Great Falls, Virginia
Looking for the best hiking in Great Falls? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Great Falls. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Great Falls
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McLean, Virginia
Photograph Great Falls of the Potomac
5.00.69 mi / 131 ft gainViewing Great Falls is easy which makes this adventure great for all levels of adventurers. There is a ~$10 entrance fee, there you will receive a map of the park. There are 3 platforms of viewing Great Falls, each platform has stunning panoramic views. Make sure you do not forget to bring your ...Read more -
Potomac, Maryland
Great Falls and the Billy Goat Trail
4.54.61 mi / 272 ft gainJust outside of Washington DC is a great hike and rock scramble you don't want to miss. Great Falls lies in both Virginia and Maryland and has beautiful views of the Potomac River. Start out at the Great Falls Tavern parking lot (Maryland side), and keep in mind it is $10 to park here if you don...Read more -
McLean, Virginia
Difficult Run, Ridge, and River Trails
4.53.28 mi / 463 ft gainDifficult Run is a popular hiking location right down the street from Great Falls National Park. Starting at the Difficult Run parking lot you head to the trail at the far end of the lot. The trail will split. The green blazes will take you to the left but you can also stay to the right and hike ...Read more -
Great Falls, Virginia
Hike from Riverbend Regional Park to Great Falls National Park
5.02.5 mi / 75 ft gainThis hike utilizes the Potomac Heritage Trail from Riverbend Park to Great Falls National Park. This section is an easy, mostly flat trail that will take you along the Potomac until you reach Great Falls National Park. When you reach Riverbend Park turn right into the parking lot. At the end of t...Read more -
McLean, Virginia
Scott's Run Nature Preserve Loop
4.22.51 mi / 397 ft gainThis nature preserve can be hiked year-round and is a sanctuary for rare wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife including deer and fox. There are six main interconnecting trails that run through the preserve; winding their way around matured hardwood forest, sheer bluffs, and rocky cliffs overloo...Read more -
McLean, Virginia
Hike at Turkey Run Park, McLean
4.02 mi / 200 ft gainTurkey Run Park is available to hikers year-around and is located just off of George Washington Parkway in McLean, Virginia. The exits are clearly marked and you simply drive to parking lot C-1 to start this hike.Turkey Run has numerous trail options available but I chose an out-and-back. When yo...Read more -
Sterling, Virginia
Washington & Old Dominion Trail and Broadlands Ramble
5.019.55 mi / 863 ft gainWashington & Old Dominion Trail and Broadlands Ramble is a point-to-point trail where you may see local wildlife located near Ashburn, Virginia.Read more -
Derwood, Maryland
Hike, Bike, or Run the Lakeside Trail and Muncaster Mill Trail
4.53.41 mi / 196 ft gainPark at the Meadowside Nature Center to Access the trailhead. This is a 3.4 mile loop with opportunities for birding and observing wildlife. Dogs are welcome on leash.Read more -
Washington, District of Columbia
Hike the Soapstone Valley Trail
4.02 miThis is an out-and-back trail that starts and ends on different roads, but you will have better luck parking on Albemarle Street NW (where I have indicated the trailhead is on the map). This is a long street with plenty of street parking, just pay attention to the signs to see how long you can le...Read more -
Boyds, Maryland
Hike or Bike the Hoyles Mill Trail
9.16 mi / 390 ft gainPark on Clarksburg Road (see map) and head onto the marked trail. It can get muddy at times so pack accordingly. Great for kids, and dog friendly too.Read more -
Boyds, Maryland
Black Hill Regional Park Loop
5.02.78 mi / 312 ft gainThe Black Hill Regional Park has 1300 acres of oak forests that have views of the Little Seneca Lake. This lake offers a place for visitors to canoe and stand up paddle board. This trail is open to hiking and mountain biking. In addition, dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be on leash a...Read more -
Montgomery Village, Maryland
Hike the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Upper Section
5.014.86 mi / 836 ft gainPark in the lot off of Watkins Mill Road to access the trail. This hike is dog friendly and is accessible from March until November.Read more -
Arlington, Virginia
Hike Theodore Roosevelt Island
4.32 miIt seems only fitting that the president who gave us our national parks would have one all to his own. Located on the edge of Washington D.C., Theodore Roosevelt Island offers a glimpse of what the city may have looked like before the politicians, before the marble buildings, before the traffic-...Read more -
Leesburg, Virginia
Hike the Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Loop
5.01.2 mi / 100 ft gainRed Rock Wilderness Overlook provides 60+ acres of trails to explore right in Leesburg, Virginia. The site is home to some ruins and buildings from the late 1800's and is a wonderful spot for picnics, hiking, trail running, and geocaching.The preferable loop is to take the trail that leads straig...Read more -
Washington, District of Columbia
Visit the National Mall in Washington D.C.
4.67 miEveryone has so many things on their plates these days that take all their time up. It is hard to get away for adventures or to experience new things. The National Mall in Washington D.C. is within an hour from millions of people on the East Coast. This centralized location makes the National Mal...Read more -
Dickerson, Maryland
Hike along the C&O Canal: Whites Ferry to Edwards Ferry
5.010 mi / 165 ft gainPark in the lot on Whites Ferry road and hop on the Chesapeake Ohio towpath. This is an out-and-back so you can make it as short as you want or up to 10 miles. Great for familes and dog friendly!Read more