Potomac Heritage Trail - Chain Bridge Section

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.

View of Chain Bridge crossing of the Potomac River

Trail Information

Fort Marcy cannon - historical site along the Potomac Heritage Trail

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 Club
Trail Stats: Ten miles - extending from the north end of the Theodore Roosevelt Island parking lot to the north side of I-495

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