Running Trails in Alexandria VA

Alexandria Virginia is an amazing place to run and has a ton of history. There are many trails that lead right into Washington D.C. which is great for seeing the sights. The best time to run in Alexandria is in the fall because the leaves changing on the Potomac are breathtaking. After a long run you can stop into old town for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. Here are a few of my favorite places to run in Alexandria.

3 Places to Run in Alexandria

 

Mount Vernon Trail

The Mount Vernon Trail is a great place for a run. You can run as short or as long as you’d like. The Trail runs about 18 miles from old town all the way to Mount Vernon. The beautiful views will keep you interested during your long runs and there is plenty of water stations along the way. The trail has some fun twists and turns as you get close to Mount Vernon. If you need to add some extra miles there is a sidewalk after you pass the main house at Mount Vernon. It’s a good idea to leave the head phones at home during this run because you will need to share the path with a lot of bikers.

 

Eisenhower Avenue Trail

Eisenhower Trail is one of my favorite runs in Alexandria. This run is flat at runs on a water way along Eisenhower Ave. A good place with plenty of parking is Ben Brenman Park which is located off Duke St in Alexandria. The park has a lot of great views and provides easy access to the trail. This a great place if you want to knock out a medium level run or you can take the trail into old town for something longer. Ben Brenman Park has restrooms and some access to water.

 

Old Town

Sometimes it’s fun to explore Old Town Alexandria on foot. The brick sidewalks and old buildings are a lot of fun to look at and when you’re on foot. There are plenty of places to run in old town and if you want to add more mileage just connect to one of the nearby trails on the Potomac river. Try exploring the city with a friend or a running group because this will make the run more enjoyable. Remember to watch out to the bricks that stick up because old town has a lot. When you’re finished with your run there are many places to sit down to have a hot meal. We all know there is nothing like some carbs and coffee after a long run.

Find a Running Group

When running, it’s always a good idea to find a running group to keep you interested in the sport. You will find that you run more often and longer with a group and you will get faster because you will push each other. Running with a group is also safer than running alone on trails. A great running group to join is the one at Pacers running in Alexandria which has a variety of running groups, so you are sure to find the right fit for you.

If you’re new to running check out our guide to running