If you’ve spent any time in NoVA, you’ve likely crossed paths with the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park—or, more commonly, the W&OD—at some point. But beyond biking and hiking, the 45-mile ribbon of land packs in an amazing number of attractions, from breweries to skate parks to gourmet picnic sources to a formal rose garden. Here, some stops worth knowing about.
1. ARLINGTON (Miles 0–3)
Trailhead: Weenie Beenie
Restrooms: In the Exxon across from the trailhead
Parking: Limited parking available along the side of South Four Mile Run Drive; W&OD Trail parking near 5800 North Carlin Springs Road
2. EAST FALLS CHURCH (Miles 3–6)
Mile 3.5: Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden and Powhatan Springs Skatepark
Mile 4.5: Madison Manor Park (water, playgrounds, restrooms)
Mile 5: East Falls Church Metro Station, Benjamin Banneker Park, Bikenetic, South Block, Chasin’ Tails (Louisiana seafood-boil experience)
Parking: The rose garden; off Wilson Boulevard, just west of the gardens, on the south side of the road; the skate park; and the Metro station.
3. FALLS CHURCH (Miles 6–9)
115 E. Fairfax St.: The Falls Church
220 N. Washington St.: State Theater, with free outdoor concerts after 5 p.m., snacks, meals, and libations.
205 Park Ave.: Northside Social
Parking: Dedicated spots open farther down at the intersection of Cedar and Reflection Lanes in Vienna
4. VIENNA (Miles 9–15)
120 Cherry St.: Vienna Community Center
224 Maple Ave. East: Spokes Etc.
204-D Mill St. NE: M3 Bike Shop
Mile 11.8: Historic Train Station off Church and Mill Streets on Ayr Hill Road (restrooms)
Mile 12: Caboose Brewing Co. and Tavern
Mile 14: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
120 Church St. NE: Cocoa Vienna (homemade chocolates)
107 Church St. NE: Caffe Amouri (specialty coffees and teas)
208 Dominion Rd. NE: Greenheart Juice Shop
Mile 14.5: Hunter Mill Road crossing toward Reston (restrooms)
Parking: Vienna Community Center (Mile 11.3); Historic Train Station (Mile 11.8); Clarks Crossing Road, off Beulah (Mile 13.3)
5. RESTON (Miles 15–19)
11150 Sunset Hills Rd.: The Bike Lane
Mile 16.8: McDonalds
1862 Wiehle Ave.: Reston Station East (Metro station)
Off New Dominion Pkwy.: Reston Town Center (restaurants, shops)
Parking: 7-Eleven store (11714 Sunset Hills Rd.); Reston North Park and Ride (11300 Sunset Hills Rd.); behind the Bike Lane (11150 Sunset Hills Rd.).
6. HERNDON (Miles 19–22)
Mile 20: The Elden Street Tea Shop; Green Lizard Cycling
Mile 20.5: Herndon Community Center (restrooms, indoor pool )
Mile 21: Trailside Park (restrooms, playgrounds, skatepark)
742 Lynn St.: Dairy Queen
Parking: Near Elden and Station Streets
7. STERLING (Miles 22–26)
Mile 22.3: Beltway Brewing Company
Mile 22.5: Daybreak Kitchen and Biscuit Company (weekend brunch hotspot); Crooked Run Brewing and Nectar Cocktail Bar (cold-pressed juices, mimosas, and infused beers); Sweet Signatures (breakfast pastries, protein bars)
Mile 24: Restrooms
Mile 25: Old Ox Brewery
Parking: Near mile 24, near intersection of Auto World Circle and Pacific Blvd.
8. ASHBURN (Miles 26–31)
Mile 26: Smith Switch Station (restrooms)
Mile 27.5: Air pump, restrooms
Mile 28.5: Trailside Park (roller hockey rink, playground)
Mile 29: Luck Stone Quarry
Mile 30: Two Creeks Trail Area (hiking); Carolina Brothers Pit Barbeque
Parking: Where the trail intersects Ashburn Road, directly across from Carolina Brothers Pit Barbeque
9. LEESBURG (Miles 31–37)
141 Catoctin Cir.: Eric Brown Skate Plaza; Raflo Park and Sculpture Gardens (restrooms)
203 Harrison St.: South Street Under
Parking: Behind the Douglass Community Center (trail is directly behind the building through the picnic area)
10. PAEONIAN SPRINGS/HAMILTON (Miles 37–43)
40333 Charles Town Pike: Chase Run Stable (horses)
Mile 39.5: Vino9MARKET (takeaway food, beer, wine)
Mile 41: Restrooms
11. PURCELLVILLE (Miles 43–45)
609 E. Main St.: Bicycles and Coffee
120 W. Main St.: Catoctin Creek Distillery
250 S. Nursery Ave.: Historic Bush Tabernacle (indoor roller rink)
251 N. 21st St.: Monk’s BBQ
Trailhead: Train station (restrooms); Sweet Rose Bakeshop (breakfast treats, tea, coffee)
Parking: Several lots in town, including near the train station and near Catoctin Creek Distillery.
This story originally ran in our July issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.