Virginia
Rural Near the City
W&OD Trail
Distance: 21 or 38 miles round-trip.Suggested route: Leesburg or Ashburn to Purcellville and back.
The fairly flat Washington & Old Dominion rail trail chugs
along 45 miles, from Arlington’s Shirlington neighborhood to Purcellville
in Loudoun County. The easternmost section of the trail is lovely but has
frequent stop signs and street crossings; past Ashburn, you’ll still cross
streets, but there are fewer of them—and less traffic as well, including
on the trail. The scenery is more peaceful, too, with the occasional horse
or llama in a field. In the cute town of Purcellville, the Trail’s End
Cycling Co. shop is a good spot to grab an energy drink before turning
around. Visit the trail’s website for directions to access
points.
