Adventuring on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia

The Trip

Stretching from the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania to the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland and Virginia lies the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. One of only 11 national scenic trails, the Potomac Heritage Trail celebrates the Potomac River with all its charm, history, natural beauty, and wildlife, and the nation’s capital in Washington D.C.

At a length of over 800 miles along both banks of the Potomac River, the Potomac Heritage Trail is the only national scenic trail that passes through a major metropolitan area, and the only trail that includes a route for biking, hiking, and paddling. Authorized by the United States Congress in 1983, the Potomac Heritage Trail is a braided trail network of both existing trails and new sections of trails constructed by volunteer trail groups like the Potomac Heritage Trail Association.

Highlights of the trail include such nationally known landmarks as the Great Allegheny Passage, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Harpers Ferry, Great Falls, Potomac Gorge, Mount Vernon, and the national memorials in Washington D.C. It can be said that the father of the Potomac Heritage Trail is actually George Washington. Born on the Potomac River in the Northern Neck of Virginia, Washington came of age exploring the upper Potomac River before moving to Mount Vernon high above the Potomac near the capital that bears his name. America’s first president dreamt of a trail that would someday link Tidewater Virginia with the early frontier near Pittsburgh. The Potomac Heritage Trail now completes Washington’s grand vision.

Our week-long Sierra Club national outing explores many of the Potomac Heritage Trail highlights near the nation’s capital. From our campground base at Pohick Bay Regional Park adjacent to George Mason’s home at Gunston Hall, we spend our days hiking and sightseeing through the parks and historic sites of the Washington metropolitan area. Highlights include historic Alexandria and Georgetown, Great Falls, and the Potomac River Gorge, and cycling the Mount Vernon Trail to George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. One day will be spent at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park at the meeting of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as sightseeing at the National Mall and Memorial Parks of Washington D.C. Every day will be filled with hiking and sightseeing at some of America’s most famous historic and natural landmarks.

Along the way there will be talks with national park rangers and special guests as we enjoy and learn about the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.

Day 1: We will start our trip at Pohick Bay Regional Park. After setting up camp and having group introductions, we will hike the Potomac Heritage Trail through nearby Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refuge and Mason Neck State Park. Hiking distance will depend on the time we get started and will be over flat terrain. The afternoon will be spent visiting the home of George Mason at Gunston Hall near our campground at Pohick Bay.

Day 2: After driving along the beautiful George Washington Memorial Parkway with views of the Potomac River, we hike a stretch of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to spectacular Great Falls. Hiking distance: 8 miles. Enjoy one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the eastern United States. Before returning to camp, we make another special stop at the Glen Echo National Park Arts Center and Clare Barton National Historic Site.

Day 3: Enjoy a full day of hiking through the Potomac Gorge upriver from the Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial to Chain Bridge. View rapids and waterfalls in the gorge before returning by way of another section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and historic Georgetown. Hiking distance: 10 miles over some rugged terrain. After exploring colonial Georgetown, we will enjoy a night out for dinner (not included in trip price) at a restaurant near the Potomac waterfront.

Day 4: Enjoy another full day of hiking as we hike the Potomac Heritage Trail through Prince William Forest National Park near Quantico. View a beautifully preserved hardwood forest and several stream valleys on our 10-mile circuit hike. Afterward, we will make stops at the nearby National Museum of the Marine Corp and the historic village of Occoquan on the scenic Occoquan River near Mason Neck.

Day 5: We take a break from hiking as we enjoy cycling the Mount Vernon Trail from Old Town Alexandria to George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. Bike rentals, including helmets, are part of the trip price. Biking distance: 22 miles over flat to gentle rolling terrain. Tour the home and grounds before biking back to Alexandria. After the ride, we will walk the streets of the colonial historic district before having dinner (not included in trip price) overlooking the Potomac River near the Torpedo Factory Arts Center.

Day 6: Another full day of hiking and scenic driving as we head out to the Blue Ridge Mountains to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Located at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, Harpers Ferry offers a combination of history and incredible natural beauty. Hike both the Potomac Heritage Trail and a section of the legendary Appalachian Trail, with a climb to Maryland Heights high above Harpers Ferry and the Potomac River. Hiking distance: 8 miles with one steep climb. The drive out to Harpers Ferry passes through miles of open farms with the Appalachian Mountains always on the western horizon.

Day 7: Our final full day of hiking and sightseeing finds us exploring some of the best known sites of Washington D.C. Morning will be spent at Arlington National Cemetery, with stops at Arlington House, Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, and the Eternal Flame of President John F. Kennedy. After crossing Memorial Bridge, we will circuit the Tidal Basin with stops at the Lincoln, King, Jefferson, and Franklin Roosevelt Memorials. Climb the hill at the Washington Monument for views of the White House and United States Capitol. Hiking distance: 8 miles over flat to rolling terrain.

Day 8: After breakfast, our last provided meal, we will take a short 3-mile hike on the Potomac Heritage Trail through Pohick Bay Regional Park before officially ending our Sierra Club trip. 

Getting There

Our Sierra Club group will meet at Pohick Bay Regional Park at noon on the Saturday morning of day one. The park is located about 20 miles south of Washington D.C. in Fairfax County, Virginia. The nearest airport is Reagan National Airport along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington. Dulles International Airport is located about 30 miles west in Loudoun County, Virginia. 

Participants will be using their personal or rental cars to carpool to the trailheads. Riders should plan to reimburse drivers for mileage. A roster of trip participants will be provided to facilitate carpooling.

While most days are short drives, the day to Harpers Ferry will be longer at 70 miles one-way. The scenery along the way, as well as the destination, is well worth the drive!

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Our campground is located at the group site of Pohick Bay Regional Park. Administered by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the campground offers tent pads, picnic tables, fire ring, hot showers, camp store, kayak rentals, and miles of hiking trails. The park is also surrounded by several thousand acres of other parks and wildlife preserves. Most meals and commissary gear is provided by the leaders, with two dinners (not included in trip price) at restaurants in nearby historic districts. Vegetarian options can be made available. On Sierra Club national outings all cooking and chores are shared equally by the group, with Leave No Trace principles always followed.

Trip Difficulty

Our daily hiking ranges generally ranges from 7 to 10 miles mostly over flat to rolling terrain. There will be a few short, steep sections you will need to be able to complete. The trails are in excellent condition, with a few rough sections in the Potomac Gorge. The trails are mostly natural surface with one asphalt section at Mason Neck. Town walks at Alexandria, Georgetown, Harpers Ferry, and Washington D.C. are on cobblestone or sidewalks. Late September is an enjoyable time for hiking and cycling in the Washington metropolitan area, with clear skies and cooler temperatures during the first week of autumn.

Equipment and Clothing

For camping, participants need to bring a tent, sleeping bag, ground pad, overnight items and toiletries. For hiking, bring a day pack, water bottles, rain jacket, windbreaker, and lightweight hiking boots. For biking, bring cycling or loose fitting shorts, cycling gloves, and sunglasses. Bike and helmet rentals are included in trip price. A complete equipment list will be part of our pre-trip communication.

References

Books: 

For guidebooks on hiking in the Washington D.C. area check:

• Sklarew, Renee and Rachel Cooper, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Washington D.C. Menesha Ridge Press.
• High, Mike, The C&O Canal Companion. Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Saffir, Barbara J., Walking Washington D.C. Wilderness Press.

Maps: 

For area trail maps, check the websites of:

• Potomac Appalachian Trail Club: www.patc.net
• Potomac Heritage Trail Association: www.potomactrail.org
• National Park Service website for the Potomac Heritage Trail: www.nationalparks.org/potomac

Conservation

The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is special in that it’s the only national scenic trail that passes through a major metropolitan area that has faced major growth in recent years. Protecting the Potomac River and the Potomac Heritage Trail is an ongoing issue that requires constant vigilance on the part of citizens and volunteer trail groups. Throughout the week we will discuss how to protect the beauty, wildlife, open space, and water quality of the Potomac, which is truly America’s national river.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.