Northern Virginia Hikes and Favorite Bike Trails Near DC

Updated on November 16, 2023 by Julie McCool

Find fun Northern Virginia hikes and trails, from easy strolls to more challenging climbs, in our big collection of hiking articles. Our list includes hiking trails in Northern Virginia and the Washington DC area plus nearby getaways and top biking trails. You can also browse these articles in our Hike and Bike Archive.

Ready to hit the trail? Here are my top picks for the 21 Best Hikes in Northern Virginia, from easy walks to epic trails.

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We will make a small commission from these links if you order something, at no additional cost to you.

I have hiked in Fairfax County for over 25 years and continue to check out new trails. I've enjoyed short hikes with my toddler twins (now adults) and solo hiked the full Fairfax Cross County Trail, the Bull Run Occoquan Trail, and many more.

My focus is day hikes, but you'll also find a 30-mile Shenandpah inn-to-inn hike from a guest blogger below. So please use the distances and descriptions below to find a trail that's right for you.

Articles are grouped by location and themes, with hiking collections first, followed by individual hikes. A hike may appear in more than one article.
Follow the links for trail descriptions, photos, and more details.
Hikes are marked Easy, Medium, or Hard based on distance, elevation gain, and our personal experiences (your mileage may vary).
Distances are for the total hike, whether out-and-back or a loop trail, unless indicated.
The town or city indicates the location of the trailhead.

Read on or jump to your favorite section:

Northern Virginia Hiking Collections
Fairfax County Hikes
Loudoun County Hikes
Prince William County Hikes
Shenandoah Hikes
More DC Area Hikes and Getaways

Northern Virginia Hiking and Bike Trail Collections

Bluebells at Riverbend Park, one of the Best Nature Trails in Northern Virginia — Riverbend Park River Trail

These NoVA hiking collections include a range of Virginia hikes from short walks to long-distance trails. There are trail lists for seasonal hikes, beer and wine lovers, wheelchair and stroller-friendly trails, and more. Some collections focus on a particular feature, like our guides to great views and boardwalk trails. Trail distances, difficulty, and location vary in these collections.

Hikes in Fairfax County, Alexandria, Arlington

Scotts Run Waterfall Hike, One of the Best Hikes in Northern Virginia — Scotts Run Waterfall Hike

Fairfax County offers a wonderful collection of trails in Northern Virginia. Enjoy an easy, short stroll or tackle an all-day hike on three long-distance trails. There are plenty of parks and trails perfect for a family hike with kids, including several that are stroller-friendly. This section also includes hikes in Alexandria and Arlington.

While there are some hilly areas in Fairfax County, none of the hikes here offer much elevation gain. But if you enjoy woodland and riverside views, Fairfax County has some of the best trails and hikes near DC. The Potomac River and numerous Runs (Virginia's name for streams) lead to pretty Northern Virginia waterfalls, water views, and scenic overlooks.

Hike Seneca Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail in Northern VA E — 2 – 4 miles — Great Falls
Potomac Hike: Bluebells and Sycamores at Riverbend Park E — 3 miles — Great Falls
Hike Riverbend to Great Falls Park on an Easy Riverside Trail E — 3 miles — Great Falls
Woodland Loop Hike in Riverbend Park Virginia E — 2.5 miles — Great Falls
Great Falls Park River Trail Hike: Waterfalls and Views Near Washington DC E/M — 1, 2 or 3.5-miles — McLean
Difficult Run to Potomac River on Fairfax Cross County Trai Segment 10 E/M — 2 or 5-miles — McLean
Great Falls Loop Hike: Run Ridge and River M — 3 miles — McLean
Scotts Run Loop Hike on the Potomac Heritage Trail E/M — 3 miles — McLean
Turkey Run Park Hike Along the Potomac River E/M — 2.5 miles — McLean
Dead Run Waterfall Hike on Virginia's Potomac Heritage Trail E/M — 4 miles — McLean
Theodore Roosevelt Island Hike at the Edge of Washington DC E — 2-4 miles — Arlington
Windy Run Hike: A Potomac River Escape Near DC E — 3.5 miles — Arlington
Huntley Meadows Park Wetlands and Boardwalk Trail in Northern VA E — 2-mile — Alexandria
Dyke Marsh and Mount Vernon Trail Hikes Near DC E — 1.5 miles — Mount Vernon
Leigh Mill to Toll Road on Fairfax Cross County Trail Segment 9 E — 6 miles — Vienna
New NOVA Parks Connector: W&OD to Meadowlark Gardens M — 2.5 miles paved — Vienna
2 Scenic Wolf Trap Trail Hikes in Vienna Virginia E/M — 1 – 2.5 miles — Vienna
Visit Meadowlark Botanical Gardens for Year-round Beauty in Northern VA E — variable — Vienna
Woods and W&OD Bike Trail on Fairfax Cross County Trail Segment 8 E — 4 miles — Reston, Vienna
Shade and Streams on Fairfax Cross County Trail Segment 7 E — 6 miles one way — Vienna, Oakton
Sugarland Run Hike on a Streamside Trail in Northern VA E — 4 miles one way — Reston, Herndon
Glade Stream Valley Hike and Walker Nature Center in Reston Virginia E — 3.75 miles — Reston
Lake Thoreau Loop Trail in Reston Virginia E — 2 miles — Reston
Lake Anne Trail: An Easy Lakeside Loop in Reston Virginia E — 2.3 miles — Reston
Play All Day at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston Virginia E/M — variable — Reston
Long Branch Stream Valley Trail E — 4 miles paved — Fairfax
Sidewalk Sun on Fairfax Cross County Trail Segment 6 E — 3 miles paved — Fairfax
Family Hiking Fun at Ellanor C Lawrence Park in Chantilly VA E — 1 to 4 miles — Chantilly
Around Burke Lake E — 5 miles — Fairfax Station
Northern Bull Run Occoquan Trail Hike in Northern Virginia — E/M — 7 miles one way — Centreville, Clifton
Beautiful Virginia Bluebell Trail Hike in Northern VA — E — 1.5-mile loop — Centreville
Bull Run Occoquan Trail Hike and Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton Virginia E — variable — Clifton
Bull Run Occoquan Trail: Fountainhead to Bull Run Marina Hike E/M — 6.5 miles — Fairfax Station
Hike Around Lake Accotink E — 4 miles — Springfield
Mason Neck State Park: Nature and Outdoor Fun in Northern Virginia E — .5, 2, or 4 miles — Lorton
Mason Neck Peninsula Hikes E — .5 to 4 miles — Lorton
Occoquan Regional Park Hike and History in Northern Virginia E — 1 mile —Lorton

Hikes in Loudoun County, Clarke, Fauquier

Thistle and View from the Piedmont Overlook in Sky Meadows State Park VA — Piedmont Overlook View Sky Meadows Park

Historic sites, a section of the Appalachian Trail, and Sky Meadows State Park make for some nice country hiking in Clarke, Fauquier, and Loudoun County. Happily, there are many beautiful wineries and craft breweries to visit after your hike, with several clustered around the trails in Bluemont VA.

Balls Bluff Battlefield Park: Hiking and History in Leesburg Virginia E — .5 – 2 miles — Leesburg
Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Park Hike and History E — 1.2-mile loop — Leesburg
Bears Den Overlook Hike in Bluemont Virginia: Alternate Routes and Tips M — 2 miles or more — Bluemont
Raven Rocks Hike: Appalachian Trail to Beautiful Virginia Views M/H — 5.5 miles — Bluemont
Hike Cool Spring Battlefield to Beautiful Waterfall and Views E/M — 2.5 – 5 miles — Bluemont
Sky Meadows State Park Loop Hike to Virginia Piedmont Views M — 4 miles — Delaplane
Sweet Run State Park Trails E/M — 1 – 11 miles — Hillsboro
Stunning Trillium Trail Hike for Virginia Nature Lovers E/M — 1.2 miles — Linden

Hikes in Prince William County

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, a beautiful boardwalk trail in Northern Virginia — Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Trail

With two National Park sites—Manassas Battlefield and Prince William Forest—there are many trails to explore in Prince William County. The Neabsco Creek Boardwalk is our favorite spot for an easy stroll over an interesting wetland.

Manassas National Battlefield Loop Hike E — 5.5 miles — Manassas
Conway Robinson Forest Hike Through Old Growth Woods in Northern VA E — 3 – 5 miles — Gainesville
Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Trail Hike in Northern Virginia E — 1.5 miles — Woodbridge
Beautiful Blooms Park Trails and Nature in Manassas Park VA E/M — 1 – 3.5 miles — Manassas Park
Leesylvania State Park Hike Through History E — 2 miles — Woodbridge
Explore Prince William Forest Park in Northern Virginia E/M — 1.5 or 4.5 miles — Triangle

Hikes in Shenandoah National Park Virginia

Little Stony Man View Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park and areas to the west offer some of the best hikes in Virginia. The storied Appalachian Trail is here, and Skyline Drive makes it easy to reach many wonderful hikes to viewpoints, waterfalls, and historic sites. To the west are the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and more excellent hiking on the Virginia and West Virginia border.

Shenandoah National Park Day Trip Planner: Things to Do in the Central District E/M/H — variable
5 Ways to Enjoy Fall Foliage in Shenandoah National Park E/M/H — variable
Stony Man Trail Hikes to Beautiful Shenandoah Views E/M – 1 – 4 miles
Marys Rock Hike to Spectacular Shenandoah Views M/D — 7 miles — Shenandoah NP
Rose River Loop Hike: Chasing Waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park Virginia M — 4 miles — Shenandoah NP
DIY Inn-to-Inn Hiking in Shenandoah National Park Virginia M/D — 10 – 30 miles
Big Devils Stairs Hike to a View in Shenandoah National Park Virginia M — 5.5 miles — Shenandoah NP
Hike the Virginia Border to Amazing Views on Big Schloss M/D — 4 miles — Capon WV
Tibbet Knob Hike to Gorgeous Views on the West Virginia Border M/D — 3 miles — Capon WV

More Hikes Near DC Plus Day Trips and Getaways

Sugarloaf Mountain Hike to Maryland Views

Of course, there are many more great hikes in Virginia and areas surrounding Northern Virginia. The articles below cover additional hikes near Washington DC along with Virginia destinations that include nice trails. Many of these getaways can be visited on a day trip from NoVA, but we recommend a longer getaway if time allows.

Local travel is one of the best ways to explore and enjoy the weekend. Follow the links for information on hikes plus more things to do, along with places to eat and stay at each destination.

No matter which hikes you choose to explore, we wish you fun and happy hiking!

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