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CURRENT STATUS:
Hours on the W&OD Trail vary depending on which portion is used. W&OD Trail hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Shirlington in Arlington County, all the way to the western town limit of Herndon in Fairfax County. Beyond that, users must obey dusk mandates.
TRAIL
Often called the skinniest park in Virginia, Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Parkis a paved trail between Shirlington and Purcellville, Virginia. Run, cycle or skate the 45-mile route along the former roadbed of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, which runs through the urban heartland and into the Virginia countryside. Equestrians can ride the adjacent 32-mile gravel horse trail. The W&OD trail has multiple parking areas, enabling you to jump on and off the trail at various points.
Please note: Schools are back in session and many children use the W&OD Trail to walk or bike to school. Please be courteous and use caution when you pass these groups of children.
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TRAIL
Trail Events Application
Friends of the W&OD Trail
Become a Friend of the W&OD Trail and help support the maintenance and enhancement of one of Northern Virginia's favorite natural, recreational and transportation resources. Your membership dues go directly into projects that will improve the W&OD Trail for you and the two million other walkers, runners, cyclists, bladers and equestrians who enjoy the Trail each year. As an added "thank you," if you join at the $50 "Contributor" level or higher, you will receive a special, trail-related gift. Click on the membership type of your choice below. To learn more about the Friends of the W&OD Trail, click here, or visit www.wodfriends.org
| Memberships | Cost |
|---|---|
| Individual Buy Now | $20.00 |
| Family Buy Now | $30.00 |
| Contributor Buy Now | $50.00 |
| Patron Buy Now | $100.00 |
| Benefactor Buy Now | $250.00 |
| Corporate Buy Now | $500.00 |
Parking/Access Points
The W&OD Trail runs 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville. There are numerous access points with parking, or users can simply walk on or off at a point of their choosing.
SHIRLINGTON
Take I-395 to the Shirlington exit, bear to right heading north, go to second stoplight. Turn left on South Four Mile Run Drive. The W&OD Trail will be on the right paralleling the road. You can park along the side of the road. Not recommended for leaving your car overnight.
ARLINGTON
Bluemont Park in Arlington has 2 lots. One is at Manchester and 4th Street, north of Route 50/ Arlington Boulevard just west of Carlin Springs Road. The other is off of Wilson Boulevard, just west of the Bon Air Rose Gardens and tennis courts, on the south side of the road.
VIENNA EAST
Take Route 123 into Vienna, turn on Park Street (left if coming from Tysons Corner). Turn right into the Vienna Community Center parking lot. The trail runs between the parking lot and the center.
VIENNA WEST
Take Route 123 into Vienna, turn on Park Street (right if coming from Tysons Corner). Turn left at four-way stop sign onto Church, turn right onto Mill Street. Turn left onto Ayr Hill Road and then left into the parking lot at the train station.
RESTON
Take Route 7 west, turn left onto Reston Parkway. Turn left onto Sunset Hills Road, then left onto Old Reston Avenue at the 7-11 store. There is a paved parking lot on the right by the trail. There is also a large commuter parking lot next to the trail further down Sunset Hills Road, although this is usually full on weekdays.
HERNDON
Take Elden Street to Station Street (right turn if you are coming from Route 7). At the end of station street pull down towards the large town municipal center parking lot.
STERLING/PACIFIC BOULEVARD
This is a 70 space lot with horse trailer parking 3 miles north of Dulles Airport. From Route 28 take Waxpool Road (Route 625) westbound, turn right onto Pacific Boulevard, pass over the W&OD Trail bridge and turn left into the parking lot access road. Or from Route 28 take Nokes Boulevard (Route 1793) westbound, turn left onto Pacific Boulevard and turn right into the parking lot access road just prior to the W&OD Trail bridge.
ASHBURN
A 40 car parking lot for W&OD Trail users at the trail intersection at Ashburn Road in Loudoun County. This lot is just on the opposite side of the trail from the famous Partlows Brothers Store, near Mile Marker 27.5.
LEESBURG
Take Route 7 west into Leesburg, turn left onto Sycolin Road. Turn immediately right into the parking lot for the Douglass Community Center and park in the rear of the building. The trail is directly behind the building through the picnic area.
LEESBURG WEST
Take Route 7 west into Leesburg past the Douglass Community Center and turn left on Catoctin Circle. Follow that road until you turn left on Dry Mill Road. Turn immediately right into the parking lot of Loudoun County High School. The trail is several hundred yards further down Catoctin Circle. Only for parking on weekends during the school year. Horseback riders are requested to clean up after their horses in the parking lot.
PURCELLVILLE
Take Route 7 West. Exit the Bypass at Route 287; turn left. Turn right onto Hirst Road, then left on Maple Street. Turn left into the parking lot of Loudoun Valley High School. Only for parking on weekends during the school year. Horseback riders are requested to clean up after their horses in the parking lot.
PURCELLVILLE WEST
Route 7 to exit for Route 287. Go south to Purcellville. Turn right onto business Route 7 ("the Pike"). Turn right onto Hatcher Street, right into gravel parking lot at trail.
