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Northern Virginia
 

   

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Multi-Use Legend H=Hiking/Walking E=Equestrian B=Biking
Hnt=Hunting
 

Please Note:  Although the information below may have been acurate at the time it was added to our site, trails rules, regulations and uses change.  Please contact the trail owner/manager to verify all trail information.  We can not guaranty the accuracy of the information.
The Trails listed below are from a compilation from various internet sources, as well as personal experiences of our members.  If you know any additional details or information or there are any discrepancies, please contact the Webmaster at jeffshoup@comcast.net .

Trail Name

Location

County

Other Description

Comments

Type of Construction and Length or Area

Manassas Battlefield
(see writeup below)
Click here for trail map
H
E

Horse Trailer parking at intersection of Rt. 29 and Featherbed

US Gov. National Park

Historical Monuments, Visitors Center


Park Pass required which can be purchased at Visitors Center, some trails pedestrian only.
www.nps.gov/mana/home.htm.

natural surface and some wood chip covered trails

29 Miles

Conway Robinson State Forest (see writeup below)

Click here for trail map

H
E
B

Route 29,
Lee Hwy,
north of the
Gainesville
1-66 interchange
Gainesville, Virginia.

Virginia State Forest,
Prince William

Picnic Area,




Note: manure must be picked up from the parking and picnic areas.

natural surface

400 acres

Heritage Park
H
E
B
Bristow Rd, just off Rt. 28 Prince William     natural surface
approx 5 miles
James Long Park
(unofficial trails)
H
E
B
Rt. 15, North of Haymarket, VA Prince William Nice sand ring near trail for working/training purposes in conjunction with using the trails. Trails are "unofficial" trails, not on the Park Authority's park map, however, the trails have been well established and used by the community for many years.  Plenty of trailer parking. natural surface
approx 4 miles

Nokesville Park Equestrian Trail
E

Nokesville Park
Aden Rd
Nokesville, Virginia, 20181

Prince William

 

Nice sand ring near trail for working/training purposes in conjunction with using the trail. 

natural surface
approx. 2 miles

Valley View Park
 Equestrian Trail
E

Valley View Park,
11930 Valley View Drive Dr,
Nokesville, Virginia, 20181

Prince William

 

The trail is only about 2 miles long.  Even though the trail is short, use this trail and it's "natural" challenges for training and short rides.

natural surface
approx 2 miles

Sky Meadows Bridle Trail
H
E

Sky Meadows State Park
Rt. 17
Delaplane, VA

Fauquier

Horseback riding only available in the "Bridle Trails" area, eastern side of Rt. 17 

Click here for driving directions map

Click here for trail map

natural surface

Thompson Wildlife Management Reserve
H
E
B
Hnt

Leeds Manor Rd, Markham, VA

Fauquier
Warren

Link to VA Dept of Game & Fisheries website

Link to location map/driving directions

Link to Thompson Reserve Map (pdf)
Adobe Acrobat required to open pdf map

The G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area is among the most popular of Game Department hunting lands. The opportunity to hunt, fish, view spectacular displays of wildflowers, or hike a stretch of the famous Appalachian Trail contribute to the area’s broad appeal. Horseback riding is permitted on the trails but not recommended during hunting seasons.  

4000 acres
many miles of natural surface trails.

Graves Mountain
Click here for trail map
H
E

Syria, VA

Madison

natural surface

Rock Creek Park
H
E
B
Washington,
DC
District
of
Columbia
Park website:
http://www.nps.gov/rocr

Park Map

 

You can go horseback riding at the Horse Stables which is located next to the Nature Center. The Horse Stable does not rent horses, they give guided tours that last about an hour and cost $30. They have pony rides for young children at least 30" tall for $20.00. For more information call the Horse stables at
202-362-0118.
Or you may bring your own horse. You may park your trailer at the Nature Center, but please stick to the designated bridle trails.

The main section of Rock Creek Park is 1754 acres.

Pohick Bay Regional Park
H,E

Lorton, Virginia

Fairfax

Bridle Path, Swimming Pool, Camping, Picnic tables, Nature Trails, Boating, Miniature Golf, Fishing

  www.nvrpa.org/pohickbay.html

natural surface
4 miles

Frying Pan Park
E

Herndon, Virginia

Fairfax

Working Farm Demos, Scouting & 4-H, Country Store, Hayrides

Indoor & outdoor areas, cross country course
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm

natural surface

3 miles/ 23 acres

Potomac Heritage Trail
H,E
Click here for map
Great Falls, Virginia
Fairfax

Trail from Seneca Rd to Riverbend Park along the river

Connects to Riverbend Park
natural surface

about 6 miles

Riverbend Park
H,E,B
Click here for trail maps
1,. Upland Trail
2. RB to Great Falls

Great Falls, Virginia

Fairfax

Nature Center, Boat Ramp, Picnic Area

Connects to Potomac Heritage Trail and Great Falls Park
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm

natural surface & gravel fire road
5 miles/ 400 acres

Great Falls Park
H,E,B

Click here for trail map

Great Falls, Virginia

Fairfax

Visitor Center, Rock Climbing, Picnic Area

Connects to Riverbend Park and Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail
www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa

natural surface & gravel fire roads
5 miles/ 800 acres

Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail
H,E,B
Click here for trail map

Great Falls, Virginia

Fairfax

 

Connects to Great Falls Park and Colvin Run Stream Valley Trail and Cross County Trail
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm

natural surface
3.5 miles

Colvin Run Stream Valley Trail
H,E,B
Click here for trail map

Great Falls, Virginia

Fairfax

 

Connects to Lake Fairfax Park, Cross County Trail & Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm

natural surface
3 miles

Lake Fairfax Park
H,E,B
Click here for trail map

Reston, Virginia

Fairfax

Picnic Area, Camping, Water Mine Family Swimming Area, Soccer and Baseball Fields

Connects to Colvin Run Stream Valley Trail & WO&D Trail
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm

natural surface
4 miles/ 476 acres

Cross County Trail
H,E,B
Click here for trail maps - 
1. Overview

2. Loop     
3.W&OD-OakMarr

Great Falls, Virginia to Pohick Stream Valley in Virginia

Fairfax

Open to Horses from Great Park to Oak Marr Park

Connects to WO&D,Difficult Run,Colvin Run,
http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/index.html

natural surface, stone dust, paved

31.5 miles(Total)

W&OD Trail
H
E
B

Vienna, Virginia to Purcellville, Virginia

Fairfax & Loudoun

Hiking/Biking/Equestrian Trail: 45-mile paved trail with adjacent crushed gravel trail; for horseback riders, pedestrians and cyclists

Connects to Lake Fairfax Trail, Cross County Trail
http://www.nvrpa.org/wod.html

natural surface & stone dust horse trail adjacent to paved pedestrian and bicycle trail
30 miles

Bull Run Regional Park Trail
(see writeup below)
Click here for trail map
H,E

Centreville, Virginia

Fairfax

PicnicArea,Camping, Playground, Swimming Pool,MinatureGolf, Soccer Fields,Public Shooting Center

Connects to Bull Run Occoquan Trail
www.nvrpa.org/bullrunpark.html

1.5 miles

Bull Run Occoquan Trail
Click here for trail map
H,E

Centreville, Virginia

Fairfax

The trail follows Bull Run Creek and the Occoquan River. The trail also passes through Hemlock Overlook and Bull Run Marina Regional Parks. The trail is intended for hiking or horseback riding, biking is not allowed.

Connects to Bull Run Regional Park Trail and Fountainhead Regional Park
www.nvrpa.org/bullrunpark.html

natural surface

17.5 miles

Fountainhead Regional Park
(see writeup below)

Click here for trail map
H,E,B

Fairfax Station, Virginia

Fairfax

Fishing,Boatramp,Canoeing, boat rentals Mountain Bike Trail (no horses),Picnic shelter, tables and grills. Miniature golf, Nature trails, Marina Building: sandwiches, rest rooms,Tackle shop.

Trailhead to Bull Run Occoquan Equestrian Trail
http://www.nvrpa.org/fountainhead.html

natural surface

10 miles

Burke Lake Park
H,E

Fairfax Station, Virginia

Fairfax

 

 http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm

 

Clarks Crossing Park
H
E
B

9850 Clarks Crossing Rd. Vienna, Virginia

Fairfax

 

Trails wind through the park to join the W.&O.D. Trail.
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm

natural surface

3.2 miles/143 acres

Fox Mill District Park
E

2801 Fox Mill Rd. Herndon, Virginia

Fairfax

 

 http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/equest.htm

natural surface
2 miles/ 208 acres

Fountainhead Regional Park is nestled in the southern part of Fairfax County along the banks of the Occoquan River and is open from mid-March through November. It is a heavily wooded area abundant in wildlife. It is here that the Clifton Horse Society received permission from the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to develop and maintain approximately ten miles of trails meandering through the quiet forests and along peaceful streams in the section of park east of the main entrance. The trails are all color-coded and marked with colored horseshoes painted on the trees. A large map of the trails is posted in a kiosk at the equestrian trail entrance off the main parking lot. Maps can be obtained by calling Wilma Kime at 703-222-8253 or e-mail: wkime@cox.rr.com or chs9@aol.com. Local riders are available who are willing to serve as guides.

At the equestrian trail entrance off the main parking lot, the trail splits. The left fork follows The Blue Trail (blazed with blue slashes on the trees) 17.5 miles northwest to Bull Run Park. Horses are allowed on this trail but there are several places where horses must detour off the main trail because it is impassable for horses. Currently, these detours are not marked.  A local rider is useful to serve as a guide at these points.

The right fork at the equestrian entrance is marked with blue horseshoes. The trail continues back along the side of the park road toward the entrance and then crosses to the east and eventually connects with the orange, white, and yellow horseshoe trails. These are the trails developed by the Clifton Horse Society. They run through heavily-wooded, hilly areas with spectacular views of the Occoquan River and Sandy Run. The trails range in difficulty from fairly easy at the beginning to moderately difficult because of the hills. Especially during rainy periods, there are muddy crossings. The trails to the east are not rocky, and shoes on horses are not required. 

Directions:
From I-66: Take Exit 55 south (Route 7100/Fairfax County Parkway) toward Springfield. Go 5 miles south on the parkway and take the Route 123/Ox Road exit. Turn left at the light. Take Route 123 south about 3 miles and turn right on Route 643/Henderson Road. Go 2 miles west on Henderson Road and turn left on Route 647/Hampton Road. Go 1 mile south on Hampton Road and turn right into the entrance to Fountainhead Regional Park. Park in the first parking lot after the Maintenance Shed.

From the south via I-95: Take Exit 160 north (Route 123/Gordon Blvd.) Go 4 miles north on Route 123 (which becomes Ox Road after crossing the Occoquan River) and turn left on Route 647/Hampton Road. Go 3 miles west on Hampton Road and turn left into the entrance to Fountainhead Regional Park. Park in the first parking lot after the Maintenance Shed.

From Manassas: Take the Prince William Parkway 2 miles south of the city limits and turn left on Yates Ford Road. Cross the Bull Run and continue on Yates Ford Road until it runs into Henderson Road. Bear left on Henderson Road. Follow it until it ends at Clifton Road. Turn right. Go 2 miles to the 4-way stop with Route 610/Wolf Run Shoals Road. Turn right. Go 1 mile south to the 3-way stop with Route 643/Henderson Road. Turn left. Go 1/2 mile east and turn right on Route 647/Hampton Road. Go 1 mile south and turn right into the entrance to Fountainhead Regional Park.
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Here you will find 50 miles of all types of trails. You can easily ride all day long and never get bored or cross the same place twice. Most of the trails are hard-packed dirt with wooden borders on either side. It is imperative that everyone stays on the trails due to the park's historical status. The trails wind through the woods, marshes, creeks, pine forests, and fields. Half of the trails are single-track and the other half have wider paths. One of the best perks is that there are hardly any bugs whatsoever! There is no standing water, which might contribute to this wonderful benefit. Take Rt. 234 north and proceed through the first traffic light, make a second right and the Henry Hill Visitor Center is located at top of hill. For more information, contact the Battlefield Equestrian Society (who maintains the trails in the park), w
ww.BattlefieldEquestrianSociety.org  or the park itself at www.nps.gov/mana/home.htm.
Bull Run Regional Park
This park has about 9 miles of hard, dirt trails through wooded areas. The trails are very flat and run through several marsh areas, some with boardwalks over them. This park was designed with the naturalist in mind. While there are many open fields, the trails only run through the woodlands. The streams are beautiful and the bluebells and other wildflowers in the spring are fantastic! Take I-66 to Exit 52 (Rt. 29) at Centreville, drive 2 miles south, turn left onto Bull Run Post Office Road and follow the signs to the park entrance. www.nvrpa.org/bullrunpark.html
There usually is no fee to ride the horse trails for Fairfax County residents, although sometimes on the weekends the park does collect a small entrance fee. There is a designated horse trailer parking lot about ½ mile from the entrance to the park. The trails are well maintained, but be prepared to encounter hikers with children and dogs. The trails are also well marked with painted blazes. For those adventurous riders, you can cross Bull Run, ride under Rt. 66 and enter Manassas Battlefield Park trails (you still need a pass to ride there). The park is open from mid-March to mid-November.

Pohick Bay Regional Park
There is a charge of $4.50 per vehicle day rate. The park has approximately 10 miles of well-marked and well-maintained trails. Trails range from flat to rolling hills. Eagles and other wildlife can be spotted on the trail along the Bay. The park is open all year and is located off Old Colchester Road near Lorton. Contact them: www.nvrpa.org/pohickbay.html

Great Falls Park
There is a small fee to enter the park. The park has a designated horse trailer parking lot about ½ mile from the entrance on the right. The trails are about four or five miles in length, but riders can follow the River Trail upstream to Riverbend Park and back. The trails are are multi-use. The park is open all year and is located in McLean, off Georgetown Pike north of the Capital Beltway . www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa
 Conway Robinson State Forest
This 400 acre Forest is a mixture of pine and old growth hardwood stands. It is a wildlife and wildflower sanctuary, and is used for environmental education, hiking, preservation of historic sites, watershed protection and timber production.
   
Wildlife, wildflowers, century-old trees and pine plantations soothe the mind and refresh the soul as you walk within this 400 acre forest. Hike past an old homesite and the historic Manassas Gap Railroad bed used during the Civil War. Picnic areas available, but there are no services or restrooms.


Directions:
Located in Prince William County adjacent to Manassas National Battle Field. On the west side of State Route 29 north of the intersection of Route 1-66 at Gainesville, Virginia.

From I-66, take Exit 43B (U.S. 29 N). Forest is located just northeast of I-66 on the west side of U.S. 29.
From I-95, take Exit 152 (Rt. 234N) to Rt. 66 West. Follow above directions.