The relationship between runners and hills is a fickle one—we hate them mid-workout, but man, do we love what they do for our end game. To boost that incline-stepping spirit, we asked four local running experts for their go-to hill routes around Washington. Check out their recommendations below, which range from short, steep slopes to long and rolling jogs.
SHORT AND STEEP
Enjoy a sweeping skyline view at the top of this hill in Columbia Heights—the steepest of the bunch with a staggering 11.4-percent average grade.
Valley Trail in Rock Creek Park
Doug Hay, an avid trail runner and the creator of the Rock Creek Runner blog, suggests this section of trail for a beastly yet fun workout.
Running coach Mike Hamberger runs his clients up hills all around the District, including this one on the Georgetown waterfront.
Multiple DC running gurus suggested both sides of the original Hill for a good workout. Though similar, the Independence Avenue side trumps Constitution Avenue in terms of grade and elevation gained.
LONG AND GRADUAL
Beech Drive Trail in Rock Creek Park
Another favorite of Hay, this section of trail ends at the Rock Creek Park horse center.
Stoneybrook Drive in Chevy Chase
Certified running coaches Julie Sapper and Lisa Reichmann of Run Farther & Faster recommend the Mormon Temple hill for a “steep and brutal” climb.
The National Arboretum provides a scenic background for this half-mile favorite of the EZ8 running program’s Kathleen Pugh.
HILL SERIES
Sapper and Reichmann take runners on this route of rolling hills in Bethesda to stimulate the Boston Marathon’s infamous Heartbreak Hill.
Two consecutive, nearly half-mile hills test the body and mind on this stretch of road in Arlington.
