Top Things to do in Northern Virginia
Top Hotels in Northern Virginia
- 1. Hyatt Regency Dulles
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Belvoir Alexandria South
- 3. Hyatt Centric Arlington
- 4. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC - Crystal City
- 5. Homewood Suites by Hilton Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge
- 6. Hampton Inn Alexandria/Pentagon South
- 7. Hampton Inn Dulles-Cascades
- 8. Residence Inn Arlington Capital View
- 9. Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport
- 10. Hampton Inn & Suites Arlington Crystal City DCA
10 Hiking Trails in Northern Virginia That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Northern Virginia, United States including Gulf Branch Nature Center, Dora Kelly Nature Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Custis Trail, Turkey Run Park, Bull Run - Occoquan Trail, Raven Rocks, Lake Thoreau Loop Trail, Deep Cut Loop Trail, Lake Accotink Trail.
Restaurants in Northern Virginia
1. Gulf Branch Nature Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By SherlockHolmesRun - Falls Church, United States
I haven't been inside the nature center itself (closed due to the pandemic), but had a truly fantastic time outdoors. I live nearby but had never heard of this place until I saw a photo on instagram. Turns out there's a wonderful little hike with amazing views-- and hardly anyone on the trail! The nature center itself is lovely and picturesque with plenty of places to sit and well-tended garden beds. You'll find a pond teeming with life-- at my visit in late February, I saw and heard more frogs in one place than I'd ever witnessed before and must have spent at least 20 minutes watching them. There's also a historic log cabin, a blacksmith shop, a place for outdoor fire pits, and a caged barred owl that can no longer fly. Oh, and the namesake stream, Gulf Branch, flowing through the grounds. There are a few little walking trail loops that lead into neighboring parks and neighborhoods. These are nice for walking a dog or small child, or for entering the park another way if the small parking lot is full, but this is not the reason to visit. The main trail is actually starts across the street, which may be why it was so empty on a beautiful day. It's about a 2 mile loop, so a very manageable length for a hike, but there's some climbing and rock-hopping involved that will require agility! Cross Military Road on foot from the parking lot and you'll see a butterfly garden. There are two paths on either side of the stream-- take either one, as it's a loop trail, and you can come back the opposite way. This peaceful wooded walk follows the stream as it gets increasingly wider and higher. In the winter, you'll be able to see backyards of neighboring houses, but the rugged trail does feel rather wild. There are several little foot bridges to cross, but you'll also have to cross the stream at times, hopping over rocks to get to the other side as part of the trail vanishes, which is a lot of fun. Pay attention and you may see hawks or other birds of prey roosting in the trees! The end of the trail (or, rather, the middle, since as I said, it's a loop) is where things get exciting. Cross underneath the George Washington Parkway and you'll reach cascading waterfalls and a stunning view of the Potomac River! There are two small overlooks (no railings here, so be very careful, especially if you have kids-- it's quite high up) where you can sit on a rock and watch the peaceful view and birds, or glimpse DC across the river. You can also climb down the waterfall if you're careful-- railings are built into the rocks, but no footholds, and one of the railings is a bit loose-- and enjoy part of the Potomac Heritage Trail along the 'beach.' It almost reminded me of a suburban version of a Shenandoah National Park hike. In the winter, there are no leaves to obstruct the view of the water, though it also means the other side of the river looks a bit grim. I'm excited to come back and see it in the other seasons, when the view is less clear but perhaps a bit more colorful! We only ran into 3 other families on the trail and nobody at the overlooks. Although it wasn't a long hike, we spent almost 3 hours there due to enjoying the scenery and the animals at the nature center. I highly recommend this hidden gem in Arlington!
2. Dora Kelly Nature Park
3. Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Park composed of three seperate trails, perfect for hiking and biking.
Reviewed By 25wallace79 - McLean, United States
Have loved this place for over 30 years and so happy they never made it a “park”. There’s very little man-made influence here; a few trash cans and benches with some signs near the parking area. Trails are marked by painted color squares in mature trees. It’s a conservatory park meaning no vehicles like motorized bikes, regular bicycles, firearms and camping or campfires. You’ll see horseback riders and hikers and lots of dogs. And that’s nice because it keeps it quiet and safe without speeding bikers taking over the single track paths. I’m an avid cyclist and would love to ride here but it’s not meant for that. My children loved the secluded feel almost like going back in time. There’s part of the canal still in tact from George Washington’s time. I am there at least three times a week with my dog and make an effort to collect trash I see. I hope they never develop this place or make it a formal park. I was reluctant even to write a review that would attract people who will misuse the park but it’s such a great place. If you like natural woods with nothing faster than an occasional jogger, come enjoy this great place.
4. Custis Trail
5. Turkey Run Park
6. Bull Run - Occoquan Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By heatherf929 - Manassas, United States
We enjoyed a wonderful fall hike along Bull Run. We parked at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park in Clifton and took the yellow blaze trail. It's a beautiful walk through the woods down to Bull Run (stream), then followed the blue trail along the water. We turned off the blue trail to loop back along the yellow blazes to the trailhead. It's was a couple of miles with beautiful fall trees and a lovely walk along the water. We did the hike with our three children, and it was not strenuous. At the end of the hike, we walked over to Paradise Springs Winery, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and a lovely bottle of wine. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon!
7. Raven Rocks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By lloydb318
I was looking for another outdoor adventure and decided to take a look at my trail app. There I found an article about Raven Rock. Since it was less than two hours away, I decided to check it out. My six year old grandson decided to join me. We got to the beginning of the trail early in the morning, and began our hike just before 7AM. The hike was much longer than I expected, and even longer with a six year old. The trail is VERY rocky. It is a roller coaster that requires you to crawl down into a valley and cross a creek, and then come up on the other side - TWICE. The hike is a little under six miles round trip. With a 6 year old it took about five hours including stopping on top and enjoying the view for 1/2 hour. There was a lot of fungi (mushrooms) along the way, and the scenery was astonishingly beautiful. My grandson enjoyed it very much and was a true sport throughout. If you plan on taking this hike, ensure that you have water, snacks, sturdy hiking boots (not tennis shoes), and a walking stick.
8. Lake Thoreau Loop Trail
9. Deep Cut Loop Trail
10. Lake Accotink Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By psujmu - Springfield, United States
I walk the dog and access from the West Springfield Little League Entrance which has good parking. The trail is wide and nicely paved here an easy terrain all the way to Accotink Park. It's good for families, dog walking, biking and crosses or follows the stream for much of the trail. There are unpaved side trails that follow the stream that, are lightly travelled but enough that the trails are worn in. It's about an hour for most to walk to Lake Accotink and back from the Little League fields.
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