Routes
Los Angeles offers an exceptionally varied landscape for running, with routes that span mountains, canyons, beaches, lakes, and grand urban boulevards. In the heart of the city, runners gravitate toward Griffith Park, a vast oasis with everything from gentle fire roads to challenging climbs, while nearby Runyon Canyon and the Santa Monica Mountains provide even more rugged trail options with panoramic views. Closer to the neighborhoods, Echo Park and the Silver Lake Reservoir offer relaxed, scenic loops perfect for everyday miles. For breezier, flatter running, the oceanfront paths through Santa Monica, Venice, and into Marina del Rey deliver wide, continuous stretches ideal for long, scenic efforts. LA’s iconic boulevards, including Sunset, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Wilshire, and Exposition, also create long, connective routes through vibrant corridors of the city. Beyond the core, LA County adds still more variety, from foothill trails around Pasadena and Altadena to coastal paths along the ocean, giving runners a rich range of terrain without traveling far.
1. Griffith Park
• Start & Finish: Greek Theater
• Course Profile: 5.1 miles, 1040 ft+, mostly trail (Strava in bio)
Griffith Park is one of the country's largest city parks with urban wilderness. A sunrise trail run in Griffith, featuring breathtaking panoramic views at Griffith Observatory and/or Mt. Hollywood Summit is an unforgettable LA experience. This route is a loop starting and ending at the Greek Theater. It follows (counter clockwise) Riverside Trail, Hogback Trail, Mt Hollywood Trail, and Boy Scout Trail. Griffith Park has a myriad of trails so other options are abundant. In particular, if you want to enjoy nature without climbing hills, Main Trail is a long, flat trail along the LA river on the east periphery of the park.
Along this 5-mile route, there are two particular places to visit.
- Griffith Observatory: The Los Angeles landmark sits on a hill overlooking Downtown LA and Hollywood, and offers free-admission to scientific exhibits inside the observatory, as well as a telescope.
- Mt. Hollywood Summit: This is the hill straight above the observatory (not the hill that the Hollywood sign sits on, which js actually Mt. Lee) and offers an even grander, sweeping view.
- To "visit" Hollywood Sign, take the single track Mt. Chapel Trail off Mt. Hollywood Dr. It leads to Mt. Lee Dr, which goes above the iconic sign. This will make a 3.7-mile out and back detour from Mt. Hollwyood Summit with additional 800 ft+.
Also check out Dante's View and Amir's Garden.
The route connects with
- Silver Lake - Echo Park (Route #5)
- Hollywood Blvd (Route #7)
- LA River Trail (Route #14)
Run Clubs / @blacklistla usually has their Saturday long run in the park, and sometimes does @silverlaketrackclub too.
Cafe / Maru Coffee and Friends & Family are among my favorite coffee shops and bakeries in the city. Many other cafes are located on Hillhurst Ave, Vermont Ave, and Hollywood Blvd.
Transit / Hollywood/Western in on Metro Line A (Red). Metro Bus 96, 180, 182 serve the Los Feliz neighborhood.
2. Ocean Front
• Start & Finish: Will Rogers Beach (Pacific Palisades), Venice Beach
• Course Profile: 6.4 miles, flat; multi-use path (Strava in bio)
This trail connecting Santa Monica and Venice is a true fitness hub, it is heavily used by walkers, runners, cyclists, rollerblade rollers, surfers...The trail goes as north as Temescal Canyon Rd and runs on the beach southward till Washington Blvd in Venice. It's easy to follow, just watch out for trail traffic and intersections.
Things to see and visit:
- Beaches: It's oceanfront, what else do you expect? Check out the original muscle beach in Santa Monica and skate park in Venice.
- Santa Monica Pier: The iconic pier marks the west end of US Route 66 and has a small amusement park that can be see from far away.
- Tongva Park: named after the indigenous Tongva people, the small downtown park has an oceanview overlook.
- Venice Boardwalk: known for funky souvenir shops and street artists, it is ususlly packed with tourists.
- Venice Canals: the Venice inspired canals are calm and surrounded by colorful houses, with narrow walk paths.
The route connects with many running routes that end by the ocean:
- Santa Monica Mountains Trails (Route #13)
- San Vicente / Santa Monica / Wilshire / Venice / Exposition Blvd (Route #18/#7/#8/#9/#10)
- Ballona Creek Trail (Route #19)
- Beach Cities "The Strand" (Route #20)
Run Clubs / many run clubs are based in this area, including
@venicerunclub @larebels @trackclubla with different run options. The lastest addition is a social run by @luftlosangeles called Junk Miles
Cafe / Santa Monica and Venice are two of the most touristy destinations in LA so you'll have no problem finding cafes, especially around 3rd Street Promenade (P10) in Santa Monica, along Main St in Ocean Park, and on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Transit / Metro Line E (Expo) connects Downtown Santa Monica, Downtown Culver City and Downtown LA. The ocean front area is served by various lines of LA Metro Bus, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, as well as Culver CityBus.
3. Baldwin Hills
• Start & Finish: Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook trailhead
• Course Profile: 7 miles out and back, 1225 ft+; mostly trails, steep stairs optional (Strava link in bio)
South of Hollywood Hills, LA is one gigantic urban sprawl. Baldwin Hills is home to the only sizable mountains in this flatland. This route starts at the foot of Culver City Stairs, it continues to Kenneth Hahn park via Park to Playa Bridge and loops around in the big park before returning to the start. Besides the two official pedestrian entry points to Kenneth Hahn Park, there is a trail between the northeast part of the park and La Brea Ave (at Veronica St).
Things to see and visit
- Culver City Stairs & Scenic Overlook: The formidable stairs consist of 282 big, irregular steps, averaging 10 inches each. A switchback trail is the alternative option to go up to the hilltop overlook and trails.
- Stoneview Nature Center: a small nature center near Park to Playa Bridge, with weekend programs.
- Kenneth Hahn Park: the big state park features several miles of mountain trails, a small lake, a Japanese Garden, a Hummingbird Garden, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (P6). The views around Autumn's Peak are great.
This route is part of the Park to Playa Trail. The trail continues east of Kenneth Hahn Park along Stocker St (P9). Additional routes:
- Continue to Venice / Exposition Blvd (Route #9/#10)
- Continue to Ballona Creek Trail (Route #19)
Run Clubs /
@goodvibes_tc is a large run club based in nearby Rancho Cienega Rec Center
@movementrunners and @angelcityrunclub have weekly runs in Culver City
@thebreakfastrunclub runs from Norman O. Houston Park
Cafe / Downtown Culver City, packed with coffee shops and cafes, is several blocks away from Culver City Stairs. My favorites, however, are Destroyer and Bar Nine in the industrial area just east of downtown.
Transit / Metro Line E (Expo) stops at La Cienega Blvd and Downtown Culver City; the area is served by LA Metro Bus 33, 35, 37, 38, 105, 217, as well as Culver City Bus CC1 and CC4.
4. Elysian Park
• Start & Finish: Sunset Blvd at Lilac Pl (Strava in bio)
• Course Profile: 6.2 miles loop, 575 ft+; streets and trails
Elysian Park is a large, hilly city park just north of Downtown LA, site of Dodger Stadium. This route follows the main roads in the park and loops back to the start point from outside the park. Trail detours and shortcuts can be taken at different intersections.
Things to see and visit
- Angels Point: An overlook point on a small hill, where a post-modern metal sculpture of local artist Peter Shire is installed.
- Point Grand View: The name says it all. Follow the palm tree lined Grand View Dr for the sweeping view at this hidden gem viewpoint in Elysian Park.
- Dodger Stadium: The least urbanism-friendly ballpark, and the worst place to start a big city marathon. Still, it's Dodger Stadium.
- LA State Historic Park: A massive urban park with open green space and walking trails.
- Everett Park: The small hillside park looks out directly to Downtown LA.
- Chinatown: Though not as impressive as Chinatown of SF or NYC, Chinatown Central Plaza is still worth a quick visit.
Additional and alternative routes:
On the west, take Elysian Park Trail (cover, P3) instead of Elysian Park Dr. This dirt trail detour has great views and will add 1.2 miles/170 ft+.
On the north, take Frogtown Trail (P4) instead of Angels Point Rd. This single track trail has more challenging terrains, cliff views, but it is 0.4 mile shorter and 100 ft+ less.
On the east, take Grand View Dr instead of Park View Dr. This detour leads to Point Grand View (see below) and will add 0.7 mile/70 ft+.
- Continue to Silver Lake or Echo Park (Route #5)
- Continue to Downtown LA (Route #6)
- Continue to LA river Trail (Route #14) via bike path along Arroyo Seco Pkwy.
Cafe / Both Echo Park and Chinatown have great food scenes. In particular, visit Hill St and Broadway for traditional Cantonese dim sum for breakfast.
Transit / Chinatown is served by Metro Line L (Gold) and Bus 45, 81, 90, 94, 96. Sunset Blvd is served by Metro Bus 4.
5. Silver Lake - Echo Park
• Start & Finish: Silver Lake Reservoir and Echo Park (Strava in bio)
• Course Profile: 5 miles, 200 ft+; sidewalks
Silverlake and Echo Park are my favorite neighborhoods in LA. The area has countless cafes and shops on the 3-mile stretch of Sunset Blvd, which is on @lamarathon route (P9). Silverlake Reservoir and Echo Park are two popular running spots and both have a loop trail. This route connects them through Sunset Blvd.
Things to see and visit
- Barnsdall Art Park: a hilltop park with The Hollyhock House designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. You'll get a good view of Griffith Observatory from here.
- Silver Lake: the hilly, residential neighborhood features a reservoir with a running trail, rolling hills with mural stairs (e.g. "Je t'aime LA" mural), and some of the best coffee shops in town.
- Echo Park: this beautiful park surrounding Echo Park Lake has a big water fountain, a boathouse and a one-mile running loop.
- Everett Park: Quite a hidden gem off Sunset Blvd. The small hillside park looks out directly to Downtown LA.
- Vista Hermosa Natural Park: an urban natural park with a walking trail, picnic areas, and a great view of the LA skyline.
* Additional and alternative routes:
- Continue to Griffith Park (Route #1)
- Continue to Elysian Park (Route #4)
- Continue to Downtown LA (Route #6)
- Continue to Hollywood/Santa Monica Blvd (Route #7)
- Continue to LA River Trail (Route #14)
Run Club / @silverlaketrackclub is based in Silver Lake and does Tuesday easy runs on Sunset Blvd, Thursday workouts near Chinatown and Sunday long runs with varying routes.
Cafe / Stereoscope Coffee is my favorite coffee shop in LA. Popular coffee spots also include Maru Coffee, Dayglow, Canyon Coffee... For pastries and breakfast, I enjoyed Cafe Tropical, Doubting Thomas, and Clark Street Echo Park.
Transit / Metro stations at Sunset & Vermont and Union Station are on Line B (Red). Sunset Blvd is served by Metro Bus 4, with Bus 2, 10/48, 92, and 603 also serving this area.
6. Downtown LA
• Start & Finish: Grand Ave (Strava in bio)
• Course Profile: 3-4 miles, 100-200 ft+; sidewalks
Downtown LA is remarkably diverse and vibrant. A short run can take one from Chinatown to Little Tokyo, from art museums to sports stadiums. Though Grand Ave is my favorite, explore as you wish. You may want to stay away from Skid Row, where there is a large homeless population.
Things to see and visit
- Union Station: largest railroad passenger terminal in the West, with a Mission Revival style tower and grand interior.
- Grand Park: big, long urban park that stretches over four city blocks, with LA City Hall on the east end.
- Walt Disney Concert Hall: home of the La Phil, the stunning structure is designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry.
- The Broad: art museum with artworks by the most well known contemporary artists. The building itself is also quite a piece of art.
- Arts District: a walkable neighborhood with murals, art studios, boutiques and cafes scattered all over it's short, narrow streets.
- 6th St Bridge: the brand new bridge (replacing a viaduct) features wide bike/ped access on both directions.
Additional and alternative routes:
- Take 1st St to Arts District. You can do a loop through Hollenbeck Park and 6th St.
- Take Figueroa St to Exposition Park
- Continue to Elysian Park (Route #4)
- Continue to Silver Lake - Echo Park (Route #5)
- Continue to Wilshire/Venice/Exposition Blvd (Route #8, 9, 10)
Run Clubs / several run clubs are active in DTLA
@angelcityrunclub @dtlarunning @blacklistla all have weekly group runs from here.
Cafe / It's downtown, so there are coffee shops and cafes everywhere. In particular, check out Grand Central Market and Arts District (along San Mateo and Santa Fe, including Maru Coffee, P10)
Transit / Union Station is the terminus for Metro B, D, L lines, LAX flyaway bus, and MetroLink services to cities and counties around LA. 7th St Metro Station is the transfer point for Metro A, B, D, E line. Downtown area is also heavily served by Metro buses.
7. Hollywood & Santa Monica Boulevard
• Start & Finish: Hollywood at Vermont; Santa Monica at Ocean (Strava in bio)
• Course Profile: 14.8 miles, 228 ft+; sidewalks
This route along Hollywood Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd largely overlaps with @lamarathon course, and showcases some of the most iconic landmarks of LA. The essential segment is between Hollywood and Century City, after which the course continues downhill to the beach. LA marathon's new course doesn't finish in Santa Monica anymore, so why don't you do it yourself?
Things to see and visit
- Beverly Gardens Park: urban park that features Beverly Hills Sign, a lily pond, and an array of public art installations. Also check out the cactus park one block south.
- Sunset Strip: iconic LA street lined with billboards and is known for its dinning and shopping scene. P7 is shot from 1 Hotel West Hollywood's public deck.
- West Hollywood: The city of WeHo is a hub for LGBTQ community and known for its vibrant night life.
- TCL Chinese Theater: the iconic Hollywood theater hosts movie premiers and shows movies everyday.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: more than 2700 starts in the sidewalks along Hollywood Blvd. Check out the stars right outside Hollywood/Vine Metro Station.
Additional and alternative routes:
- Santa Monica oceanfront trail (Route #2)
- Wilshire Boulevard (Route #8)
- Runyon Canyon (Route #12)
- Hollywood Reservoir (Route #11)
- Griffith Park (Route #1)
Cafe / There are an abundance of coffee shops and cafes on Santa Monica and Hollywood Blvd, especailly in Downtown Santa Monica, Sawtelle, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Sunset Strip, and Hollywood.
- Dayglow is a small coffee shop known for its creative special coffee drinks.
- Friends & Family in East Hollywood is one of my favorite bakery and cafe.
Transit / LA Metro E Line serves Downtown Santa Monica, and Metro A Line serves Hollywood Blvd. LA Metro Bus 4 runs along Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood Boulevard is a major transit hub for Metro Buses (180, 206, 207, 210, 212, 217).
8. Wilshire Boulevard
• Start & Finish: Wilshire Blvd
• Course Profile: 15.8 miles, 516ft; city street sidewalks
Wilshire Boulevard is one of the most prominent streets in Los Angeles, connecting several important business districts of the city. Given the significance of the Wilshire, sidewalks are usually wide and well kept. Running along Wilshire can be a very cool LA experience.
Things to see and visit
- Santa Monica Beach: Wilshire Blvd ends at Ocean Ave on the bluff overlooking the ocean. You can then get down to the beachfront trail.
- Miracle Mile / Museum Row: The prominent stretch is home to several important museums. Don't miss the Urban Light sculpture in front of LACMA and Berlin Wall segments across street.
- Palm Tree Street / Hollywood Sign: Have you seen the Hollywood sign lined up with a palm tree lined street? That is here.
- Koreantown: One of the most diverse and iconic neighborhoods of LA, with a high concentration of restaurants, shopping centers, and metro stations.
- MacArthur Park: The park has a lovely lake and green spaces against LA skyline. Unfortunately homelessness is an issue here.
*Additional and alternative routes:
- Continue to Santa Monica oceanfront trail (Route #2)
- Connect to Hollywood or Santa Monica Blvd (Route #7)
- Continue to Downtown LA (Route #6)
Run Clubs /
@koreatownrunclub is a large run club based in Koreatown with four group runs a week
@nightterrorsla does weekly night runs from LACMA
Cafe / Santa Monica: Mid City has better options than the touristy beach area. Check out Goodboybob and 10 Speed for coffee, Paderia, Amandine bakery, Tartine and Milo & Olive for bread and pastries, the latter two offer breakfast and brunch too.
Koreantown: Document Coffee Bar and Yeems Coffee are my favorites coffee shops in Ktown. I also love Asian style bakeries like Paris Baguette and 85°C Bakery.
Transit / LA Metro Purple Line serves the east part of Wilshire between Downtown and Western Ave. Metro Bus 20 and 720 Rapid runs along Wilshire Blvd.
9. Venice Boulevard
• Start & Finish: Venice Blvd
• Course Profile: 13.2 miles, flat; city street sidewalks
Venice Boulevard has the longest bike lanes in LA. It runs 10 miles continuously between the beach and Arlington Ave. While this is not a multi-use bike path, the bike lane creates a buffer between car traffic in the road and the sidewalk, making running on Venice Blvd a little safer and giving runners more space.
Things to see and visit
Venice Boulevard isn't pretty. Except for the west end in Venice Beach, Venice Blvd passes through LA neighborhoods largely unseen by tourists.
- Venice Beach: the beach is known for its broad walk, funky souvnir shops, street artists, and the Muscle Beach. Also check out Abbot Kinney Blvd, the eclectic one-mile street is lined with restaurants, boutiques, galleries and colorful murals.
- Venice Canals: It's exactly what you think it is: canals inspired by Venice, Italy are surrounded by colorful modernist houses.
Additional and alternative routes (west to east):
- Continue to Santa Monica oceanfront trail (Route #2)
- Continue to Marina Del Rey bike path (Route #19)
- Connect to Ballona Creek bike path (Route #19)
- Connect to Exposition Blvd (Route #10)
- Continue to Downtown LA (Route #6)
Cafe / - Downtown Venice features many good cafes, including Menotti's Coffee and Little Lunch a block away from the beach, Intelligentsia, Blue Bottle and Gjelina on the famed Abbot Kinney Blvd.
- Superba Food + Bread: The beautiful bakery cafe with a spacious rustic chic dinning hall and sunny outdoor dining area. It offers everything from coffee to pastry to full breakfast and brunch meals.
- It's not hard to find coffee shops between Venice and Culver City. Check out Röckenwagner and MillCross if you are looking for more than just a cup of joe.
Transit / LA Metro Bus 33 Line runs along Venice Boulevard. Culver City 1 connects Venice beach to downtown Culver City.
10. Exposition Boulevard
Long Route:
• Start & Finish: Exposition Blvd at Figueroa St, Colorado Ave at Ocean Ave (Santa Monica)
• Course Profile: 13.5 miles, 170 ft+; bike path and city streets
Short Route:
• Start & Finish: Jefferson Blvd at La Cienega Blvd, Colorado Ave at 17th St (Santa Monica)
• Course Profile: 7.0 miles, 160 ft+; mostly bike path
This route largely follows Exposition Boulevard and LA Metro Expo Line. The short route is mostly on a bike path, with a gap between Overland Ave and Palms Blvd. While not very scenic, it's rare to be able to run inside LA and feel so safe and away from cars! The long route extends the short route east to USC and west to the beach.
Things to see and visit
- University of Southern California: A compact campus with most buildings in Romanesque Revival style.
- Exposition Park: The big urban park features a rose garden, multiple museums and sports stadiums.
- Love Wall: Highly instagramable!
- Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook: Take the Culver City stairs to the hilltop for the fantastic view (see Route #3).
- Downtown Culver City: Tons of restaurants and boutiques on Culver Blvd. Sony Studio HQ is nearby!
- Santa Monica Pier: The landmark is located at the end of Colorado Ave, 1.5 miles southwest of the end of the bike path (see Route #2).
Additional and alternative routes (west to east):
- Continue to Santa Monica oceanfront trail (Route #2)
- Connect to Ballona Creek bike path (Route #19)
- Connect to Venice Blvd (Route #9)
- Connect to Baldwin Hills (Route #3)
- Continue to Downtown LA (Route #6)
Cafe / Mid-City Santa Monica: The bike path ends here. This area is much less touristy than downtown Santa Monica. Check out Tartine and goodboybob coffee.
- Downtown Culver City: There is an abundance of cafés on Culver Blvd. Checkout Citizen Market food court
- Destroyer, Cognoscenti Coffee and Bianca are a few other places I like in Culver City.
Transit / LA Metro Expo Line runs along the majority of this route. The light rail connects downtown Santa Monica and LA!
11. Mount Vernon Trail
Spanning approximately 18 miles along the Potomac River, the Mount Vernon Trail (MVT) is one of the most beloved multi-use trails in the DC area. MVT is part of the 16-mile "Arlington Loop", which is made up of segments from the Mount Vernon, Custis, W&OD, and Four Mile Run trails (Routes 11-14).
• Start: South end of Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Finish: George Washington's Mount Vernon
• Course: 18 miles, 574 ft+, paved, multi-use path, some street crossings
Heading south from Rosslyn along the Potomac River, MVT treats runners to stunning views of the D.C. skyline. The trail winds through Lady Bird Johnson Park (Mile 2), where additional paths provide access to running routes around Arlington Cemetery or Crystal City. As you continue, you’ll reach Gravelly Point (near Mile 3), a popular spot for plane spotting just north of Reagan Airport.
Further south, the trail passes the Four Mile Run Trail trailhead (Mile 5) and enters Old Town Alexandria (Mile 8). Here, you’ll encounter charming cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Runners are briefly directed onto city streets (Union Street) before rejoining the trail.
After passing under the I-495 (Mile 9), the second half of the trail becomes quieter and more serene. This section meanders through wooded areas and open spaces, and runs parallel to the George Washington Memorial Parkway, leading all the way to the Mount Vernon Estate, the historic home of George Washington.
Cafe / The northern half of the MVT has a more urban vibe, with easy access to cafes and amenities in nearby shopping centers located in Rosslyn, Crystal City, Potomac Yard, and Old Town Alexandria. However, once you pass the I-495 overpass, the trail becomes more secluded.
Transit / MVT is accessible via several Metro stations located nearby, including Rosslyn, Crystal City, Potomac Yard, and King St-Old Town (Alexandria). Beyond Alexandria, WMATA Bus Route 11 runs along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. There are more bus options at the Mount Vernon Estate, at the end of this route.
12. Custis Trail
The Custis Trail is a popular multi-use trail located in Arlington, VA. It runs approximately 4.4 miles from Rosslyn to the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail (W&OD Trail). The trail takes its name from the Custis family, influential landowners in the region during the 18th and 19th centuries. Custis Trail is part of the 16-mile "Arlington Loop", which is made up of segments from the Mount Vernon, Custis, W&OD, and Four Mile Run trails (Routes 11-14).
• Start: South end of Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Finish: Washington and Old Dominion Trail
• Course: 4.4 miles, 398 ft+, paved, multi-use path, some street crossings
The trail largely parallels Interstate 66, offering a blend of urban and natural landscapes for cyclists, runners, and walkers. It features a series of gentle rolling hills, with a gradual incline as it moves westward. Along the way, you’ll encounter amenities such as benches, water fountains, and rest areas. Multiple access points and parking areas are available, making it convenient for both commuters and recreational users, who frequent the trail regularly.
Near the western end of the Custis Trail, just beyond Ballston, the Bluemont Junction Trail acts as an alternative link, connecting the W&OD Trail to the Custis Trail as it winds through Arlington's Bluemont neighborhood.
Cafe / Running somewhat parallel to the Custis Trail is Arlington's primary business corridor, stretching between Rosslyn and Ballston, both of which feature significant commercial districts. Along this corridor, you’ll find an array of excellent cafes, such as Simona Cafe and Northside Social, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the area.
Transit / The Rosslyn-Ballston corridor is well-served by five WMATA Metro stations, all accessible via the Orange and Silver Lines. Additionally, several WMATA and Arlington Transit bus routes operate in this area, providing convenient connections.
13. Washington and Old Dominion Trail
The Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail is a popular multi-use trail that stretches 45 miles from Arlington to Purcellville, following the route of the former Washington & Old Dominion Railroad. The east most section of the trail is part of the 16-mile "Arlington Loop", which is made up of segments from the Mount Vernon, Custis, W&OD, and Four Mile Run trails (Routes 11-14).
• Start: Trailhead off Shirlington Road
• Finish: as far as Purcellville, VA; this route ends at Downtown Vienna or Reston Town Center Metro Station
• Course: 11.3 miles, 526 ft+ (Vienna) or 18 miles, 753 ft+ (Reston), paved, multi-use path, some street crossings
The W&OD Trail passes through multiple towns in Northern Virginia, transitioning gradually from urban zones to suburban communities and finally to rural scenery as you head westward. The trail is predominantly flat, with a slight incline as it progresses toward Purcellville. It is clearly marked with mileposts every half-mile, beginning at mile 0 in Arlington and concluding at mile 44.5 in Purcellville. The trail is very popular among cyclists, particularly in the urban stretches between Arlington and Vienna.
The W&OD Trail connects with other trails, such as the Four Mile Run Trail (running parallel for approximately 4 miles), the Custis Trail, and the Bluemont Junction Trail (at Mile 4), offering seamless access to the extensive trail network of the D.C. metro area.
Cafe / One of the things I love most about running or biking on the W&OD Trail is that it winds through several delightful towns, each offering great café stops along the way. My personal favorites are Rarebird Coffee in downtown Falls Church and Frame Coffee in Vienna.
Transit / The WMATA Metro Silver and Orange Lines run somewhat parallel to W&OD, with several stations located near the trail. In particular, East Falls Church (Silver and Orange) and Reston Town Center (Silver) stations are within walking distance.
If you finish in Vienna, take the bus to Tysons where you'll find multiple shopping malls and metro stations.
14. Four Mile Run Trail
The Four Mile Run Trail is a scenic multi-use path in Arlington that follows the course of Four Mile Run, a stream that flows from Falls Church to the Potomac River. It is part of the 16-mile "Arlington Loop", which is made up of segments from the Mount Vernon, Custis, W&OD, and Four Mile Run trails (Routes 11-14).
• Start: Trailhead off Mt. Vernon Trail near Reagan Airport
• Finish: Trailhead off W&OD Trail in Bluemont Park
• Course: 6.35 miles, 313 ft+, paved, multi-use path, some street crossings
The eastern two miles of the Four Mile Run Trail, stretching from the Mount Vernon Trail to Shirlington Road, where the W&OD Trail begins, follows the north side of the stream, with an alternative route available on the south side within Four Mile Run Park. West of the W&OD Trailhead, the trail shifts to the south side of the stream, running parallel to the W&OD Trail and occasionally merging with it. The Four Mile Run Trail eventually joins the W&OD Trail near the intersections with the Custis Trail and Bluemont Junction Trail.
Unlike the more popular W&OD Trail, the Four Mile Run Trail provides a quieter and more serene experience, featuring narrower paths, more turns, slower traffic, ample shade, and gentle hills. It offers a tranquil atmosphere ideal for runners and walkers. Barcroft Park, Long Branch Nature Park, and Bluemont Park further enhance the trail experience, offering forested spaces and additional trails for users to relax, explore, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Cafe / Cafes are scattered along the streets that intersect the trail. For a higher concentration of dining options, head to Potomac Yard on the eastern end or Ballston on the western end of the trail (via. Bluemont Junction Trail).
Transit / The WMATA Metro Silver Line's Ballston-MU Station and the Yellow/Blue Lines' Potomac Yard Station are the closest Metro stations to the Four Mile Run Trail. Additionally, where the trail intersects with major city streets, you can find bus services that provide convenient connections to key transit hubs and Metro stations.
15. Arlington, VA
Originally part of the 10-square-mile area designated for Washington, D.C., Arlington is a city located directly across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital, with a strong connection to the nation's capital. The core running route in Arlington is the 16-mile "Arlington Loop", which is made up of segments from the Mount Vernon, Custis, W&OD, and Four Mile Run trails (Routes 11-14). In this post, we’ll explore other great running routes and destinations in Arlington.
• Arlington Cemetery Loop
Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most significant cemeteries in the United States. A network of connected multi-use paths encircles the cemetery, connecting Arlington's two downtown areas: the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and Crystal City, and passing by sites like Marine Corps War Memorial and Air Force Memorial.
• Theodore Roosevelt Island
The serene 88.5-acre Theodore Roosevelt Island is a natural memorial featuring a 1.35-mile mostly dirt trail that loops around the island. The island is connected to the Mt Vernon Trail in Rosslyn by a bridge.
• Columbia Island
Between Arlington National Cemetery and the Potomac River, along the Mt Vernon Trail, Columbia Island offers another fantastic running destination. Explore the picturesque trails in Lady Bird Johnson Park, which provide lush landscapes and great views of the Pentagon, Boundary Channel and the Pentagon Lagoon.
• Crystal City
A connector trail links the Mt Vernon Trail to Long Bridge Park, a modern green space featuring a scenic esplanade, wide multi-use trails, and various recreational facilities. Further south, another connector trail passes through the fast growing Crystal City and reconnects with the Mt Vernon Trail.
Cafe / There are plenty of cafes in two of Arlington's busiest areas, Rosslyn and Crystal City.
Transit / WMATA Metro Silver Line serves Rosslyn, while the Yellow and Blue Lines serve Crystal City.
16. Alexandria, VA
Alexandria is a city on the Potomac River, just south of Washington, D.C. It is renowned for its Old Town, characterized by brick sidewalks and beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture.
• Potomac Yard Trail
Once a major rail yard and later a bustling industrial hub, Potomac Yard has been transformed into a vibrant, redeveloped area. It now features the 24-acre Potomac Yard Park and a 2.1-mile paved trail that connects the Mount Vernon Trail (Route 11) and the Four Mile Run Trail (Route 14) in the north to the WMATA Braddock Road Station in the south. The trail further extends to the Alexandria Train Station and WMATA Station via the Braddock-King Path.
• Old Town Alexandria
Old Town Alexandria is a historic and picturesque neighborhood situated along the Potomac River in Alexandria, seamlessly integrated with the Mount Vernon Trail (Route 11). Its main thoroughfare, King Street, is lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and over 200 restaurants and cafes.
• Holmes Run Trail
Another major running path in Alexandria is the trail along Holmes Run and Eisenhower Ave. Just south of Alexandria Station, Eisenhower Ave parallels I-495 and features a raised multi-use path on its southern sidewalk. At its western end, the path connects to the Holmes Run Trail, which follows the Holmes Run waterway for several miles and winds through a series of parks, including Ben Brenman Park, Dora Kelley Nature Park, and Holmes Run Stream Valley Park.
This route concludes at the Columbia Pike trailhead, though the Holmes Run Trail continues westward, with a brief break through the Lake Barcroft neighborhood, eventually reaching West Falls Church.
Cafe / Along King St in Old Town Alexandria and Mt Vernon Ave in the Del Ray neighborhood, you'll find lots of cafe options.
Transit / WMATA Yellow and Blue Lines runs through Alexandria, connecting the city to DC, Maryland, and Arlington, VA.
