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Bull Run Occoquan Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 224 Google reviews · Running trail in Clifton, Virginia · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Bull Run Occoquan Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Lengthy, riverside forest trail for hiking & horse riding, with remains of Civil War earth forts.
What runners say about Bull Run Occoquan Trail
“Very beautiful and relaxing trails, does have hills so not for the faint of heart”
“Very nice hiking trail, lots of shade and greenery.”
“The trail is well-marked, but downloading an offline map is a good idea due to network instability.”
“It was a quiet trail and we only passed five people but we did start at 1:30 pm on a 90 degree day.”
I went with my no one year old son and we parked at Bull Run and then walked down a slight incline into the woods. As you head out, you can hear cars but the further you go, the sound disappears. It was a quiet trail and we only passed five people but we did start at 1:30 pm on a 90 degree day.
Good trail of 5.3+ miles with an elevation gain of around 630 ft. Good-grip shoes are recommended, along with hiking poles, since the path zigzags all the way through. The out-and-back trail has some scenic spots along the way. No restrooms are available, as we experienced today. A large free parking lot is available.
Lovely hike right next to the Occoquan. Enjoyed it along with my sister and grandma. We went about a mile and a half before turning around. I think the whole thing is about 6 miles and it takes you to a different parking area.
I drive past here on my commute everyday and I absolutely love just stopping in for a short trail walk. It offers seasonal year-round views!! It's gorgeous and offers a lovely outlook on the Occoquan!
Trail conditions & character
“Very beautiful and relaxing trails, does have hills so not for the faint of heart”
“The public bathrooms are not open at the trailhead so plan to use the loo before you go.”
“I went with my no one year old son and we parked at Bull Run and then walked down a slight incline into the woods.”
“There was some woman who had her wet dog off leash and it jumped up on me but otherwise pretty uneventful.”
“It was a quiet trail and we only passed five people but we did start at 1:30 pm on a 90 degree day.”
“The public bathrooms are not open at the trailhead so plan to use the loo before you go.”
“Very nice hiking trail, lots of shade and greenery.”
“We choose a pretty short loop today, but there are plenty variations available.”
“Nice hiking trail with lots of hills and above-ground tree roots, so tread carefully!”
Plan your run at Bull Run Occoquan Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitenovaparks.com
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Clifton
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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