Washington & Old Dominion Park, Sterling

Twenty-four miles out from Shirlington, the Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) is a little over half-way to its end in Purcellville. Once the trail used to disappear on the western horizon surrounded by open farm fields. Now it does the same, only surrounded by office parks. The office parks have so far left a lot of open area however and the trail’s surroundings are nice. A bridge had to be built over Sully Rd, Rte. 28. in a testament to both the road’s increased use, and the trail’s. Cyclists often start from this location since there are few other roads to cross when headed west. You can also access Claude Moore Park from here, where natural surface trails circle that park.

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. Exit after 12 miles going northward at Exit-9 onto Sully Rd., Rte. 28. After passing under the W&OD Trail, 3.5 miles from the toll road, Steeplechase Dr. will be on your right at a traffic light. Turn left instead onto the access road, and park at the end of the lot, just before the W&OD Trail overpass.

Area Routes

Scout Trail (7.45 or 7.5 Miles, VII)

In Claude Moore Park, there is an abundance of dirt trails. Not only does one trail circle the park, but two do. So many short trails are in the area near the Visitor Center, that it’s hard figure them all out. The paths are blazed but one thing park management does differently from other parks is that a yellow blaze denotes a short connecting trail between two major trails. Mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails in Claude Moore Park.

Getting to Claude Moore Park, take the W&OD Trail over Sully Rd. until just before reaching Church Rd. Ruritan Circle will connect you to Church Rd. where after, a short paved trail can be followed. The trail runs out unfortunately but after only two tenths of a mile on a grassy shoulder, you can use a sidewalk along Cascades Pkwy. to finally reach Claude More Park. As you come in on Lanesmore Rd. look for the Scout Trail on your right; about 50 yards before an intersection where Lanesmore Rd. makes a sharp bend to the right. The trail is blazed blue (sometimes light blue; 3.37 miles for a full loop). The Little Stoney Mountain Trail is on the same path a this point also and is blazed white. They split and join a few times as they both circle the park. Twice, you’ll cross Vestal’s Gap Rd., now grass covered. According to park materials, Vestal’s Gap Rd. has been used at least since the 1690's. It was used by Virginia’s early Governors, George Washington, and British troops at various times. A man I met on it said he’d seen wild turkeys and deer on it. The half of the loop trail north of Vestal’s Gap Rd. is very different from the southern half. It’s hillier, and the trees seem a little older. If you want to get a nice view, albeit through the trees. You can opt to climb higher on the Little Stoney Mountain Trail. It doesn’t get to the top of Mt. Sterling but other mountains are visible at an overlook with a bench. The sight of a shopping center below however, does mitigate the effect. Keep following blue blazes across Vestal’s Gap Rd., back to Lanesmore Rd. and back to the W&OD Trail the way you came out.

Ashburn Village (7.6 or 8.6 miles, VI or VII)

Get your mind ready for the mental battle on this route. The long straight stretches of W&OD Trail heading west are not difficult though you don’t get a good sense of how far you have left to go. There are few features to focus on the open sunny trail. First is a half-mile downhill grade to the crossing of Broad Run. A three quarter mile uphill grade follows. A trail rest stop with water, vending machines (the drinks are often empty) and portable outhouses, was built just after the intersection with Switch Road; on the eight tenth of a mile downhill grade to the bridge over

Beaverdam Run. As you near Ashburn on the six tenth of a mile uphill grade, Ashburn Village Blvd. crosses overhead. A trail on the right is the way for the longer route and also the return route. It goes close to a private lake but not around its shores. The trail around the lake is for residents only. For the shorter route, continue on the W&OD to Ashburn Rd., turn right and use a short dirt trail to get to the suburban streets of Ashburn Village. Paved trails, first along the roads, then between the houses connect you back to the W&OD for the return trip.

Nearby and Connecting Zones

Trailside Park, Ashburn Trailside Park

Herndon

What to do Afterward

Food and Drink

Café Milan

Café Milan Pizza Pasta Subs & Salad - 703 450-0166

Countryside Café and Pizzaria - 703 444-1661

Kobe Japanese Steak House - 703 404-8700

Malibu Grill Express - 703 430 5959

Old Dominion Brew Pub (off the W&OD trail at mile 25.5)

Saigon Café - 703 404-2424

Entertainment and Edification

Claude Moore Park - 703 444-1275

Dranesville Tavern - 703 938-8835

Algonkian Regional Park - 703 450-4655

Scout Trail

Distance: 7.45 or 7.5 miles

Rating: VII; paved and dirt trails; shady only in the park; moderate hills

7.45 Mile Route

0.0 from the parking lot

UL 0.15 W&OD Trail;

0.3 begin bridge over Sully Rd; Rte 28

L 0.8 Ruritan Circle

L 0.95 at Church Rd on the paved trail

1.15 paved trail ends; use grassy shoulder

CL 1.35 Cascades Pkwy (sidewalk)

R 1.85 Lanesmore Rd; Claude More Park

R 2.05 Scout Trail (ST)/Little Stoney Mountain Trail (LSM) (blue/white blazes; follow the

blue blazes through the park)

2.05 trail X R & L

R 2.15 trail splits; follow blue blaze for ST

R 2.65 to stay on ST at T; LSM joins from L

L 2.7 at trail X on L to stay on ST & LSM

2.75 trail X on R to school

2.85 trail X; R is gate/fence to ball fields

R 3.05 at baseball field; go around the field

BL 3.1 at fence to continue around field

3.15 at parking; go toward gravel road

S 3.25 parking ends; follow gravel road; ST

BL 3.4 to stay on ST; before the gate & road

3.45 Vestal’s Gap Rd

3.55 trail on L to Old Oak Trail

<*

4.05 LSM (white blaze)

4.15 trail on L to Old Oak Trail

4.15 trail on L to Hickory Nut Trail

4.3 LSM joins from R (white blaze)

>*

R 4.3 at multi-trail X to stay on ST

BL 4.55 to stay on ST; (follow blue blaze); ahead is Hickory Nut Trail on L

4.6 gravel park rd & Vestals Gap Rd

R 4.7 at T; (follow blue blazes)

L 4.75 at trail X to stay on ST

R 4.8 at trail X to stay on ST

5.0 Beaver Slide Trail on L

L 5.05 at T; LSM joins from R

BR 5.1 at trail X on L (nature area 5)

R 5.4 Lanesmore Rd

L 5.6 Cascades Pkwy (use sidewalk)

R 6.1 Church Rd; use grassy shoulder; then paved trail at Magnolia Terr

R 6.5 Ruritan Circle

R 6.65 W&OD Trail

7.1 begin bridge over Sully Rd, Rte 28

UR 7.3 leave W&OD Trail toward parking after crossing the bridge over Sully Rd, Rte 28

7.45 parking

*7.5 Mile Route

R 4.05 LSM Trail (white blaze) goes uphill

4.2 trail X on R toward bench & overlook

4.35 merge with ST coming from the L (pickup cues at mile 4.3 on 7.45 mile route)

Scout Trail

Ashburn Village

Distance: 7.6 or 8.6 miles

Rating: VI or VII; paved trails with some sidewalks; mostly sunny and open; long grades

7.6 Mile Route

0.0 paved trail from the parking lot

BR 0.15 merge onto the W&OD

0.7 bridge over Broad Run

0.9 bridge over Panorama Pkwy

1.65 Smith’s Switch Rd

1.75 Smith’s Switch Rest Stop (water, portable outhouse, vending machines, phone)

2.2 bridge over Beaverdam Run

2.8 underpass Ashburn Village Blvd

<*

2.85 trail X (unmarked); R is return route

R 3.6 Ashburn Rd (store)(use shoulder)

3.65 Stubble Rd on the L

R 3.7 trail X on R (dirt, unmarked); goes to houses

3.8 Grottoes Dr; go S

R 4.0 Gloucester Pkwy (use paved trail)

>*

R 4.2 Tavern Dr

L 4.25 trail X on L (paved, unmarked)

4.55 Tavern Dr

R/L 4.8 at trail X; onto W&OD for return

4.85 underpass Ashburn Village Blvd

5.4 bridge over Beaverdam Run

5.85 Smith’s Switch Rest Stop (water, portable outhouse, vending machines, phone)

5.95 Smith’s Switch Rd

6.7 bridge over Panorama Pkwy

6.9 bridge over Broad Run

BL 7.5 leave W&OD; go toward Rte. 28 before the overpass

7.6 parking lot

*8.6 Mile Route

R/L 2.85 trail X (unmarked)

3.05 Tavern Dr

CR 3.35 Tavern Dr

3.4 Tavern Dr becomes Christiana Dr at Gloucester Pkwy

L 3.8 Ashburn Village Blvd

4.0 trail X on L to lake (private)

4.15 trail X on L to lake (private)

L 4.3 Fincastle Dr

4.55 Aberdeen Terr/Ringold Dr

CL 4.75 Gloucester Pkwy

4.95 Grottoes Dr on R (pickup cues at mile 4.2 on 7.6 mile route)

Ashburn Village