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W&OD Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 297 Google reviews · Running trail in Arlington, Virginia · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 45 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from W&OD Trailhead'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.
The 45-mile-long W & OD running, biking & skating trail runs from Shirlington to Purcellville.
What runners say about W&OD Trailhead
“I've ridden this Trail in Arlington, Fairfax and Herndon and it is always beautiful.”
“I love this trail, easy to run and always kept in great shape.”
Easy grade, paved, established trail. First mile and a half has pedestrian crossing, but once you cross Columbia Pike, no issues of car traffic if you really want to zone out. Beautiful scenery.
The W&OD is an amazing trail that this city is so lucky to have. I wish more city would have dedicated trail like this all over the US. It encourages people to bike to work. This trail is perfect for Cyclists, Runners, Walkers for all ages. Very safe dedicated trail with little to no Vehicles.
The trial is next to many apartments in sterling area, this is my daily walking running and biking area. Being very next to apartment I don’t even have to use my car mount😀. It well cleaned bike road , I see many people everyday on this trial. Great to around the community such a trial
A perfectly maintained asphalt trail with lots of interesting shops, restaurants and breweries along the way. Plenty of tree canopy.
Trail conditions & character
“It is paved for 45 miles (I haven't traversed all 45 miles yet), and it's great for walkers, dog walkers, runners, and bikers.”
“It is paved for 45 miles (I haven't traversed all 45 miles yet), and it's great for walkers, dog walkers, runners, and bikers.”
“I've ridden this Trail in Arlington, Fairfax and Herndon and it is always beautiful.”
“Not much shade until much further down path.”
“Beautiful flat trail from Arlington to Purceville covering over 45 miles.”
“We normally ride the segment from Leesburg to Purceville but this time we started at the parking lot in Herndon with the goal of getting to Leesburg.”
Plan your run at W&OD Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance45 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
- Websitenovaparks.com
- Phone(703) 729-0596
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Arlington
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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Winkler Botanical Preserve
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