District of Columbia Bike Trails and Maps

156 Reviews

Looking for the best Bike trails around District of Columbia?

Find the top rated bike trails in District of Columbia, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

City Trails and Maps in District of Columbia

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Activities
Length
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13 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Anacostia River Trail

12 mi
State: DC, MD
Asphalt

Beach Drive (Rock Creek Park)

5 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

Capital Crescent Trail

12.7 mi
State: DC, MD
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

184.5 mi
State: DC, MD
Brick, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Great American Rail-Trail

3743.9 mi
State: DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Klingle Valley Trail

0.7 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

Marvin Gaye Trail

1.9 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

Metropolitan Branch Trail

4 mi
State: DC, MD
Asphalt

National Mall Trails

3 mi
State: DC
Crushed Stone

Oxon Run Trail

3.4 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

Rock Creek Park Trails

8.5 mi
State: DC
Asphalt, Dirt

Suitland Parkway Trail

1.7 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

West Campus Access Road Trail

0.4 mi
State: DC
Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Winding along its eponymous river, the Anacostia River Trail (also known as the Anacostia Riverwalk) is a gem of a trail in southeast Washington, D.C.—a vital recreation and active-transportation...
DC, MD 12 mi Asphalt
Enjoy the natural beauty of our Nation's Capital by exploring Rock Creek Park via pedestrian-only roads! Winding through Rock Creek Park in Northwest DC, three sections of Beach Drive have been...
DC 5 mi Asphalt
Detour Notice: As of September 2017, the Capital Crescent Trail east of downtown Bethesda was closed due to the construction of the Purple Line light-rail system. It is estimated that the reopening of...
DC, MD 12.7 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Following the Potomac River, the C&O Canal Towpath traverses the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park for 184.5 miles between Georgetown in Washington, D.C., and Cumberland, Maryland. For...
DC, MD 184.5 mi Brick, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY 3743.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Klingle Valley Trail spans just shy of a mile in a leafy, residential area of northwest Washington, DC. The trail opened in June 2017 and is accessible to the neighborhoods of Cleveland Park,...
DC 0.7 mi Asphalt
The Marvin Gaye Trail offers a paved pathway through the Deanwood, Burville, Lincoln Heights, and Hillbrook neighborhoods of Washington, DC. Just shy of 2 miles, it runs from Minnesota Avenue NE, near...
DC 1.9 mi Asphalt
The Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT)—a former piece of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O)—serves as a heartbeat of the capital, serving thousands of commuters and recreational trail users as it...
DC, MD 4 mi Asphalt
Explore the National Mall with its iconic monuments and memorials via the wide paths that crisscross the mall's 1,000 acres of greenspace in the heart of Washington, D.C. Enjoy paddle boating on...
DC 3 mi Crushed Stone
Oxon Run is the name of a tributary of the Potomac River in southeast DC, which lends its name to both the trail system and park in which the trail loop is found. The trail on both sides of the...
DC 3.4 mi Asphalt
Closure Notice: The District Department of Transportation and the National Park Service are working on a construction project that began in March 2021 and will affect much of the southern segment of...
DC 8.5 mi Asphalt, Dirt
The Suitland Parkway trail is a short paved multi-use path that runs adjacent to Suitland Parkway in SE D.C. to the border with Maryland. Proposed construction may extend the trail to the Branch...
DC 1.7 mi Asphalt
The West Campus Access Road Trail, the newest rail-trail in Washington, D.C., travels through the sprawling former campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital, now set to become the new home of the Department...
DC 0.4 mi Concrete

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Recent Trail Reviews

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

wonderful ride, just awesome

February, 2023 by ray72

I have done the C&O/GAP trip 4 or 5 times now and loved it every time. everyone is friendly and on the C&O you can go as little or as far as you want per day. Camping areas every 10 miles so you cant get yourself stuck.

I love the GAP but prefer the C&O because its more of a trail vs just spinning away road ridding like always. Much of the C&O feels like you are in the woods away from things but without ever really being far should you need help. its the perfect amount of "adventure" for normal people.

Don't over pack, towns and stops all along the trial. Its flat so its easy to over do it.... but once you hit the PawPaw detour you will question if you really needed the laptop, espresso machine, and mini fridge :)

Test ride your bikes loaded, make sure its still fun to ride and remove the silly stuff you really don't need.

Bring/try and keep 3 water bottles full in case a pump or two is out, and drink more than you think you need to

bring snacks and eat more than you think you need to

ride a bike with around 38c-50c (1.5"-2") tires and do not pump them up to the max pressure listed on the sidewalls. that number on the side of the tire is the maximum and not even close to ideal pressure (google tire pressures for dirt roads on bikes), not a rule, you can totally go with thinner tires, I had no problem with my 32c tires last time but it is far more comfortable with a bit more rubber between you and the trail especially if you don't ride all the time.

Makes me sad when I see people complain about the C&O trail surface, thats why I go.... We have millions of miles of road to ride starting at our doorsteps why make more. Just use the proper tire and pressure for a TRAIL and your golden.



Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Awesome Trail, & this was only the beggining!

November, 2022 by cwiokster

In the last week of October 2022, while heading to N. VA. to attend a hobby show,
I decided to bring along the bike to sample some bike trails along the way.
First stop was the Cardinal Greenway. Next I transited to N.VA via Ohio, Pennsylvania,
W. Va & Maryland. Oct 27 2022, I took My first ride on the "Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
National Historical Park" towpath (here after 'C&O'). By comparison to other trails I've
done, this trail is packed gravel, so a change of wheels/tires was in order. The surface
reminded Me of the Forest Service roads at De Soto NF, so I felt right at home. My start
point was Carderock Recreation Area. The access road actually goes through a tunnel
'under' the canal & towpath! This is milepost 10.5. From there I went west toward mp 16.6,
Swain Lock (lock 21). On the way you will encounter 'the Great Falls' of the Potomac. Stop
and check out the walkway to the Olmsted Island & Falls Overlook. Spectacular, and this is
just 10 miles west of Wasington DC! I then visited the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center, then
returned to Carderock for lunch. After a break, I headed east getting as far as mp 7 (lock 7),
before returning to Carderock. I was running out of time, & decided to save the rest of the
east leg for another day. [21 miles total, and lots of sightseeing!]
After visiting the 24th "International Paper Modelers' Convention" 2022 (the point of the road trip)
on Sunday, Oct. 30th, I decided to Return to the 'C&O', and complete the eastern leg. Starting at
the Lock 8 parking area, walking the bike down a flight of 'stairs', I started the ride at mp 8.3 in the
Seven Locks area, heading east. Soon encountered the Capital Cresent trail, which crosses the C&O
on an old railway bridge, then runs parallel into the city. Just for comparison, I rode the Cresent, which
is asphalt, into town, and the C&O out. With a brief hour of sightseeing by bike around the National Mall
(because I was there) then back to the start. 3 hrs/22 miles. Will return again, as this was just a recon
ride [the whole C&O is 184.5 miles] I only scratched the surface!

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Cumberland south toward Lock 75 is horrible/unridable

September, 2022 by bluegrasslass

Deep, sloshy, watery mud track; not even a trail. What a shame the National Park hasn’t improved this area. The GAP trail going northwest toward Pittsburgh is a dream to ride.

Accordion

Metropolitan Branch Trail

Lovin the Met Branch Trail so far!

August, 2022 by tyronecook

Love the artwork and the close proximity to many rest stops and places to eat & drink. I live in Alexandria, VA so I started on the Mount Vernon Trail, came into the city over the 14th Street bridge. Connected to the 15th Street cycle track to Pennsylvania Ave cycle track toward Union Station. Entered the MBT from Union Station. Looking forward to the continued work past Fort Totten. Felt so good to have all of this dedicated bike infrastructure. And it's only going to get better - so I'm saving that 5th star for the future :)

Great American Rail-Trail

A nice ride. The hub is a good place to start.

August, 2022 by jodieo1

A nice ride. The hub is a good place to start.

Great American Rail-Trail

so good

July, 2022 by fear2321

We took electric scooters and did 16miles of this trail was so beautiful seen 6 deer 5 turkeys will glad go back and explore more

Marvin Gaye Trail

Cool trail

June, 2022 by daroy.perkins

Me and my son ride this trail to get from Capitol heights metro to Minnesota/Nannie Hellen corner.. it has about 4 or 5 crosswalks lol

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

awesome trail

June, 2022 by dug2gld

Awesome trail. Nice scenery with history along the way. Only did point of rock to Brunswick. Stopped at the brewery. Next trip will be to Harpers Ferry.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

C&O round trip

May, 2022 by andybeaire56

We did from Cumberland to DC then from DC back to Cumberland! August 2021 hot as hades in the high 90’s and thunderstorms! Had a blast! Camped the entire way except for 1 day at motel lol needed a shower! Awesome experience with a huge tunnel that we had to walk our bikes through like a mile ! Rode all over the DC area and visited many places ! DC is very bike friendly!

Capital Crescent Trail

The Maryland Goto for a Scenic Bike Ride

April, 2022 by ml14

They allow ebikes as long as one observes the speed limits and rides courteously. Being able to ride to the Mall in DC and back is great exercise too. Path users are courteous and the Pedego Ebike Rental Shop is great when you have guests who want to join you. Bethesda food is a nice reward after the ride too. A favorite trail!

Anacostia River Trail

Tranquilo y sencillo para caminar. El estar junto al río hace muy grata la caminata o paseo en bici.

April, 2022 by atala_ch

Tranquilo y sencillo para caminar. El estar junto al río hace muy grata la caminata o paseo en bici.

Anacostia River Trail

A surprising riverside gem

March, 2022 by bikeridesandbreweries

Starting at Nats Park (home of the Washington Nationals), we crossed the South Capitol Street bridge via a single-lane sidewalk with high railings on both sides. (This has now been replaced by a brand spanking new bridge with white arches that can be seen throughout the city.) On the southwest side of the Anacostia River, we encountered a surprisingly pastoral riverside trail that winds past playgrounds, basketball courts and a large outdoor roller-skating pavilion on the right. On the left, we could see boats motoring past the Navy Yard high rises and riverfront cafes, then further down, small marinas tucked into the wooded shoreline. Traffic on the trail was (and is always) very light with a few walkers, a few bikers and occasionally, a few fishermen hauling their tackleboxes, fishing rods and folding chairs to the water’s edge.
The trail meanders for about five miles before the exit to Benning Road which leads back to the Navy Yard on the opposite side of the river. But we recommend continuing on the trail for another five miles through lush forests and open marshlands, along quiet “country” roads (which are surprising in Washington, DC), past neighborhoods and athletic fields, and over wooden pathways that hug the shoreline. Our turnaround point was at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park, maybe two miles over the Maryland state line. There is a water bottle filling station and restroom there – along with a Dinosaur Walk. (Who knew?)
We returned to Benning Road to cross over the river and to pick up the trail, now on the northeast side of the Anacostia River. The return ride is visually interesting, but confusing. Rule of thumb: bear left whenever presented with a choice.
Navigating the Navy Yard area can be a bit challenging as residents and tourists crowd the outdoor cafes and spill out onto the expansive promenade. This wide swath of concrete and wood extends from the base of the Naval facility to Nats Park, an approximately half-mile stroll or slow, careful bike ride, past a very popular brewery.

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