Best Biking & Cycling Trails Near Washington, DC

Take a look at some of our favourite cycling trails in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia, USA.

Cycling in American National Parks Sites

Rock Creek Park Cycling Trails

Trail type: Paved multi-use trail

In Rock Creek Park, trade Washington, DC’s bustling city delights in favour of the great outdoors — all without having to leave the city limits. A collection of paved paths and an on-road bike route weave throughout this urban oasis, where you might spot fox, deer and colourful migratory birds. Sharp curves and descents add to this ride’s fun, which you can enjoy year-round.

Note: Some roads throughout the park are shared with vehicles.

C&O Canal National Historic Park, Maryland, USA

Trail type: Gravel and hard-packed dirt multi-use trail

Cycle 184.5 miles (297 km) alongside the Potomac River from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington, DC. You’ll ride on the towpath itself, which is the actual route once used by mules that pulled boats along the waterway. The canal also played an important role in the US Civil War, in which it was used to transport troops and supplies. Learn more about that — and take a mule-pulled boat tour from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center in Potomac, Maryland. Or stick to cycling and enjoy the wild violets, lilies and phlox that line the trail as you pass historical structures.

Note: The towpath is not paved, so hybrid, gravel and mountain bikes are your best options.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia, USA

Trail type: Scenic motorway

The 469-mile (758-km) Blue Ridge Parkway is a national scenic byway that winds through parks and forests, past historical towns and waterfalls, near many museums and wineries, and connects to Virginia’s famously scenic Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Spanning the southern and central Appalachian Mountains, the parkway offers prime opportunities to see a wide array of wildflowers in the spring and summer, bright orange, red and yellow foliage in fall and wildlife like wild turkeys and black bears throughout the year.

Note: The route is shared with vehicles and does not have designated bike lanes, so always be mindful of your surroundings.

Check out more US National Parks in the Capital Region.

Mountain Biking in Washington, DC, Maryland & Virginia USA

Fort Dupont Park, Washington, DC

Trail type: Gravel mountain bike trail

Believe it or not, you can mountain bike in America’s capital city. Fort Dupont, a park located in DC’s Anacostia neighbourhood, is home to nearly 10 miles (16 km) of gravel and dirt trails. Known for its rolling hills and the occasional water bar (a ditch or mound constructed to help offset erosion), the trail also bypasses remains of the US Civil War fort for which it was named. Connect to the Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail to add some length to your ride.

Discover other things to do in DC neighbourhoods.

Gambrill State Park, Maryland, USA

Trail type: Singletrack mountain bike trail

Featuring steep climbs and rock-strewn sections, Gambrill State Park’s Yellow Trail is a roughly 7-mile (11-km) loop that rides the ridgeline of Catoctin Mountain. The trail is a favourite among seasoned cyclists and is known for being one of the most technically challenging mountain biking paths in Maryland. As you ride, admire the beauty of the Monocacy Valley and unparalleled panoramas of lush Catoctin Mountain Park, which is peppered with mountain laurel, flowering dogwoods and other gorgeous blooms in the springtime.

Explore more state parks in Maryland and Virginia.

Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Virginia, USA

Trail type: Singletrack mountain bike trail, gravel and other varied terrain

Set near the city of Roanoke, Virginia’s Blue Ridge is known as America’s East Coast Mountain Bike Capital. The region boasts 400 miles (643.7 km) of trails that make their way through hardwood forests, over rocky terrain and past scenic views of rivers adorned with morning mist and farmland. The area is so renowned for its excellent mountain biking opportunities, it’s even earned a coveted designation as a Silver-Level Ride Center from the International Mountain Bicycling Associating.­­­­­­

Paved, Scenic Cycling Rides

Mount Vernon Trail, Washington, DC

Trail type: Paved multi-use path

Begin the 36-mile (58-km) Mount Vernon Trail at tranquil Theodore Roosevelt Island, where you’ll find swampy lowlands and dense woodlands  as you travel to Mount Vernon — the estate of America’s first president — in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. On the return journey, enjoy the seemingly never-ending views of Washington, DC’s iconic skyline as you pedal along the Potomac River. For a longer ride, connect with other regional routes, including the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Four Mile Run Trail and Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail.

Oxford/St. Michaels Bike Loop, Maryland USA

Trail type: Scenic roadway

Explore Maryland’s charming Eastern Shore on the 29.6-mile (47.6-km) Oxford/St. Michaels Loop. This trail makes its way through quaint coastal towns, as it follows rivers and crosses creeks. You’ll even board a ferry to complete the loop. Stops along the way include the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the locally owned shops and restaurants of St. Michaels and Oxford.

Note: The route is shared with vehicles and does not have designated bike lanes, so always be mindful of your surroundings.

Virginia Capital Trail, Virginia USA

Trail type: Paved multi-use path

A paved pedestrian and bicycle pathway between Jamestown — the Colonial capital of Virginia — and the state’s present capital of Richmond, the 52-mile Virginia Capital Trail follows Highway 5 along the James River. Points of interest along the way include Historic Jamestown, American Revolutionary War battlegrounds and the former home of John Tyler, America’s 10th president.

For outdoor adventures in America’s Capital Region:

Explore more scenic bike trails in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia, USA.

Find things to do in the Capital Region every season of the year.

Find tour operators.