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Unless your name is Bear Grylls, brushing up on camping skills probably isn't a bad idea. Join Sky Meadows staff for the Primitive Camping Series workshops starting May 8th.Hike the friendly skies

As day-hike destinations within a one hour drive of Washington DC go, three parks rise above (literally) the rest: Catoctin Mountain Park, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Virginia's Sky Meadows State Park. From a terrain and scenery perspective, Catoctin and Sugarloaf are relatively similar. Sky Meadows, however, stands alone.

The magic of Sky Meadows is in its unique blend of pastures, high meadows, and hardwood forests. The setting is conducive to scenic vistas overlooking rolling hills, farmland, and small towns (Paris, Virginia). The trails themselves feel tame and manageable, but the hills are not an illusion (1000 foot ascent in under two miles). The only illusion is the seclusion: the bright city lights of DC are just 50 miles due east.

View the Sky Meadows Slideshow on FlickrHiking Trails

Ask five different people for their favorite Sky Meadows day-hike route and you're bound to receive five different answers. Two routes, detailed below, have been published (in print and online, respectively).

60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Washington, DC: Paul Elliott's 10.3 mile hike includes a full out-and-back on the Appalachian Trail portion of Sky Meadows.

Out: Access trail > Gap Run Trail (Orange) > South Ridge Trail (Yellow) > Left on North Ridge Trail (Blue) > Right on Appalachian Trail (White) to Ashby Gap (Route 50)Back: Retrace route on Appalachian Trail (White) > Left on North Ridge Trail (Blue) > Left on Piedmont Overlook Trail

Hiking Upward: With his 8.4 mile route, Tony Van Vugt hits more trails and avoids back-tracking.

Access trail > Snowden Interpretative Trail (Silver) > Gap Run Trail (Orange) > South Ridge Trail (Yellow) > Left on North Ridge Trail (Blue) > Right on Appalachian Trail (White) > Left on Old Trail (Purple) > Right on Appalachian Trail (White) > Ambassador Whitehouse Trail (Light Blue) > Left on North Ridge Trail (Blue) > Left on Piedmont Overlook Trail (Red)

Neither route will leave you disappointed, but if you're the vista-type, we recommend including the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail and the Piedmont Overlook Trail. When time is short, trek up the South Ridge Trail and down the North Ridge/Piedmont Overlook Trail for a hilly 3.5 miles.

Regrettably absent from most Sky Meadows hiker write-ups (including this one) is the bridle trail section of the park east of Route 17. We intend to change that; keep your eyes peeled for Sky Meadows: Part Deux. 

Events and Activities

Besides hiking, Sky Meadows is best known for two things: astronomy and strawberries.

Astronomy: Monthly "astronomy nights," featuring expert presentations and ample star-gazing, dot the Sky Meadows calendar.  Strawberries: The Delaplane Strawberry Festival , a Memorial Day weekend tradition, may be better known than the park itself. Interestingly enough, very few strawberries are commercially grown in Virginia.When to Go

Due to the distinctive setting, the Sky Meadows experience changes dramatically in accordance with the seasons.

Spring/Summer: Wildflower season and green pastures as far as the eye can seeFall: Spectacular foliage on the nearby hillsWinter: Stark high meadows and open vistas on the ridge

In truth, any month of the year offers a top three experience for day-hikers. When the sun is shining and the breeze is blowing, this Virginia state park makes a strong push for #1.

Location / Directions: Delaplane, VAPark Size / Trail Distance: 1862 acres; 14+ milesSurface / Difficulty: Natural; DifficultTrail Map: Sky Meadows State Park Guide

In typical We Love DC fashion, Donna C. highlights a bakery and a winery to accompany your visit. The Delaplane/Paris area is a hotbed of wineries, but we're partial to Naked Mountain.

Arlington's Greenest Citizen

The envy of public transportation and smart growth proponents nationwide, Arlington County is a model "green" citizen. But with land at a premium, the County lacks undeveloped green space. Beyond the trail corridors (W&OD, Potomac Heritage), does Arlington County have a signature nature park?

In answer to that question, Trail Voice nominates Potomac Overlook Regional Park. At only 67 acres, this park is dwarfed by its Fairfax/Montgomery/Prince George's County counterparts. In this case, however, the old adage rings true: good parks come in small packages.

View the Potomac Overlook Slideshow on FlickrHiking Trails

Within its boundaries, Potomac Overlook boasts a respectable 2.5 miles of natural surface hiking trails. Shenandoah it is not, but for many, 2.5 miles provides a satisfying trekking experience - especially considering the terrain. Sitting high on a bluff overlooking the Potomac (hence the name), Potomac Overlook Regional Park has enough steep (but brief) hills to raise your heart rate.

With your map in hand, park in the main lot by the pavilion to start your hike. Here's the loop we recommend:

Farm Road / Overlook Trail (Black) > Left turn to Red Maple Trail (Red) > Heritage Loop Trail (Green) > White Oak Way (White)

For additional mileage, access the park via N. Randolph St. and include Blue Jay Way (Blue) or the Red Maple Trail (Red) extension.

Trail Connections

If you're a hardcore hiker with a penchant for mileage, hopefully we haven't lost your attention. As all heavy trail users realize, the key is in the connections. Via the Brown Creeper Connection (Brown), the park links to the Donaldson Run Trail which in turn intersects with the Potomac Heritage Trail. Starting from the Virginia side of Chain Bridge, follow these directions for an approximately six mile route (mileage in brackets):

South on Potomac Heritage Trail [1.0] > Left turn to Donaldson Run Trail [0.8] > Left turn to Brown Creeper Connector Trail [0.1] > Potomac Overlook loop [~2.0] > Retrace route

Park Programs

Through the years, Potomac Overlook Regional Park has dedicated itself to serving the community in more ways than one ("one" being hiking). The park's nature center, a retrofitted 20th century home, is the centerpiece of its community and environmental stewardship programs.

Nature Center

For many visitors, the grand tour of Potomac Overlook starts with the Nature Center.

Energerium: The main floor exhibit is devoted to exploring the interconnectivity of energy and living systems. For more information, check out the GreenMan video.Auditorium: The bottom floor auditorium holds up to 50 people (open for birthday parties!) and features plant and animal exhibits.

Environmental Stewardship and Cultural Programs

Several environmental organizations, including Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment and the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists, are regular park stewards. Not to be left out, school groups, scout groups, and even local companies arrange volunteer and educational programs with park staff. Considering the busy calendar of events, it's easy for you to get involved: 

Volunteer Work Days (monthly, first Saturday): Indoor and outdoor projects around the parkEarth Day Celebration (April 17): Plant trees and milkweed for the monarch butterfliesOpen House & Heritage Festival (May 2): Music, food, exhibits, and games for the familySummer Concerts (starting May 22): Free Saturday evening performances

As treasured landscapes, public parks bring people together. In north Arlington, Potomac Overlook Regional Park fills that crucial role.

Location / Directions: Arlington, VAPark Size / Trail Distance: 67 acres; approximately 2.5 total milesSurface / Difficulty: Natural; ModerateTrail Map: Map of Potomac Overlook Regional ParkAdministration: Northern Virginia Regional Park AuthoritySocial Media: Facebook, Twitter

Once a prison, now a (mountain bike) playground

Without much fanfare, Lorton Reformatory closed its doors in 2002. The guard tower that once watched over hundreds of inmates now looks out to an 18-hole golf course and ten miles of Laurel Hill Park singletrack.

Luckily for the northern Virginia mountain bike community, Fairfax County, in partnership with MORE, built the Laurel Hill Park trail system the right way (i.e. the sustainable way). The open meadow trail sections are fortified with 4-6 inches of compacted stone material. What does this mean for your riding? During the winter rainy season, or any season for that matter, Laurel Hill will be dry and rideable long before its local counterparts.

Trail System

The trail system is basically divided into two sections connected by the Greenway, also known as the Laurel Hill Park component of the Cross County Trail (CCT). Most visitors park at the Giles Run entrance, but the Barrett House lot off of Furnace Road also offers parking.

Detailed below are approximate mileage measurements and descriptions for each trail.

Giles Run Meadow Trail (1.7)The warm-up run for many two-wheeled visitors, this natural surface trail swoops along the forested ridges of Giles Run, an Occoquan tributary. This area also plays host to Laurel Hill's disc golf course. Accessed via the Giles Run parking lot and the CCT. 

Workhouse Trail (1.5) If you 'work it good' on the Workhouse Trail, speed and fun are guaranteed. Accessed via the CCT after crossing Lorton Road.

Slaughterhouse Loop (0.6)Switchbacks are your friends on this short, but steep, natural surface loop. Don't miss making a run through the figure-eight skills section featuring a 10 foot log skinny. Accessed via the Workhouse Trail.

Dairy Barn Loop (1.4)Circling the future site of the Equestrian Center, this loop features rolling meadow terrain with a dose of oak and hickory forest. Connections to Workhouse Trail and Pasture Loop.

Pasture Loop (1.1) Mountain bikers now ride where cows once grazed. The terrain is open and the views are worth the trip. Connections to Dairy Barn Loop, Power Station Loop, and Apple Orchard Loop.

Power Station Loop (0.6)This forested loop is fast and flowy. MORE recommends riding the loop clockwise to catch some air (see minute 4:00 of this video). Accessed via the Pasture Loop.

Apple Orchard Loop (1.8): The sign post reads, "Brake for Snakes", but you may need to brake for sharp corners as well. We recommend riding in a clockwise direction because the uphill sections are slightly less demanding on tired legs. Accessed via the Pasture Loop (across Furnace Road).

The trail terrain at Laurel Hill Park is generally tame and beginner-friendly - especially when compared to Fountainhead Regional Park, it's southern Fairfax County neighbor. The exceptions are Laurel Hill's two bike-focused trails, Slaughterhouse and Power Station.

Future Development

It's been nearly eight years (2002) since Laurel Hill was re-gifted to Fairfax County Park Authority and mountain bikers are among the first of the user groups to enjoy its spoils (golfers beat us to it). With that said, the Laurel Hill Park planning and development process is still in its infancy and the trail system will eventually see some changes. Notably, horses are scheduled to join two-wheelers and hikers on Workhouse, Dairy Barn, and Pasture trails. Fairfax County hopes Laurel Hill can be a shining example of a multi-use trail system.

For now, however, mountain bikers rule the roost on Laurel Hill's trail system. Winter, spring, summer, or fall...Laurel Hill Park always promises a good time. Ride on!

Location / Directions: Lorton, VirginiaPark Size / Trail Distance: 1,200 acres; 10+ milesSurface / Difficulty: Mix of natural surface and stone dust; trails vary in difficultyTrail Map: Laurel Hill Park Trail Map

Prince or pauper alike can enjoy the arboreal wonderland that is Prince William Forest Park.

In the words of America's Best Idea documentarian Ken Burns, the "most special places in the nation [national parks] should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich, but for everyone." Originally designed to serve the recreational needs of urban Washington DC youth, Prince William Forest Park exemplifies this democratic commitment. After all, what can be more democratic than 37 miles of hiking trails located just 35 miles south of the nation's capital?

The Setting

Considering the relentless pace of Northern Virginia development, the very existence of Prince William Forest Park (PWFP), a 15,000 acre parcel of Eastern Piedmont forest, is a pleasant surprise. With sustenance from the free-flowing Quantico Creek, deciduous trees like the Red Maple, American Beech, and White Oak call this home - as do the Eastern Box Turtle and the American Beaver. The preserved eco-system of PWFP represents our land before it was our land.

As usual, the best way to experience the magic of Prince William Forest Park is on your own two feet. The South Valley Trail, the park's longest at 8.7 miles, is fan favorite. The linear trail extends from the Oak Ridge Campground in the northwest corner of the park to Pyrite Mine Road in the southeast corner near the visitor center. Sections of the trail vary greatly in their scenery and popularity.

Oak Ridge Campground to Mawavi: Most remote - features significant tree casualties from the April 2006 forest fire.Mawavi to Taylor Farm Road: Follows Quantico Creek, switching between creek bank and ridge walking.Taylor Farm Road to Orenda Road: Most popular and most accessible section featuring generously-sized boulders ideal for relaxing by Quantico Creek.How to Hike the South Valley Trail

One foot in front of the other.

But seriously, unless you're willing to put in a very long day, hiking from one end to the other and back may not work for you. For a leisurely experience, you can park in a lot on Scenic Drive with easy trail access. For a challenge, try one of these options:

Car/Bike Shuttle: If you're hiking with a friend, park one car at the visitor center and the other at Oak Ridge Campground. Solo hiker? Make it a multi-sport adventure and shuttle yourself by bicycle along Scenic Drive.Beaver Loop (6.9 miles): Park at the Turkey Run Education Center and hike west on the High Meadows Trail. Bear left at the High Meadows / South Valley intersection and head south on the trail. Return to the lot via the Turkey Run Ridge Trail. Looking for less mileage? Cut the loop down to 4-5 miles by using Taylor Farm Road.When to Go

Prince William Forest Park is a top-notch hiking destination in any of the four Northern Virginia seasons. In the spring, the park is teeming with wildlife and flowering shrubbery. In October and November, shades of orange, red, and yellow dominate the park. PWFP may not offer the sweeping fall foliage vistas of Shenandoah, but don't let that dissuade you - this deciduous forest puts on a show.

Location / Directions: Triangle, VATrail Distance: 8.7 milesSurface / Difficulty: Natural; ModerateTrail Map: Maps page for Prince William Forest ParkFacebook: Prince William Forest ParkTwitter: @PWForestParkAdditional Info: See the park's website for upcoming events and more

Quantico Creek's most famous citizen - the American Beaver - has a new neighbor. Volunteer with the Spooky Beavers crew of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club to do your part for the park.

Meadowood celebrates another year of National Trails Day with a full day of action: nature hikes, light trail maintenance, and new trail construction.New to the Mason Neck Peninsula neighborhood, Meadowood Recreation Area is making a splash in the Northern Virginia outdoor community - and that's despite its landlocked location! About eight years ago (in 2001), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acquired the Meadowood property from a private landowner. Wasting no time in its new digs, the BLM set up an office - officially called the Lower Potomac Field Station - and published an Integrated Activity Management Plan. The Plan outlined their vision of Meadowood as an outdoor recreation destination for hikers and mountain bikers. Developing the trail potential of the western portion of the park, also known as "Meadowood West," is a key component of this vision. Meadowood West Trails - Now

The original farm access road to Meadowood West still exists on the property and is now branded as the Meadowood Trail. Recognizing the preferences of hiking and biking types for a narrower and more sustainable trail, the BLM team created a much-improved alternate Meadowood Trail running roughly parallel to the original. This new incarnation of the Meadowood Trail conveniently links to three other recently developed trails: Holly Ridge, Sapling, and Red Fox. Though lacking in serious mileage, this trio of well-marked forested trails offer a peaceful hiking experience with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. As of now, the Meadowood West trails are not open to mountain bikers, but that policy is set to change.

Meadowood West Trails - Future

With trail building experts joining the staff, the future is bright for Meadowood as a Fairfax County outdoor recreation hot spot. The work agenda includes building a three mile perimeter trail that will effectively double the trail mileage of Meadowood West. Local hiking and mountain biking organizations (including MORE and the PATC) are working with the Meadowood staff to design and develop the new trails.

Although not as well-known as its more established neighbors (Pohick Bay Regional Park, Mason Neck State Park, and Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge), Meadowood Recreation Area is clearly a recreation destination on-the-rise.

Park & Trail Stats: Approximately 800 acres (total), 350 acres (Meadowood West); three miles of natural surface trails (Meadowood West)Trail Map: http://ow.ly/nR24How to Get Here: MapAdministration: Bureau of Land Management - Lower Potomac Field Station

The Accotink Creek Trail, also known as section two of the Fairfax Cross-County Trail, extends south from Lake Accotink Park (map) - Springfield, Virginia's recreation hotspot. If you have hiked or biked this section of trail in the past, you may notice something different about it now: 2.3 miles of trail, from the main parking lot in Lake Accotink Park to Hunter Village Drive, have been re-routed, paved, and adorned with three steel bridges that cross the creek along the way. In many ways, it's a striking change from the natural surface trail that existed prior to the construction of the paved trail. But was it change for better or for worse? Therein lies the dilemma.

Trail Voice believes that the key to protecting the outdoors is first to get people outdoors. Offering a recreational option in the form of a paved trail through the forest has the potential to draw individuals who otherwise would not be interacting with the natural environment. As Fairfax County contends, pavement stabilizes the trail and opens it to all users (including users with disabilities). However, in the over-stressed Accotink Creek watershed, the consequences of paving (i.e. tree cutting, increased impervious surface area, and wildlife habitat disruption) draws the ire of local environmental organizations like Friends of Accotink Creek and Lands and Waters. These organizations are concerned with the health of the stream - a concern at odds with the concept of pavement.

As the Accotink Creek Trail illustrates, balancing the need for recreation facilities with natural environment protection can be a tricky endeavor - in some cases, with no obvious answer.

Trail Stats: 2.3 miles - Lake Accotink Dam to Hunter Village DriveTrail Type: Paved surface (8 ft wide); multi-useTrail Map: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/cct/downloads/cct2.pdfAdministration: Fairfax County Park Authority

Bles Park (map) - a sleepy Loudoun County park with a playground, soccer fields, and some nature trails - is now part of a grander plan. In conjunction with this weekend's National Trails Day event, volunteers, led by REI and the Potomac Heritage Trail Association, will blaze the newest stretch of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST) in Bles Park. For those counting, the one mile section will add to the current tally of seven hundred plus walkable PHNST miles.

The new trail will follow Broad Run, upstream of the Broad and Potomac confluence. It winds through meadows and forest, all the while staying within a stone's throw of the river bank. The Bles Park section terminates near Rte. 7. Unfortunately for thru-hikers, there is currently a gap in the PHNST at this point, but rest assured that trail proponents are hard at work devising future enhancements.

Bles Park's PHNST designation is getting the press, but it would be remiss not to mention the park's inherent natural beauty and abundant wildlife. About three quarters of the park is open space and a small network of wide, gravel and grassy trails are cut through the meadow. Birds chirp, deer frolic, and the scent of honeysuckle tickles the senses. Don't forget to bring the kids - Bles Park's playground looks like a great time*.

* Editorial note: The author did not attempt to climb the monkey bars but certainly was tempted.

Park Stats: 124 acres; roughly 2-3 miles of natural surface trails (including the PHNST)Administration: Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services

Cars sit in trafficI pedal, cadence steady Carbon-free commute- Haiku by Trail Voice

When it comes to how you get to work, most people have a choice. There's the car - a game-changing 20th century transportation innovation. Or the bicycle - a human-powered throwback to a time without highways. In today's society of pollution-spewing traffic jams, skyrocketing obesity rates, and global warming concerns, that choice - car or bike - is becoming increasingly clear to many Washingtonians.

As evidenced by the seven thousand plus Bike to Work Day 2009 registrants, the bicycle commuter community in Washington DC is stronger now more than ever. There are many reasons why DC area residents are embracing the two-wheeled commute - its cheaper, its better for the environment, and it helps one stay in shape. Also, Washington DC is making strides to cater to this community with new and improved trails like the Four Mile Run Trail; the aggressive expansion of bike sharing programs; the bicycle-friendly enhancements to metro stations; and the most striking example (architecturally), the construction of the Union Station Bicycle Transit Center. Much work still needs to be done, but bicycle advocacy organizations like WABA keep their goals within reach. One less car. One more bicycle commuter.

- Image courtesy of WABA

Fairfax County's Rocky Run Stream Valley Trail meanders along its namesake stream for 3.4 miles. Sandwiched in the middle of the bustling "Chantilly triangle" (Route 50 and I-66 as the north/south borders, respectively), this multi-use double-track trail offers a welcoming wooded respite from suburbia. Trail users enjoy a generous oak canopy, but that canopy is at-risk from a sunlight-hoarding, water-hogging, invasive plant species known as garlic mustard. Luckily, the Fairfax County Park Authority Invasive Management Area (IMA) Volunteer Program is on the scene. With consistent volunteer help and special events like Invasive Plant Removal Day, garlic mustard is trembling in its roots.From the western edge of the trail in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park on Walney Rd., the trail enters the woods and never looks back (except to cross a few streets). For the two miles, from Walney Rd. to Stringfellow Rd., rocks, boulders, and fallen trees line the stream bank. East of Stringfellow, backyards converge to narrow the greenway, but Rocky Run manages to keep its wooded groove. As the rough gravel trail climbs the slope back to reality (i.e. Fairfax County Parkway - its eastern terminus), you'll be sad to see it go.Trail Stats: 3.4 miles from Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (map) to Fairfax County Parkway (west to east)Trail Type: Mostly coarse gravel and paved in partsAdministration: Fairfax County Park Authority

The grand opening of the I-395 underpass section of the Four Mile Run Trail, originally scheduled for May 2nd but now pushed back to May 30th, marks the beginning of a new era for Arlington County's Four Mile Run Trail. The goal of this two-year, $4.5 million project was to create a safe and direct connection from the South Shirlington Road intersection (which is where the W&OD trail terminates) to the path along S. Glebe Road About 3000 feet of new trail development later, trail "regulars" like Colin Dixon of Phoenix Bikes will tell you: mission accomplished. Bicycle commuters can enjoy the (potentially) ten minutes of extra rest in the morning and families can finally feel safe taking the kids for a ride into DC. We can thank local government and bicycle/pedestrian advocacy groups for their hard work and dedication in making this happen.As for the remaining section of the trail between the underpass (mile marker 5.5) and the trail terminus (7.5), it may not be gorgeous (except in a post-modern, industrial kind of way), but it gets the job done. The trail parallels the north side of Four Mile Run, which at this point is a broad river developed with flood-control measures and multi-purposed as an electricity power line corridor. After a series of bridge underpasses, the trail merges into the Mt. Vernon Trail near the south end of Reagan National Airport. If DC is your final destination, head just a little over two miles north to the 14th St. bridge trail.Trail Stats: About two miles from S. Shirlington Rd. (map) to the terminusTrail Type: Paved, multi-useAdministration: Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

The Potomac Heritage Trail - a true gem of a hiking trail in Northern Virginia - is the subject of some confusion. The ten mile stretch of off-road trail in Virginia extending from Theodore Roosevelt Island to the I-495 American Legion Bridge (and passing Chain Bridge) is just one component of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The ten mile trail pre-dates the creation of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which was established by a 1983 act of Congress. The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is designed to be a continuous, 174 mile trail along the Potomac - starting (or ending) at the Chesapeake Bay. However, this trail does not exist yet and that, my friends, is a story for another day.

Trail Information

With that said, let's get back to the subject at hand - the Potomac Heritage Trail. If you're up for it, hike all ten miles (but don't forget that you're car is parked on the other end). However, for an easily-accessible, historically-charged, and geographically-diverse outing, Trail Voice recommends setting up base camp near the Chain Bridge in Arlington (map - mile marker 4.1). It's a fascinating stretch of trail - from the Civil War cannons of Ft. Marcy (mile marker 4.9) to the decaying remains of the Pimmit Run grist mill (hiding place of the Declaration of Independence during the Burning of Washington).  Less than a mile downstream of Chain Bridge and Pimmit Run, Gulf Branch cascades into the Potomac parallel to a short connecting trail leading to the much-maligned Gulf Branch Nature Center. If you're a hiker, you can find all sorts of reasons to love this section of the PHT. So why not show your love?

Administration: National Park Service with maintenance assistance by the Potomac Appalachian Trail ClubTrail Stats: Ten miles - extending from the north end of the Theodore Roosevelt Island parking lot to the north side of I-495