Mount Vernon Trail north from Reagan National Airport



Washington Monument & Jefferson Memorial



This walk allows great opportunity for viewing the Washington, DC skyline, the Potomac River, and the monuments.

From the Reagan National Airport stop, head out and north to the Mount Vernon Trail. 

You can stop at Gravelly Point Park and enjoy a picnic on the grass, fishing in the Potomac, or just sit and watch the planes come in.

Beyond Gravelly Point, the Mount Vernon trail follows the river, offering terrific views of the monuments, as well as passing by the Navy and Marine Memorial and Lady Bird Johnson Memorial park.



Further on, follow the paths to Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington Cemetery, where those wishing for a shorter walk can hop back on to the Metro. 



Gravelly Point Park



Cross Arlington Memorial Bridge and make your way past the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument to the Smithsonian Metro.

Distance:  5 miles

Accessibility:  Smooth bike paths and paved walkways

Route Map:   http://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/31510642

Lake Artemesia and College Park Airport



Paint Branch Creek



Exit the College Park - U of MD metro station and turn left on River Road, then right on Paint Branch Parkway/Calvert Road. 

At 51st Avenue, you can turn left for a side trip to the College Park Airport.   Built in 1909 as a training site for Wilbur Wright to instruct military pilots, it is the world's oldest continually running airport.  You can watch small planes take off and land (both at the airport or on the trail), or visit the College Park Aviation Museum, an affiliation of the Smithsonian Institute.



To reach Lake Artemesia, continue on Paint Branch Parkway to the Anacostia Tributary Trail System.  Turn left onto the paved trail, and follow it for about half a mile to the intersection of Paint Branch Trail (just after crossing over Paint Branch Creek).  Follow the trail through the gate to Lake Artemesia.



Lake Artemesia



Lake Artemesia is a man made lake and park that offers fishing (with a license only) and bird watching opportunities.  Keep an eye out for Great Blue Herons, loons, ducks, and many woodland birds while you walk around the lake.  Kids can look for turtles in the water.  There are restrooms and water fountains in the center peninsula.

When you have finished enjoying the scenery at Lake Artemesia, you can exit through the gates at the southern end of the park, and reverse your route back to the metro station.

Distance:  3.75 miles

Accessibility:  Sidewalks and paved paths make this route wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Kids:  The museum and lake are both fun for kids.

Trail Route:   http://www.mapmywalk.com/routes

Wheaton Regional and Sligo Creek Parks



Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD



This 5 mile walk winds its way from the end of the Red line through neighborhoods, parks and gardens.

From Glenmont station, head north (right) on Georgia and turn right on Glenallen.  Follow Glenallen for about 1 mile.  Both sides of the street have sidewalks and pass by various apartment complexes.  After you cross Randolph, there will be a sidewalk/bike path on the left hand side of the road only.

Cross Glenallen into Brookside Gardens, using the pedestrian entrance.  Brookside Gardens is a 50+ acre public display garden that includes several distinct planting areas as well as two conservatories.  You can wander around paved paths of the gardens for a while or go directly up to the main path and head right towards the gate that exits into Wheaton Regional Park.



Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD



Once out the gate and in Wheaton Regional, following the signs for the Athletic Center, head to the left up a gravel road.  You will walk past Pine Lake, a dog park, outside ice rink and playing fields, and up Orebaugh Ave.  Once you hit the parking lots by the playing fields, the road is paved again.  However, there are no sidewalks on Orebaugh until after you cross Arcola.

At the end of Orebaugh, you'll enter Sligo Creek Park.  Follow the paved trail through the woods for about 2 miles as it parallels Sligo Creek and, after crossing University Blvd, Sligo Creek Parkway. 

Turn right on Forest Glen Road and walk about 5 blocks to the Forest Glen Metro station at Georgia Avenue.

Distance:  5.25 miles
Accessibility:  Some of the paths are reasonably easy and accessible, but the gravel road in Wheaton Regional may be difficult for some.



Route Map:  http://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/30947132

A short walk through the memorials on the Mall

Where better to start than the monuments near the National Mall?  Starting from the Smithsonian metro stop, this is an easy walk down to the Lincoln Memorial and back.  You'll be able to view the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial and the White House.  Quick side trips to the Korean War Veterans Memorial (just south of the route) or the Albert Einstein Memorial (just north of the route) may increase the length of the walk.

This walk is on paved paths, with several street crossings.  It is fairly flat, with slight rolling hills in some areas.

This area has heavy foot and bicycle traffic, especially during the spring Cherry Blossom Festival.

Distance:  2.8 miles
Accessibility:  Wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Kids:  Great walk for children.

Route map:  http://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/30844944

C&O canal near Georgetown