For a more leisurely adventure close to home, these trails offer scenic views; birdwatching and animal-spotting; and easy-to-moderate trails that make even a walk in the snow a little less intimidating.
Mason Neck State Park
location_on7301 High Point Rd., Lorton.
language Website
This Fairfax County park is home to nine trails–seven of which are rated “easy”–ranging from a fraction of a mile to just under three. It’s a year-round hot spot for seeing birds–especially bald eagles–but that can be even easier when leaves are off the trees.
Seneca Creek State Park
location_on11950 Clopper Rd., Gaithersburg.
language Website
This Maryland park offers 50-plus miles of trails that welcome mountain bikers and horseback riders as well as hikers. The “moderate” 1.2-mile Great Seneca Trail leads through the woods to Clopper Lake, while the 3.7-mile Lake Shore Trail encircles it.
Great Falls Park
location_on9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean.
language Website
Though the 1.5-mile (one-way) Ridge Trail can get muddy and rocky, it’s a relatively easy-to-moderate path that offers views of the Potomac River and Mather Gorge in winter that can’t be spotted through the trees in warmer weather. Plus: Three overlooks accessible via the “easy” 1.25-mile (one-way) Patowmack Canal Trail offer picturesque views of the falls.
This article appears in the January 2024 issue of Washingtonian.
Amy leads Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Prior to joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was the editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that, editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.
