It’s no coincidence that USA Today named D.C. America’s fittest city— for the third year in a row—last May. Washington is an active town and many residents bike, walk, and run to work. We may joke that we have to because bad traffic and unreliable public transit leave us no choice, but our fitness also comes from access to public trails that makes urban running possible. Here are some of our favorite routes: urban runs replete with views of iconic sights and monuments, as well as practical and challenging trails that take us out of the noise and traffic of the city.
The wide paths along The National Mall are great for a run through iconic scenery. (Photo by Nathan Wilkinson.)
THE NATIONAL MALL: It’s the nation’s park, so why not run it? The 1.9 mile planned strip is perfect for exercise with wide pathways and grassy thoroughfares surrounded by architecture that constantly reminds you of where you are. The Mall paths make for a great four-mile loop with a nice hill leading up to the Capitol grounds. Begin anywhere between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol and run the length of the Mall on the inner pathways away from the traffic on Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue. Be considerate of visitors to monuments by giving them a wide berth: use the paths outside the World War II memorial and avoid crowds at the Vietnam and Korean War memorials. On the North West corner of the loop, swing through Constitution Gardens where there are fewer pedestrian tourists than along the reflecting pool. — Nathan WIlkinson
Access The National Mall on foot or by Metro from Smithsonian, National Archives, L’Enfant, and Capitol South stations.
People enjoy walking, biking, and rollerskating the Anacostia River Trail. (Photo courtesy of National Park Service).
ANACOSTIA RIVER TRAIL: Frequently used as a site for 5Ks, I recommend heading over to this glorious park even when you don’t have an official bib on. Stretching out along 3.5 miles of prime river real estate, the extra wide, paved trail is never crowded—and it is divided by a yellow line to keep directional order among the joggers, strollers, cyclists, and dog walkers. With expansive views of the Anacostia River on one side and fields on the other, it is among the most open-feeling places to pound the pavement. Plus, if you get bored of running, you can modify your workout with exercises at the outdoor fitness station or yank on some skates at the only rollerskating pavilion at a national park. — Rachel Sadon
The Anacostia River Trail is about a 10 minute walk from the Anacostia Metro station. You can also take the paved walkway across the bridges into downtown D.C.
Rock Creek Park and a biker you’d have to dodge while jogging. (Photo by Ali Jones.)
ROCK CREEK PARK: D.C.’s biggest park features about 32 miles-worth of trails, including two major paths that run lengthwise. Of the two trailways, the Valley Trail is more level, though you are by no means a slouch for running it—it stretches to the border of Maryland. On the Western Ridge Trail, you’re more likely to feel the ups and downs of the terrain as you jog along. You can forget you’re smack dab in the middle of a city on both of them, but, like most popular places, you might find yourself dodging walkers and wanderers. Unlike other routes, though, you might also dodge some horses. If you’d like, you can also make it your mission to run to the historic Capitol stones, though they’re not structurally sound enough for a round of calisthenics. — Rachel Kurzius
There are dozens of access points to Rock Creek Park trails. Parking access to the Valley and Western Ridge trailhead is on Beach Drive. See National Park Service website for more information.
Roosevelt Island. (Photo by Andrew)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT ISLAND: Roosevelt Island is more than a contemplative setting for the 26th president’s monument. It is 88 acres of woodland and almost two miles of unpaved trails that are perfect for a short cross country run. Avoid the monument and take the outer loop for views of Rosslyn’s towers to the West and the Key Bridge and Georgetown waterfront to the northeast. On the east side, continue along the boardwalk over the wetland preserve. For a longer run, pick up the inner loop trail on higher ground and circle the monument itself. — Nathan Wilkinson
Access to Theodore Roosevelt Island is by foot bridge from a parking lot along the Washington Memorial Parkway.
Hains Point. (Photo by edevere)
HAINS POINT: The man-made island that protects the Washington Channel on the Potomac is a peaceful place to go for a run, far from tourists and the busy streets of the city. The island is ringed by a paved and level trail that begins at the Jefferson Memorial to the north and ends at a point on the southern tip. This is a water-lovers run with views of the waterfront and wharf on the east side, and the wide Potomac unfolds before you once you round Hains Point. This seldom-traveled part of the city has almost no motor vehicle traffic except for golf carts on the East Potomac Golf Course. It is a favorite training location for long distance runners and jogging groups, which prefer to run on Ohio Drive rather than the concrete boundary trail. The Island can be accessed on foot from Virginia by way of the 14th street bridge sidewalk, and you can get there from D.C. just off of the Tidal Basin path on either side of the Jefferson Memorial. The only drawback to running the trail is that it has fallen into disrepair and high water has eroded parts of the trail and breakwall. — Nathan WIlkinson
Hains Point can be accessed by the 14th Street Bridge. Car access is from 395
The Mount Vernon Trail (entrance on Crystal Drive) skirts the western boundary of D.C. and follows the Potomac River. (Photo by Nathan Wilkinson.)
MT. VERNON TRAIL FROM ARLINGTON TO LINCOLN MEMORIAL:
Sometimes the best place to experience the beauty of D.C. on a run is to go outside the boundaries. The Mount Vernon Trail is a well-maintained asphalt path that skirts the Potomac boundary line of the city and offers views of monuments from across the water. The path ranges from tight curves under bridges and moderate hills that keep the run interesting but not too difficult. Park in Crystal City to access the trail on Crystal Drive at the Crystal City Water Park. Make a left at the first fork to head north. Be careful when the trail narrows near the airport along the Washington Memorial Parkway, as bikes tend to pass very close by here. The trail crosses the end of the runway where you can enjoy airplane flyovers safely from Gravelly Point Park. The trail passes the Navy Merchant Marine Memorial on Columbia Island and continues on past Roosevelt Island, so you can extend your run. But it is especially exciting to take the Arlington Memorial Bridge back to the city with the Lincoln Memorial directly ahead of you for the final half mile. — Nathan Wilkinson
The Mount Vernon Trail is accessible along the Washington Memorial Parkway with parking lots on Gravelly Point and the trailhead at Theodore Roosevelt Island and Arlington Cemetery. Access by Metro at Rosslyn, Arlington Cemetery, Crystal City and Washington National Airport stations.
SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL ZOO: Runners often rule out the National Zoo, a place brimming with tourists and children on field trips, as a good place to work out. But the zoo is a great place to observe animals in their habitat while you twist and turn along many of the park’s trails and paths. It’s one of the few zoos in the country where no admission fee means you can come as you please. What also makes the zoo a unique location for a jog is that you are able to customize your run for however long you like—the main drag, Olmsted Walk, is just under one mile, start to finish. If you veer off Olmsted and take detours to other animal exhibits, you can easily cover well over three miles. Breeze past the Panda Overlook or take the bridge over the elephant exhibit to feel as if you are on a Safari. The zoo is gets very busy during the summer, so the best times to avoid the massive crowds are during the Spring and Fall. Even then, the weekends and holidays can get chaotic so try to avoid those peak times.— Lauren Freed
The Smithsonian National Zoo is at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, about a 10 minute walk (rom the Woodley Park Metro. Paid parking is available. The zoo is open to visitors 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The National Arboretum has many winding trails with foliage that changes seasonally. (Photo by wgestalten courtesy of Flickr.)
NATIONAL ARBORETUM: For people who get bored of looking at one kind of scenery, I highly recommend hightailing it over to the National Arboretum. Yes, this is where those extremely photogenic Capitol Columns are located (as well as a fascinating bonsai museum), but that is hardly the only interesting thing to gaze at. The landscape changes and opens up depending on which part of the park you’re in, with rolling meadows turning to a valley of ferns to a collection of Holly and Magnolias to an herb garden, and so many others over the course of more than 400 acres. Admission is free, but they are only open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Rachel Sadon
The National Arboretum is located at 3501 New York Ave NE
MCMILLAN RESERVOIR: Every time I go by the McMillan Reservoir, it fills me with joy because it’s god damn gorgeous. I don’t live too far, so as I’ve eased back into running I’ve made it my mission to be able to jog the entire thing in a loop. (Not there yet, but I’m working on it!) Rather than actually enter the area by the jewel-toned water, I instead use the surrounding streets as my route, because the collection of fences makes it otherwise easy to get lost and there’s no footpath all the way around. Also, there are “No Trespassing” signs on the fences. — Rachel Kurzius
McMillan Reservoir can be accessed from McMillan Drive and 5th Street NW near Howard University.
Kenilworth Track. (Photo by Christina Sturdivant)
KENILWORTH TRACK: I began running on Kenilworth’s neighborhood track with my cousin-turned-personal-trainer a few weeks ago, and it’s been as enjoyable as profusely sweating in the sun could be. Seriously, in comparison to a couple of solo runs that I took on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail last year, I find the track experience to be motivating. While the trail is beautiful, the 15 miles of pavement is intimidating to a new runner like myself. On the track, I can see and measure my starting and ending points much easier, and I feel immediately gratified once I make it back around the circle. As neighborhood tracks can be found throughout the city, this one in particular seems to attract a lot of athletes who train together, which offers a communal feel. It’s also kid-friendly as children play ball, skate, and ride bikes while parents work out. In addition, it’s adjacent to a trail, if that’s your thing, and it’s blocks away from the picturesque Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. — Christina Sturdivant
The track is located in the rear of Kenilworth on Anacostia Avenue NE.
BROOKSIDE GARDENS: Tucked away in Silver Spring’s Wheaton Regional Park, Brookside Gardens is an award-winning 50-acre public display garden featuring ponds, a HeartSmart trail, and both paved and unpaved paths. Though Brookside Gardens is ideal for walks, picnics, and family visits—the kids are sure to enjoy learning about nature in the “Children’s Garden” or checking out the seasonal outdoor butterfly garden—it’s also a beautiful place for a run. You can concentrate on your breathing as you jog past the Aquatic Garden’s tranquil gazebo. Reflect on the brilliant colors of the Azalea Garden. From June through September, you can cool down and smell the roses as 100 varieties of the pretty, perfumed plants take over the attractive—but too narrow to properly run in, at least with other people milling about—Rose Garden. Brookside Gardens HeartSmart Trail is not long, only a mile or so, but between the trail and the paths, you can get a decent run in. Sure, you’ll have to retrace your steps if you want a good, long workout, but with such a variety of gorgeous gardens to see and smell, is that really so terrible?—Lauren Landau
Brookside Gardens is at 800 Glenallan Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902, about a 17-minute walk from the Glenmont Metro Station. Parking is available.
Long Bridge Park in Arlington is a 1/2 mile-long raised path along between The Pentagon and Roaches Run wetland. (Photo by Nathan Wilkinson)
LONG BRIDGE AND CRYSTAL CITY PARKS: Every Friday evening in April, Crystal City holds a 5K on Crystal Drive. But you don’t have to run with the herd to do my favorite Crystal City loop. Long Bridge Park also offers a wide elevated path along Roaches Run wetland preserve and views of South West D.C. Together, these paths make a nice three-mile urban run. Begin the loop from the Crystal City Metro station on 18th Street, one block West of Crystal Drive. Run north to Long Bridge Park and climb the observation hill at the northmost point. Return along the walkway past the soccer fields and head south down Crystal Drive to Glebe Road. You’ll pass the Water Park and pick up a winding trail through the Exercise Park where you can use the equipment or watch a beach volleyball game. At Glebe Rd, go left toward Potomac Avenue through the Eclipse Center condos and pass the cool obelisks in the middle of the square that look like a pair of eyes. Take Potomac Avenue north for one block to rejoin Crystal Drive and run the east sidewalk back up to 18th Street. — Nathan Wilkinson
Access to Crystal Drive is from Crystal City Metro station or parking lots on Crystal drive and 18th Street.
A strange eyeball fountain in Crystal City’s Camden Potomac Yard Apartments square just dares you to run between the eyes. (Photo by Nathan Wilkinson)
