As winter's harsh winds morph into spring's sweet smelling breeze, there is no better time or place to enjoy a run, walk or bike ride than spring in D.C. Unfortunately, this is also the time when tourists flock the streets to hail D.C.'s beloved cherry blossoms. The addition of thousands of out-of-state plates trying to navigate through the city's sometimes confusing roadways only increase the risks for runners, walkers and bikers trying to lose that extra bit of winter's weight. Those runners, walkers and bikers wishing to avoid the dangers of becoming a part of the pedestrian version of Frogger, have no fear, for Washington and the surrounding area is home to over a hundred miles of car free trails.
Of the more than ten trails in the D.C. area, three are within two miles of AU's campus. For AU students trying to avoid the roadway dangers and get away from the constant clamor of city life, these three trails provide the perfect escape.
Rock Creek Park: The Rock Creek Park bike path is a 20-mile-long, paved path that bisects the northern portion of D.C. and continues north up through Maryland. For AU students looking for easy access to this trail, run, bike or walk about two miles down Massachusetts Avenue. The trail is connected to a dirt path that is on the right, just after Whitehaven Street and before the bridge that crosses over Rock Creek Parkway.
Along the path, one can enjoy the serenity of gentle streams and the shade of towering trees. Although sometimes hard to find, wildlife can be found hiding in the overhanging, invasive bittersweet vines crowding the trail. There are also connecting paths to the National Zoo and Rock Creek National Park. This trail is perfect for afternoon jogs and Sunday morning bike rides.
Capital Crescent Trail: The Capital Crescent Trail is the most scenic of the three trails close to the AU campus. The main path squeezes between an old towpath and the Potomac River. Along the way one can stop by Georgetown's waterfront, the Kennedy Center or the Jefferson Memorial.
Connecting to the Rock Creek Park trail in Maryland, the 13-mile Capital Crescent trail is an easy, downhill access for AU students traveling on Nebraska Avenue. Nebraska turns into Loughboro Road and the trail begins at the end of Arizona Avenue (second left on Loughboro). This trail is great to bike, run or walk in the early evening as the sun sets over the Potomac
Chesapeake and Ohio Towpath: The C and O Towpath is the longest and most ambitious of the three paths close to the AU campus. Connecting to the northern portion of the Capital Crescent path, the C and O stretches along the Potomac for 184 miles up to Cumberland, Md. For the most determined bikers, one can spend a weekend trying to make his/her way up to Pittsburgh via a series of connecting trails. For others, trying to bike to Great Falls National Park is a reasonable 20-mile day trip.
Whether biking, running, or walking, spring is a great time to get out and explore the hidden side of D.C.
You can reach this staff writer at sflynn@theeagleonline.com.
