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

  • Leesburg, Virginia

    Hike the Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Loop

    5.0
    1.2 mi / 100 ft gain
    Red 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...
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  • Dickerson, Maryland

    C&O Canal: Whites Ferry to Edwards Ferry

    5.0
    9.84 mi / 243 ft gain
    Park 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!
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  • Fairfax Station, Virginia

    Explore Burke Lake in Fairfax

    4.0
    4.7 mi / 0 ft gain
    Burke Lake Park has something for everyone. Whether you enjoy trail running, hiking, fishing, canoeing, Frisbee golf, or just having a picnic with your family, you can do it all at Burke Lake. Those who want to be active or exercise can run, hike or biket the 4.7 mile trail that circles the entir...
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  • Washington, District of Columbia

    National Mall in Washington D.C.

    4.8
    4.99 mi / 89 ft gain
    Everyone 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...
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  • Manassas, Virginia

    Hike and Explore Bull Run Battlefield

    4.3
    1.2 mi
    Located about 40 minutes from D.C. just off I-66 in Manassas, VA. Henry Hill is the starting point and headquarters that can lead you to multiple trails ranging from 1-5 miles depending on the route you choose here. Ample parking at HQ as well as clean restrooms. Tours are available here. Rolling...
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  • Manassas, Virginia

    Trail Run at Bull Run

    5.0
    4 mi
    Great spot for a run! Very accessible for those in the DC region.  A good starting point is the Henry Hill Visitor Center. If you want to avoid any crowds, start early.  From the Henry Hill Visitor Center, you can't really go wrong (as far as direction is concerned) since most trails can be linke...
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  • Clifton, Virginia

    Hike the Bull Run Occoquan Trail

    13 mi
    The Bull Run Occoquan Trail is located in Fairfax County, Virginia and is 50 miles outside Washington, DC and runs along the Bull Run waterway for 6.5 miles from Bull Run Marina to Fountainhead Regional Park. The blue blazed trail undulates for a total ascent of 1,510 ft and descent of 1,526 ft, ...
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  • Dickerson, Maryland

    Hike the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail

    4.7
    6.05 mi / 1509 ft gain
    Park on Sugarloaf Mountain Drive (as indicated on the map below) to access the trail. It is open from March-November and is dog friendly. 
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  • Washington, District of Columbia

    Visit Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

    4.5
    1.5 mi
    The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are a unique spot in Washington, D.C. The grounds are full of ponds, boardwalks, and a trail that connects you to the Anacostia River Trail. The main draw of this park are the ponds full of lotus flowers. During the summer months, they grow tall with colors ranging ...
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  • Waterford, Virginia

    Hike the Historical Phillips Farm in Waterford

    4.0
    1 mi / 10 ft gain
    This leisurely hike starts at the Old Mill at Waterford in Waterford, Virginia. You can find parking along the side of the road right near the mill.  As you walk down and past the mill you'll see a fence and the beginning of the trail. This is a short, 1 mile hike and almost completely flat. If y...
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  • Knoxville, Maryland

    Explore Point of Rocks/ Potomac River Overlook

    4.0
    0.2 mi / 95 ft gain
    Park at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal parking lot. Walk to the US 15 and cross the road. Trail is not marked, though its faint traces can be detected as you continue on. GPS is recommended. Enjoy the overlook and when you're ready to go back, retrace your steps. 
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  • Lorton, Virginia

    Woodmarsh Trail

    4.0
    2.83 mi / 154 ft gain
    Just at the entrance to Mason Neck State Park is the Woodmarsh Trail. The entire loop is about 3 miles. This is a pleasant easy hike that is relatively flat with no rocks to speak of. The trail wanders through a forest and passes by a large swamp along the Potomac River. There is one well built o...
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  • Laurel, Maryland

    Hike the South Tract Trails at Patuxent Research Refuge

    5 mi
    From the visitors center, start on the Fire Road trail. From there, it's a choose-your-own adventure (choose-your-own ecosystem, actually). Pick the Laurel and Valley Trails to stay in the quiet (and maybe enchanted? It felt enchanted) forest. Goose Pond trail is a short jut to a--yup--pond, wher...
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  • Bluemont, Virginia

    Hike to Hollow Brook Falls

    4.3
    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    This hike will start on the Appalachian Trail and will take you to a beautiful set of falls.  When you arrive at the location you will see numerous spots along the side of the road to park. You'll need to look for the white blaze for the Appalachian Trail (it will head up from the parking area). ...
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  • Bluemont, Virginia

    Bears Den Overlook

    4.3
    1.31 mi / 164 ft gain
    Bears Den is a collection of rocks and boulders that overlooks the Shenandoah Valley in northern Virginia, just off the Appalachian Trail. You have two options to access this overlook: park at the bottom of the mountain and hike up to the overlook via the trail, or drive to the top and access the...
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  • Knoxville, Maryland

    Weverton Cliffs via Appalachian Trail

    4.9
    1.9 mi / 866 ft gain
    The trailhead is located right off Weverton Cliff's Road in Knoxville, Maryland. Park at a Park and Ride on the right side of the road, then walk right out of the parking lot down Weverton Cliff's Road until you see the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail. Follow that trail for 1.5 miles along ...
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