Whether exercising, com-muting, or taking a leisurely ride, biking is a great way to explore the local area. In Northern Virginia, there are endless opportunities to explore if one knows the best places to look.
Arlington, Virginia is a great place to get around by bicycle. From scenic trails and dedicated on-street bike lanes to the chance to bike along the Potomac River for dazzling views of the Capital skyline, bicycling is an excellent op-portunity for visitors to see Arlington in a whole new way. Arlington features more than one hundred miles of multi-use trails as well as on-street bike lanes and designated bike routes to make it easy for cyclists to get where they need to go. In fact, the “Arlington Loop,” a 17-mile route around Arlington, offers the chance to see all of Arlington’s top attractions via two wheels. What’s more, visitors don’t need to worry about finding a bike, as the region’s Capital Bikeshare program offers more than 80 stations throughout Arlington (and more in the D.C. area), making it simple to hop on a bike almost anywhere. And for those looking to delve a little deeper, Arlington’s BikeArlington organization has put together a series of neighborhood bike routes to let you explore the area a little more. Whether sightseeing, shopping, or just looking to explore in a new way, biking is an excellent way to get out and discover Arlington.
For visitors who’d like to explore more of Northern Virginia, the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park Trail is the perfect way to see it all on two wheels. The trail, affectionately known as the “skinniest park in Virginia,” starts in Arlington and runs 45 miles west through Fairfax County and into Loudoun County. Pass by horseback riders, joggers, and fellow bikers, or make a pit stop at one of the many restaurants and local breweries situated along the trail.
With more than 5,000 miles of roadway and 900 miles of trails, biking in Fairfax County is becoming an increasingly popular way to navigate the diverse terrain, from paved roadways and mountain bike courses to both paved and off-road trails. Urban areas of the County like Reston and Tysons are embracing initiatives such as Capital Bikeshare (coming this fall!) to encourage residents and visitors to try new and convenient ways of getting around. For a more scenic and leisurely route, riders can take the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River to the home of America’s first President at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Alternatively, the 40-mile Cross County Trail is a beautiful way for riders to see the various stream valleys that dot Fairfax County’s eclectic landscape. Mountain bike enthusiasts can try their skills at the MTB Trail at Fountainhead Regional Park, a multi-use course that is known as one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic. For more information on trails and biking resources within Fairfax County, be sure to pick up a copy of the Fairfax Bicycle Map or get it on your mobile device.
Visit www.fxva.com and www.stayarlington.com for more destination information.