What is It? – Residents of the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia are enthusiastic about biking, hiking, jogging, walking, and kayaking. The best way to enjoy the region’s beauty and interesting neighborhoods is to travel a portion of the eighteen mile long, paved Mount Vernon Trail. The trail’s scenic vistas of the wide Potomac River combined with the area's national parks, local parks, and historic landmarks provide suitable locations for all these outdoor activities that visitors can enjoy too. 

There are two ends of the trail. The first end is on an 89-acre island in the middle of the Potomac located south of the Key Bridge along the George Washington Parkway known as the Theodore Roosevelt Island recreation area. The other end is just outside the parking lot for the Mount Vernon Estate of George Washington. In between there are places where hikers can park and enter the trail including right in center of Old Town Alexandria. 

Walk Options- A roundtrip on the trail requires thirty-six miles of biking or running ten miles farther than a marathon. One of the most popular areas for walkers and joggers is to travel the six-mile segment that begins at Gravelly Point just prior to Reagan National Airport and proceeds south to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. I hiked that route with a friend recently and enjoyed it very much. Some of the sites you will see along this route include:

• Reagan Airport – The trail runs surprisingly close to the airport and in several places, you can watch planes take off and land or taxi around the tarmac.

• Scenic Wetlands- Just south of the busy airport you find yourself crossing over a scenic wetlands field on an elevated boardwalk with views of the wildflowers and an interesting habitat.

• Washington Sailing Marina - The Washington Sailing Marina has been a popular destination for generations of sailors who like to take sailboats, kayaks, paddleboats, and other small craft into the river for water adventures, Home to more than six hundred vessels, the marina also has full services for powerboats.

• Potomac River Power Station- After two miles or so the trail turns towards the river and passes behind a huge, abandoned industrial building surrounded by fencing. For more than 60 years, a coal fired power plant known as the Potomac River Generating Station relied on a steady stream of coal trains to operate an electric generating plant on the 20-acre site. After considerable discussion, the new owners plan to demolish the buildings and power structures and construct a “mix use development with housing, public green space, restaurants and art installations.”  If successful, this location could become another one of the successful business offices and apartment buildings located on the riverbank north of Alexandria.

• Old Town Alexandria – The Mount Vernon Trail effectively offers two routes through the middle of historic Old Town Alexandria. The riverfront route takes you along the shore on paved trails that pass by streets full of colonial homes and modern townhouses, multiple parks with benches and playgrounds, waterfront cafes and restaurants, and other attractions. It is a relaxing place to walk a dog, go for a jog, or meet up with friends. Two blocks inland is the interior section of Old Town where fashionable King Street beckons you to shop, eat, take in some arts and crafts at the Torpedo Factory gallery and workshops, have some ice cream, and abandon your exercise.

Difficulty - Walking the trail can be classified as an easy hike and guide services are not required. Dogs on a leash are permitted but motorized vehicles of any kind are not allowed. Although most of the route has a center line, care should be taken to watch for fast cyclists passing by. 

When to Go - The beautiful scenery of the surrounding area makes the Mount Veron Trail an attractive spot for walking from March to early November. I walked there during a summer heat wave with a friend. The shade trees and light breeze along the river provided welcome relief from the 85-degree temperatures that week in Virginia.

Where to Stay- There are many excellent hotels in Alexandria and the northern Virginia neighborhoods along the trail. The Indigo Hotel is a boutique hotel with a modern feel that is one block from the center of Old Town Alexandria and one block from the riverfront portion of the trail. With an excellent location in the center of the trail with good service for guests and fine dining restaurants and cafes nearby, it is preferable to the brand hotels uphill downtown. 

How to Get Here - The Mount Vernon Trail is conveniently located only a mile or so to the east of Interstate 395 and passes under Interstates 95 and 495 at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. In addition, there are five or six metro stops close to the trail. These are shown on the National Park Services map of the trail. https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/upload/Mt-Vernon-Trail-map-508-2021.pdf.