The W&OD Trail is well-suited for walking, as it is dotted with neighborhood parks and connecting trails. Please remember to walk single file to the right of the yellow line, and to be alert for passing cyclists, joggers and roller bladers. For your safety, please consider walking with a partner.
Likewise, the W&OD is well-suited for jogging. Please be aware that the Trail should only be used during daylight hours. For your safety, it is recommended that headphones or earphones not be worn or that they be kept at a low volume while jogging on the typically-busy Trail.
Every Thursday, Reston Runners host a group run on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Anyone can join the run by meeting at the Wiehle Road commuter lot at 6:15 p.m. The Reston Runners also run on the Trail on the weekends. For more information, contact Reston Runners at (703) 437-3668 or Tom Voeller at (703) 860-9623.
One of the newest trail pursuits on the W&OD is inline skating, or rollerblading. The largely flat trail is well-suited to inline skating. Skaters are reminded to wear helmets and other padding for safety. Skaters are also asked to stay to the right on the Trail, and give audible warning when passing pedestrians and other users.
With few hills, the W&OD Trail is a perfect venue for a bicycle outing. Use the W&OD as part of a circuit ride or for an “out and back” ride. See parking access along the Trail for suggestions on places to park to begin your journey.
Bicycles may be rented in some of the communities (particularly those to the west) through which the Trail runs. At least two businesses offer such a service: (1) Trail’s End Cycling, which is near the western terminus in Purcellville; and (2), located near mileage marker 28.5 in the Ashburn-Leesburg area (but also quite willing to deliver rentals to business travellers and tourists staying at hotels in a considerably broad area), Get Out & Go Tours is a small, family-run concern, and that to which, in fact, local bicycle stores normally refer rental inquiries.
For your safety, please wear a helmet when riding. In addition, although there are several bicycle shops along the Trail and water fountains as well, you should carry water and bike tools with you when you ride.
We’d like to remind you that the W&OD is a multi-user trail. Please ride at a speed appropriate to trail conditions and traffic. Give audible warning when passing, and be advised that you must yield to pedestrians and horses.
Equestrians may avail themselves of a bridle path that parallels the asphalt W&OD Trail for 32.5 miles — from Vienna west to the northwestern terminus of the Trail in Purcellville. We have a page at this site that deals with how to get along with horses on the W&OD.
