Posted in D.C.
April 16, 2017
The 9 Most Beautiful Bike Trails You Can Take In Washington DC
Biking is a popular pastime in DC. The Capital Bike Share program makes it easy to pick up bikes throughout the city and take them for a ride and return them. If you don’t want to spend all of your time dodging traffic biking in the city, we recommend checking out the 9 best bike trails in Washington DC.
Mount Vernon is one of the best rides in DC. It’s an 18 mile ride from Roosevelt Island to George Washington’s Mount Vernon and it provides beautiful views of different parts of the city. There are also many shops and restaurants along the route so you can take a break for a quick bite or a refreshing drink before continuing on your way.
The trail will take you from Georgetown to downtown Silver Spring. This 11 mile trail was once part of the B&O Railroad. But it’s a nice flat ride with plenty of trials and beautiful overlooks along the way.
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail is an easy 1.1 mile trail from Alexandria to Prince George’s County in Maryland. There are "bump out areas" located along the trail that offer cyclists benches to rest on on, as well as, information displays and photo opportunities. The trail also offers access to National Harbor.
Otherwise known as the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, this huge trail has 45 miles of paved roads for bikers. It technically starts in Northern Virginia and will take you out west past Leesburg. Along the way, you will pass plenty of charming towns and suburbs with shops and restaurants.
This is a multi use trail that stretches all 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Glen Echo. It’s not a smooth, paved ride the entire way but you will see gorgeous views of nature and plenty of wildlife along the way.
Hains Point has plenty of flat road and straightaways to get your bike cruising. It’s only a three or five mile loop but along the way you will ride past pretty cherry blossoms and views of the Potomac River and Washington Monument.
The Metropolitan Branch Trail isn’t the prettiest trail on the list but it is a nice 8 mile ride that will take you through many different neighborhoods in the Distrist and some cool mural artwork.
The Rock Creek trail loop is a definite must-do if you love biking and are in DC. The trail is often crowded but you will get a good work out and can access attractions like the National Zoo and the Equestrian Center.
This is another trail that is technically just outside the district in Wheaton Maryland. It’s a 10.6 mile trail that is well paved and is a fun option for families as you pass by many different playgrounds along the route.
So will you take a ride on one of the best bike trails in DC?
If you love exploring outdoors in DC, you should plan a trip to the best outdoor attraction in the area.
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