Rock Creek Park - Western Ridge Trail Loop (Central Section)

Rock Creek Park trail bridge

An urban oasis for generations of Washingtonians, Rock Creek Park (map) has helped define our city. We are a city of parks, and Rock Creek Park is the largest (over 2,000 acres). Hikers and bikers flock to its forested confines just minutes away from the bustling city streets.

For hikers, it's quite easy to forget you're in a city when exploring the spacious central section of the park (north of the zoo). Local resource, rundc.com, mapped out a stellar, moderately difficult, hiking option in this section - the 4.3 mile Western Ridge Trail loop. Start your trek near the Military Road bridge and walk the trail hugging the western shore of the cascading creek. As you approach the Beach Drive and Bladgen Avenue intersection, the Western Ridge Trail beckons to your right. The Western Ridge Trail, deftly maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC), tops out near the Nature Center. Stroll back down to the valley via the natural surface connector trail, passing the Civil War relic of Fort DeRussy. This section of trail, which runs parallel to busy Military Road, is your gentle reminder that city life, and city traffic, await.

Trail Stats: 4.2 miles (as reviewed) of natural surface trails; bicycles prohibited
Park Map: http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/upload/ROCRmap1.pdf
Administration: National Park Service - Rock Creek Park

Read more about this hike and 59 others in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Washington, DC.

Share/Save/Bookmark