Not too crowded. Lots of shade. We biked the loop with our six-year-old who rides a fixed gear bike. A few hills on the south side were a bit steep, so we did some walking, but the north side was much easier. Definitely going back.

Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD)

The best part of the WOD is west of Leesburg, through Paeonian Springs into tunnels of trees, past farmland, ending at a fabulous barbecue place in Purcellville. Stunning in fall foliage.

September, 2024 by rgurney

The best part of the WOD is west of Leesburg, through Paeonian Springs into tunnels of trees, past farmland, ending at a fabulous barbecue place in Purcellville. Stunning in fall foliage.

Indian Head Rail Trail

Nice trail for walking and biking

June, 2024 by williamlim89

This is a nice trail for walking and biking. There is a good sized parking lot in the Waldorf area and parking along the trail as well. It is definitely worth a visit.

Indian Head Rail Trail

Amazing trail !

June, 2024 by allen.tinasia

I haven’t anything new so I thought I would add one. I love this route! I am an inline skater and it is a very smooth ride. It is not super crowded & very peaceful. The people are really nice & I never have any issues.

Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD)

Another top 10 bucket list ride nationwide !!

May, 2024 by d_morris

From Dupont Circle in DC out to Purcellville in VA is almost exactly 50 miles. So hard core cyclists can do a century, while less extreme pedalers can make a two day trip out of it. And, as there are many Metro stops along the trail, cyclists can also do rides of varying lengths along different sections. An amazingly versatile trail in that regard. All of which — plus the C&O Canal (360 miles r/t from DC to Cumberland), Mt Vernon Trail (42 miles rt from DC to Mt Vernon), Rock Creek Park trail (45 miles rt from DC to Lake Needwood) should make DC the top cycling destination in the US.

Burke Lake Loop Trail

Great Trail

April, 2024 by zxdf4q96ty

The main trail incorporates a mix of asphalt and gravel surfaces with great views. There’s also a number of off-trails that offer more of a trail running experience through the deeper woods. Love this place!

Rocky Run Stream Valley Trail

Beautiful

April, 2024 by zxdf4q96ty

Very calming trail with little to no traffic at 7pm.

Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD)

Great trail, watch out for speeding cyclists

March, 2024 by peter.ortizmarrero

Only did part of the trail from Herndon to Reston. Just watch out for the ‘Lance Armstrong’ wanna bees. Most of them do alert they are coming to your left, so stay to your right and you should be ok.

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