We’ve visited several parks in the past here at USA Travel Guide, but it seems every time we’ve gone parking, we’ve gone big – Haleakala in Maui, Kenai Fjords in Alaska, even Yosemite in California. The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park in Northern Virginia, however, is something different. I mean really different.
Check it: this one-of-a-kind park is 45 miles long and 100 feet across. Depending on which ends you’re talking about, traveling from end to end by foot could take you days or it could take you 15 seconds. How does such a ridiculous park come to be? The railroad, of course!
The W&OD Railroad Regional Park exists to preserve the path originally cut for the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, which served the short line from Alexandria to Bluemont as late as 1968. While almost all remnants of the actual rail lines are gone today, the rail bed has been repaved in asphalt and has blossomed into a truly remarkable historic recreation trail. Today you can follow all 44.8 miles from just outside Alexandria, VA to the town of Purcellville with dozens of worthwhile sights (and sites) along the way.
One of the things we love about the W&OD Railroad Regional Park is how thoroughly “town & country” it is. As an old rail line, it has just as much business passing through Northern Virginia’s historic towns as it does the verdant countryside. An end-to-end trip is a dynamic experience, and good for you to boot.
Sightseeing is the primary appeal of the trail. Along the way you’ll see preserved and intact train stations, stunning bridges, classic stone archways and scenic overlooks, as well as a number of displays established for the benefit of the trail. Vienna, Herndon, and Arlington all house museums near the trail with fascinating railroad artifacts. And there are the natural attractions as well – wildlife, dense forests, overgrowth – everything adding to the experience.
The paved portion of W&OD Railroad Regional Park runs the entire length of the park and is 10 feet wide, accommodating walkers, runners, cyclists, and rollerbladers. For most of the length, the path is joined by a bluestone bridle path ideal for horses and hikers. The trail is free to explore, open year round, and may be accessed almost anywhere along the way. Learn more.
Holiday Inn Leesburg Hotel at Historic Carradoc Hall
1500 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
Phone: 1-703-771-9200
Website:
http://www.holidayinnleesburg.com/
Near the western end of the park you’ll find this Holiday Inn hotel in Leesburg, Virginia, and it’s probably our favorite place to stay along the way. For one thing, the setting is unforgettable. Holiday Inn Leesburg Hotel shares its property with Historic Carradoc Hall, a striking mansion home built in 1747. It doesn’t really feel like a brand, but at the same time, you get the reliable amenities, services and member perks of the brand, not to mention the approachable rates. If it works for your party, we highly recommend reserving one of the four deluxe suites, which are located in Carradoc Hall. View Leesburg hotel specials.
Have fun in Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park!
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America’s Parks – Washington & Old Dominion Railroad near Leesburg, VA
We’ve visited several parks in the past here at USA Travel Guide, but it seems every time we’ve gone parking, we’ve gone big – Haleakala in Maui, Kenai Fjords in Alaska, even Yosemite in California. The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park in Northern Virginia, however, is something different. I mean really different.
Check it: this one-of-a-kind park is 45 miles long and 100 feet across. Depending on which ends you’re talking about, traveling from end to end by foot could take you days or it could take you 15 seconds. How does such a ridiculous park come to be? The railroad, of course!
The W&OD Railroad Regional Park exists to preserve the path originally cut for the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, which served the short line from Alexandria to Bluemont as late as 1968. While almost all remnants of the actual rail lines are gone today, the rail bed has been repaved in asphalt and has blossomed into a truly remarkable historic recreation trail. Today you can follow all 44.8 miles from just outside Alexandria, VA to the town of Purcellville with dozens of worthwhile sights (and sites) along the way.
One of the things we love about the W&OD Railroad Regional Park is how thoroughly “town & country” it is. As an old rail line, it has just as much business passing through Northern Virginia’s historic towns as it does the verdant countryside. An end-to-end trip is a dynamic experience, and good for you to boot.
Sightseeing is the primary appeal of the trail. Along the way you’ll see preserved and intact train stations, stunning bridges, classic stone archways and scenic overlooks, as well as a number of displays established for the benefit of the trail. Vienna, Herndon, and Arlington all house museums near the trail with fascinating railroad artifacts. And there are the natural attractions as well – wildlife, dense forests, overgrowth – everything adding to the experience.
The paved portion of W&OD Railroad Regional Park runs the entire length of the park and is 10 feet wide, accommodating walkers, runners, cyclists, and rollerbladers. For most of the length, the path is joined by a bluestone bridle path ideal for horses and hikers. The trail is free to explore, open year round, and may be accessed almost anywhere along the way. Learn more.
1500 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
Phone: 1-703-771-9200
Website: http://www.holidayinnleesburg.com/
Near the western end of the park you’ll find this Holiday Inn hotel in Leesburg, Virginia, and it’s probably our favorite place to stay along the way. For one thing, the setting is unforgettable. Holiday Inn Leesburg Hotel shares its property with Historic Carradoc Hall, a striking mansion home built in 1747. It doesn’t really feel like a brand, but at the same time, you get the reliable amenities, services and member perks of the brand, not to mention the approachable rates. If it works for your party, we highly recommend reserving one of the four deluxe suites, which are located in Carradoc Hall. View Leesburg hotel specials.
Have fun in Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park!
Related Posts