This route is fairly challenging. The first five miles to Pierce Mill are a gradual ascent. Over the next 1.3 miles the hills become rather serious, until you reach the Rock Creek Nature Center. The Nature Center is the high point of the run. If you look west, you can sometimes see the National Cathedral and points beyond.

Upon Crossing Military road (300 yards east of Oregon Avenue), you will remnants of a fort, built by Federal Soliders during the Civil War. This is rather fascinating to behold.

This route can be run on weekends or weekdays. As it will take you along the Valley trail for a mile and a half, you should be prepared for mud. Valley Trail has an absolutely abusive short hill in it, a mile south of Military. If you can run this without stopping, your quads are in very good shape.

If you need to see the adjoining map in greater detail, click here.

 Directions

1)    Begin at the 3300 Block of M Street NW proceeding east (toward downtown DC)

2)     Branch right onto Pennsylvania Avenue (The Four Seasons Hotel is on your right)

3)    Turn right on exit ramp for Rock Creek Parkway. This is just beyond the Four Seasons Hotel

4)    Turn left on Rock Creek bike path, heading north

5)    Continue on Bike Path past the P and Q street bridges up to stop sign at Calvert Street (about 1.5 miles) Ahead of you will be the Taft and Duke Ellington Bridges, two very striking structures.

6)    Cross road. a quarter mile further take a sharp left, just before the tunnel.

7)    Proceed into National Zoo. The gate is closed from mid-October thru mid April at 5:00 p.m. During summer months, the gate is open until 8:00 PM.

8)    Go across service road and exit gate, to the other side of the bypassed tunnel

9)    From the far end of the zoo, continue on bike path 1.5 miles to Pierce Mill, which has bathrooms and drinking fountains.

10)    Continue past the mill. Bike path will merge into a short parking lot

11)    At end of Parking lot, take a quick left

12)    After 30 yards, take first right onto Glover Rd. This is an unmarked road

13)    Run up hill. Ignore first right, which is Ross Drive.

14)    Follows signs to Nature Center.

15)    Go to end of Nature Center parking lot. Follow path down to Military Road

16)    Get on Path on other side of Military. This is called the Western Ridge Trail

17)    Follow paved trail 3/4 of mile. Take a right on Bingham Road. Bingham will be the first road you encounter that has a sidewalk (100 yards before Bingham, you will first cross a service road).

18)    Take a right on Beach Drive. Run to next stop sign

19)    At stop sign, turn right and cross bridge. Take immediate left on the Valley Trail.

20)    Follow Valley Trail as it runs parallel to Rock Creek. Avoid all trails to the right. A mile on the Valley is a very steep, muddy hill. If you can run this without stopping, you know your quads are in shape.

21)    As you exit trail, you will be at intersection of Beach Drive and Broad Branch Road.

22)    You are five miles from G'town at this point. Retrace route to start.

Georgetown has numerous places to quench your thirst and sate your appetite.

Last updated: 2004. Back to WRC home page