Now that summer’s heat has subsided, it’s the perfect time to venture into the wild. Check out these four hikes in and near Northern Virginia for beautiful fall views.
Bears Den Overlook
This Bluemont hike is short, with a big payoff in views. It’s an out-and-back route of about 1.9 miles and is family-friendly with an elevation gain of about 289 feet. From the top, you’ll get broad west-facing views of the Shenandoah Valley. Bluemont
Great Falls Park
Great Falls is beautiful every time of year, but it’s really something special in autumn. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the falls from the overlook before exploring some of the 15 miles of hiking trails. Many paths offer river views throughout the hike, too. Great Falls
Mary’s Rock Summit
In Shenandoah National Park, Mary’s Rock is a challenging but rewarding hike with nearly 360-degree views of the Shenandoah Valley. It’s a 3.7-mile round-trip hike with a relatively steep climb, rising 1,210 feet in elevation. Shenandoah National Park
Bull Run Occoquan Trail
Stroll through the woods to take in the sights and sounds of nature in Fairfax County. There are more than 5,000 acres of scenic woodlands, trailing from Bull Run Regional Park to Fountainhead Regional Park. Prefer wheels? Mountain bikes are allowed on the stretch of trail between Fountainhead and Bull Run Marina. Centreville–Fairfax Station
This story originally ran in our October issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
