Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

VIRGINIA.WIKI

Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

Virginia attraction guide

[[File:|2400px|alt=]]

NORTHERN VIRGINIA RAIL TRAIL

Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

A 45-mile paved route from Shirlington to Purcellville follows the former Washington & Old Dominion Railroad through Northern Virginia’s towns, suburbs, and countryside.

Trail length
45 miles paved

Route
Shirlington to Purcellville

Also available
32-mile adjacent gravel horse trail

Hours
5 a.m.–9 p.m. daily; confirm current conditions

The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park—usually called the W&OD—is a long, narrow park built around a shared-use trail on the former railroad route. Walk, run, cycle, or skate between Shirlington in Arlington and Purcellville, passing through Northern Virginia communities and changing from urban streetscapes to more open countryside. An adjacent gravel trail is available for equestrians.

Rather than a single destination with one entrance, the W&OD is a route with many places to begin and end. Choose a short out-and-back from a nearby access point, or plan a longer ride between towns; the trail’s former rail corridor gives the journey a distinct historic thread. Check the official trail page and map before setting out for current hours, access, parking, and any construction notices.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Plan a trip to Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

Places to stay

Compare hotels and accommodations for your trip.

Expedia

Affiliate disclosure: Virginia.wiki may earn a commission when you book or purchase through some links on this page, at no additional cost to you.

Why visit the W&OD?

The W&OD makes it easy to experience Northern Virginia at trail pace. Its 45 paved miles link communities from the Arlington end of the route to western Loudoun County, while the surrounding scenery shifts between busy built-up areas and quieter stretches. Because the route has multiple access points, visitors can tailor an outing to the time and distance they have rather than treating the full trail as a single-day itinerary.

It is also a practical example of a rail corridor’s second life. The park follows the roadbed of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, and its route connects places whose growth was shaped in part by the railroad.

Start here

Pick an access point that suits the kind of outing you want: a short neighborhood walk, a ride between towns, or a longer trip along the corridor. NOVA Parks provides a trail map and lists parking areas and directions for several locations, including Leesburg and Purcellville. Parking availability and access can vary by location, so review the official information before traveling.

Use the paved main trail for walking, running, cycling, and skating. Equestrians can use the separate gravel trail that parallels it along part of the route. The park’s published hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, year-round; check for current notices before you go, especially if planning a long-distance outing.

What to see and do

Walk or run a chosen section

Use the paved route for a relaxed stroll or a longer run. With many access points along the corridor, you can plan a short out-and-back instead of committing to the entire trail.

Cycle between communities

Ride a portion of the 45-mile route, following the former railway through Northern Virginia. Check the official map to plan your start, finish, and distance.

Skate the paved trail

Skating is among the activities NOVA Parks lists for the paved W&OD Trail. Be mindful of other trail users, particularly on busier shared sections.

Explore the rail-trail story

The route traces the former railroad bed. NOVA Parks’ history pages and interpretive material provide context for the railway and the trail’s development.

Ride the parallel horse trail

Equestrians can use an adjacent gravel trail that runs alongside the paved route for 32 miles. Check current park guidance and access details before riding.

History and significance

The W&OD Trail occupies the former roadbed of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, which carried commerce between Alexandria and communities to the west. After the railroad was abandoned in 1968, NOVA Parks studied converting the corridor for public recreation. The first trail section opened in Falls Church on September 7, 1974; the final stretch into Purcellville opened in 1988, completing the continuous route.

The route connects places including Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Leesburg, and Purcellville. That continuity is part of the park’s significance: a disused railway corridor became a linear public space linking communities across a rapidly developed region.

Planning a visit

• Check the map first. The W&OD is a through-route, not a loop. Decide where you will start and finish, and check the official map for access and parking information.
• Confirm current conditions. The published hours are 5 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, year-round, but construction and other notices may affect particular sections. Check NOVA Parks’ park alerts before departure.
• Share the trail. The paved route serves walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters. Keep aware of people around you and use care where the trail crosses streets.
• Plan around your distance. A short out-and-back can suit a casual visit; longer rides or walks require planning for the return journey or transportation between endpoints.
• Choose the right surface. The main trail is paved. The separate gravel horse trail is intended for equestrian use; check NOVA Parks guidance for current access details.

Nearby attractions

Arlington, Virginia
Explore the county at the eastern end of the W&OD route.

Falls Church, Virginia
The first section of the trail opened in Falls Church in 1974.

Leesburg, Virginia
A Loudoun County town along the western half of the route.

Purcellville, Virginia
The trail’s western endpoint is in Purcellville.

Loudoun County, Virginia
The western portion of the trail crosses Loudoun County.

Books and useful gear: Browse related travel books and outdoor gear on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

References

External links

• Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park — NOVA Parks
• W&OD history — NOVA Parks
• Walking, hiking, and skating the paved trail — NOVA Parks