A convenient scenic ride along the Potomac

Mount Vernon Trail Map>>

A well traveled route along the Potomac River, the Mount Vernon Trail takes bicyclists, joggers and hikers from Roosevelt Island near Key Bridge to George Washington's home in Mount Vernon (now Fairfax County), Va. The route affords riders beautiful vistas of the Potomac River and of the national memorials, the U.S. Capitol and the National Cathedral.

Intrinsic to Washington, DC.'s premier trail system, the Mount Vernon Trail receives heavy usage, especially on weekends. It takes bicycle commuters into the city from the south and also provides an escape from downtown Washington.          

By crossing Memorial Bridge, riders can connect from the Mount Vernon Trail to the Rock Creek Trail to the north and the C&O Canal Towpath  and Capital Crescent Trail to the northwest. The trail is also linked to the W&OD Trail to the west via Arlington's Custis Trail or Four Mile Run Trail.

This is a beautiful and interesting ride, but use caution: highway ramp crossings and weekend congestion from a variety of trail users require attentive cycling. The best times to ride are early in the morning on weekends, or on weekdays.

LENGTH: 18.5 miles.

TERRAIN: Level with three hills. Well-maintained asphalt; boardwalk in swamp areas. Narrow in some places.

POINTS OF INTEREST: Navy and Marine Memorial (1934) at 2.0 miles, dedicated to Americans who served at sea; Gravelly Point at 3.0 miles, with good view of the Potomac River and spectacular view of National Airport's busy main runway; Daingerfield Island at 5.8 miles, with Washington Sailing Marina, food, bike shop (open every day), sailing and fishing facilities.

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START: Theodore Roosevelt Island on the Potomac River in Rosslyn, Va. By car, Roosevelt Island is accessible only by traveling north on the George Washington Memorial Parkway from Roosevelt Bridge (1-66/US 50) or points further south. Accessible from downtown Washington, D.C. via the Roosevelt Bridge. Rosslyn is within the Capital Beltway.

METRO STARTS: Rosslyn Metro station (Orange and Blue Lines) is near start. Go one block east then turn left on North Lynn Street. Turn right onto bike trail immediately after highway exit ramp. (If you see the National Park Service depot on your right, you've missed your turn.) Cross over the George Washington Memorial Parkway on a bicycle bridge to the Roosevelt Island parking lot. National Airport Metro station (Blue and Yellow Lines), Arlington Cemetery Metro station (Blue Line), King Street Metro station (Yellow Line) and Braddock Road Metro station (Yellow Line) are on or near the trail.