Things to do / Travel Guide
Washington DC has a number of scenic paved bike routes winding their way through different parts of the city. Several routes begin at the Lincoln Memorial and make their way across the Potomac River into Virginia.
Bikes can be rented at several locations along the river at points along the more heavily- frequented bike routes, some of which also offer bike tours.
Below are some of the more popular bike routes along with brief descriptions of what you're likely to find while pedaling along the trails.
- Lincoln Memorial- Rock Creek Park - This is an 11-mile-long route that winds from the Lincoln Memorial through the park. At times hilly, the path travels through wooded areas with heavy foliage. Large portions of the park's paths are closed to vehicular traffic on weekends and holidays, making this a popular destination for cyclists and joggers alike.
- Capital Crescent Trail - Beginning in Georgetown, this seven-mile-long trail travels through the DC suburb of Bethesda, Maryland along an abandoned railroad line.
- Potomac Park and C&O Canal Park - Shorter paved trails within these parks take riders along the scenic shores of the Potomac River.
- Mount Vernon Trail - An 18-mile-long ride through the Virginia suburbs of DC, this trail eventually arrives at George Washington's former estate.
- Washington and Old Dominion Trail - Located in the hills of northern Virginia, the 45-mile-long trail winds its way through the countryside.
- Chesapeake and Ohio Towpath - One of the northeast's more extensive bike trails, this is a 184-mile-long path along the C&O Canal. As most of the trail is on clay and crushed stone, and as it is exceptionally long, this route is recommended only for more experienced bike riders.
- The BWI Trail - The 11-mile loop around the Baltimore-Washington Airport (BWI) is surprisingly serene despite its close proximity to a major airfield. This biking trail offers the added bonus of overlooking some sections of the runways.
A comprehensive list of additional trails in the Washington DC region can be found at the Bike Washington website.
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