Laurel Hill Park - Mountain Biking

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.

A mountain biker rounds the corner on Laurel Hill Park's Apple Orchard Loop

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.

Laurel Hill Park trail map - click for printable version

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, Virginia
Park Size / Trail Distance: 1,200 acres; 10+ miles
Surface / Difficulty: Mix of natural surface and stone dust; trails vary in difficulty
Trail Map: Laurel Hill Park Trail Map

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