While I can think of more than 5 trails to add to your DC list, I'm making this post short and sweet with a few images I randomly grabbed off my hard drive. Please leave other recommendations in the comments below (Manassas, Scott's Run, Leesylvania, etc.)!
1. Dyke March Wildlife Preserve
- Location // Alexandria, VA - 15 minutes to cross into downtown DC
- Trail // Either take the WO&D trail or walk the Haul Road Trail (1.5 mi/rt)
- Difficulty // Easy
- Best for // Everyone
- Activities // Hiking, walking, running, bird watching, and water sports (kayaking especially)
- Pros // Kayaking opportunities, wildlife (birds), close to Old Town Alexandria
- Cons // Can be busy, hard to park at times, can be muddy
- Location // Washington DC
- Trail // You decide!
- Difficulty // Easy - flat surface
- Best for // Everyone
- Activities // Walking, running, roller blading, etc.
- Pros // Historic, convenience, things to do
- Cons // Crowded, little to no shade, can be hard to park
- Location // Great Falls, VA - 20 minute drive to Washington DC
- Trail // Many but I recommend hiking to Cow Hoof Lookout
- Difficulty // Easy-Moderate - depends on the route you take which can be very rocky
- Best for // Everyone but not all hikes are ideal for everyone - research ahead of time or talk to a Park Ranger
- Activities // Hiking, trail running, and kayaking (VERY experienced only as per the NPS website rapids "vary from Class II (novice) to Class V+ (extreme)."
- Pros // Number of trails, unique overlooks, shaded, picnic areas for family
- Cons // Crowded, requires car to get to, costs money
- Location // Lorton, VA - 30 minute drive to DC without traffic
- Trail // Several trails but I recommend Bay View Trail and Marsh View Trail
- Difficulty // Easy - flat surface
- Best for // Everyone
- Activities // Hiking, water sports
- Pros // Not crowded, variety of trails, water accessibility
- Cons // Can be muddy, location (may require driving on 95), costs money
5. Billy Goat Trail - Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
- Location // Potomac, MD - 20 minutes from DC
- Trail // There are 3 sections - A (no dogs allowed), B and C
- Difficulty // Easy to moderate
- Best for // Parts of certain trails are not easy for all (rocky)
- Activities // Hiking, rock climbing
- Pros // Number of trails, unique overlooks, free national park
- Cons // No actual billy goats on trail, parking can be difficult, crowded