Purcellville

The end of the line for the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) (currently) is in Purcellville. Forty-five miles east on the trail is Shirlington, a vastly different place. Instead of the busy Interstate 95 traffic and dense housing, you’ll find in Purcellville a relatively small town (this is changing). It has churches, small restaurants, and a Main Street that you could identify without reading the street signs. Were you to make the trip out and back in a day on bike, a near century ride, you’d see on the W&OD, one city blend into another, one suburb meld into another, and one field fuse into another. Running between Paeonian Springs and Purcellville is like saving some of the best for last. The paved W&OD Trail previously ended in Leesburg. Though it ends in Purcellville now, an extension may take it even 2.4 miles more to Round Hill. Though funding for this was applied for by the town of Round Hill in 1999 it was not awarded by the state. They haven’t given the idea up yet however.

Getting There

From the Capital Beltway

Take Exit 12, for the Washington Dulles Access and Toll Road, Rte. 267, west. When getting on to the expressway, stay to the outer (right) lanes. The inner (left) lanes are only for access to Washington Dulles International Airport. After 12 miles, just past Sully Rd., Rte. 28, a second toll must be paid to continue on Rte. 267; from here called the Dulles Greenway. Follow the Dulles Greenway approximately 12 miles further, to Leesburg. Head West on the Rte. 7 bypass toward Winchester. Approximately 7 miles past Leesburg, exit for Purcellville and turn left at the stop sign on Berlin Turnpike, Rte. 287. Turn right on Colonial Hwy., Rte. 7 Business, into town. One and a quarter miles later, turn right on Hillsboro Rd., Rte. 690. Park near the museum and visitor center on the right. The trail is directly behind the building.

Area Routes

Paeonian Springs (12.35 miles, X)

Leaving Purcellville, at first the way is flat. After crossing to the other side of the Harry Byrd Hwy., Rte. 7, the trail starts descending steadily. Most of this is in the trees, however views occasionally open up to the north, on the left side of the trail. After the third mile out from Purcellville, bottom out and leave the W&OD at Hamilton Station Rd., Rte 704. Take Irene

Road, which is somewhat flat and sunny to Meadowlark Dr. Meadowlark is still sunny but is hilly and somewhat stark. Use Simpson Circle (an alternate starting point) in Paeonian Springs to join the trail again for the return trip. Miles 39 and 40 of the W&OD Trail (back toward Hamilton Station Rd.) can be breathtaking. The trees form a long tunnel. Ralph Keith, a

member of the Loudoun Road Runners suggested the loop portion of this route.

Nearby and Connecting Zones

Leesburg

Taylorstown

What to do Afterward

Food and Drink

Fran’s Place - 540 338-3200

White Palace Restaurant - 540 338-3200

Pen Oriental Kitchen - 540 338-1894

Purcellville Inne - 540 338-2075

Entertainment and Edification

Purceville Visitor Center and Museum

Old Waterford

Tarara Winery - Leesburg - 703 771-7100

Paeonian Springs

Distance: 12.35 miles

Rating: X; mostly shady paved trail with some sunny paved roads

R 0.0 from Hillsboro Rd, Rte 690, take the W&OD Trail east

0.15 Mile Marker 45

0.2 Hatcher St; portable outhouse & parking

0.9 Maple Ave

1.25 W&OD Trail joins Hirst Rd

1.3 Mile Marker 44

CL 1.4 at T; Berlin Turnpike, Rte 287

1.55 underpass Harry Byrd Hwy, Rte 7

R 1.65 W&OD Trail

2.1 Mile Marker 43

2.8 Ivandale Rd, Rte 709

3.1 Mile Marker 42; bottom of grade

R/L 3.8 R on Hamilton Station Rd, Rte 704; L on Irene Rd (use shoulder)

R 4.55 at T; Meadowlark Dr, Rte 800

5.15 Quail Creek Circle on L

5.35 Quail Creek Circle on L

R 6.0 Simpson Circle

L 6.3 W&OD Trail (tunnel through the trees!)

6.75 Simpson Circle

7.3 Mile Marker 40 (tunnel through the trees!)

8.3 Mile Marker 41

8.55 Hamilton Station Rd, Rte 704

9.25 Mile Marker 42; bottom of grade

9.55 Ivandale Rd, Rte 709

10.25 Mile Marker 43

L 10.7 at T; Berlin Turnpike, Rte 287

10.75 underpass Harry Byrd Hwy, Rte 7

CR 10.95 Hirst St; to stay on W&OD Trail

11.1 W&OD Trail leaves Hirst Rd

11.2 Mile Marker 44

11.45 Maple Ave

12.16 Hatcher St; portable outhouse & parking

12.2 Mile Marker 45

L 12.35 Hillsboro Rd, Rte 690

Paeonian Springs