Areas Near Hiking or Running Trails

[Anonymous]

It sounds like it may not be your type of neighborhood, but I loved living in Mt Pleasant for the running. There was such easy access to Rock Creek and the zoo. The only time I've been able to get myself up in the morning for a run before work is when I lived in Mt. P and I attribute it to being able to run 5 minutes or less and be in the woods.

[Anonymous]

There are several trails you can access easily from Rosslyn/Georgetown. (Glover-Archbold, Normanstone, Whitehaven, etc.) the Melvin Hazen trail near Dupont is short, but cool. There's also the Capital Crescent trail, the C&O Canal trail, the Mt. Vernon Trail and the Custis, all of which you can pick up from Rosslyn. Plus Roosevelt Island, off the Mt. Vernon trail.

In Fairfax, I've spent some time running the Fairfax Cross-County Connector Trail, mostly from where it picks up by the Oak Marr rec center. And you have the W&OD trail there. i've found most of these trails to be very safe during the day.

[Anonymous]

OP again. You all have been very helpful. I'm getting out the map now to find all these places! Thank you.

[Anonymous]

You may also want to google Catholic schools to see how close possible school choices would be to the trails, but pretty much anywhere you'll be close to a trail.

http://www.localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_8872.asp

http://site.adw.org/elementary-schools

[Anonymous]

I'd also suggest the areas of Arlington that are in-bounds for St. Agnes or St. Ann. Everything from Madison Manor, Dominion Hills, Westover, Tara Leeway Heights, Cherrydale, Ballston, Maywood and so on. They are all very near the extensive trail system and are both strong Blue Ribbon schools and friendly parishes.

We leave in Dominion Hills, which is between EFC and Ballston metros and have 3 trails within blocks - Custis, Four Mile Run and W&OD. St. Ann actually sits along the Custis Trail.

The recent story about Four Mile Run trail has spooked us all. FWIW, it happened along a heavily-wooded section of that trail, which is less highly used than the parallel W&OD. It's important to keep in mind that in this area even adjacent neighborhoods can have vastly different demographics. I can think of stories along almost every trail in the area over the last few years that have involved robberies or beatings or sexual assaults. Like anywhere, you need to use your smarts.

Welcome to the area!

[Anonymous]

Chevy Chase seems like a good option. You can drop the kids off at Blessed Sacrament and then be very close to Rock Creek Park.

[Anonymous]

I would select the school first and then the good running spot. Traffic here is horrendous and if you have to shuttle the kids to and from school, your life could be hell if you don't pick the right spot.

[Anonymous]

Montgomery County MD trails:

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/PPSD/ParkTrails/trail_maps.shtm