Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Dale City, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Good pavement, gentle inclines, wildlife, views, benches. Only drawback is crossing multiple busy roads.
Rode 12 miles today. Started at Bloomsbury Rd., went to milepost 6 (2 miles past Comorn Rd) and turned around. The 4 miles out and back from Comorn Rd seemed more like for mountain biking. Very rough with deep rocks and many exposed roots and RR ties. On the Bloomsbury end there is still rail in place and you must cross the uneven exposed rails once. 2 of the 6 bikers we saw had accidents crossing the rails.
My first time on this trail today and I was not disappointed! Each trail has a personality and I would say that the WB&A is the back country cousin of the the more metro B&A trail over by Annapolis. Lots of tunnels and bridges make this interesting, and the steep, serpentine descent on pristine new blacktop going south to the new bridge was exhilarating and frightening at the same time. A super ride out and back. I parked at the Electric Ave Lot at mile 1. The map shows a restroom (Jiffy John), but I didn't see any on my trip today. The closest one starting at the southern end was at the parking lot at 8609 Race Track Rd, Bowie, MD. The splash park did not have an external restroom that I could find.
This is a great trail. Shaded and flat. It could use some more signage, though, to help identify right and lefts.
We started at Lake Needwood which had great parking. The trail is not well maintained. It is bumpy most of the way south. It looks like there has been some attempt to patch the asphalt but the transitions were not smoothed out so many jarring bumps. Also tree roots have pushed up the trail which is not unusual but given all the other bumps it was annoying. Also be aware that from Lake Needwood - it is downhill so if you are returning to the same spot, you will have an uphill climb which is not too bad.
there are some really old bridges that go over the C&O. the highlight is the paw paw tunnel. better to walk through it. once you hit little orleans, i suggest going on the western maryland trail. it is fully paved and nice.
hancock is a great town
Multiple spots to stop. Most of the trail is shaded. There are some beautiful spots to stop on either end of the trail. Never over packed. I always see a ton of wildlife, which my kids love. It's not hard to bike, mostly flat.
The trail is 100% paved and takes you along the Anacostia River. I like that this trail has a good mix of city elements and natural beauty. The Kenilworth aquatic gardens are a wonderful stop early in the trail, you get to see a lot of swamp flowers. Later, closer to Dc you are taken up to the Fredrick Douglas memorial bridge. The large white arches of the bridge are breathtaking. There are many places to eat diner once you make it to Dc. I stopped at Gordon Ramseys fish and chips. Great trail!
Starts at a dam and has some hills. It is not bike/stroller friendly. Hiking boots are better. Sneaker can be a challenge especially after rain. Dumps off into a neighborhood and you pick it back up. About a 4 mile loop.
I have used this trail a few times to commute from the Arlington, VA area into the district. It is convenient but could use a repaving. The paved path is bumpy (It looks like tree roots grew to create the wavy in the path). The first time I rode it I was pulling my dog and the wavy ness of the trail actually broke the bike rack connecting the dog trailer from the bumps. 3 years later from when by rack broke, the path has only gotten more wavy.
This trail is also hilly so you will get a workout. Going from Ballston to DC it was more downhill and rather easy, coming back the hills were somewhat steep. A good workout but not overly difficult.
On a side note: If you are visiting DC, I strongly suggest using the bike trails in DC, around DC, and all the trails in the surrounding areas. Every Smithsonian has bike racks to lock up your bike while visiting the museums. It is a great way to see the monuments, museums, and the mall without miles of walking. Today I first went to Library of Congress (to do some research), then to National African American Museum, and to the Native American Museum. I rode about a mile between the two museums which was much easier than walking.
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