Home > Arlington > Parks & Trails

Arlington is one of the most densely developed counties in Virginia, but it also has an extensive network of parks and trails. The county has nearly 49 miles of paved multi-use trails, plus stream valley parks, natural areas, and the Potomac riverfront.

The main trails

  • Custis Trail: About 4.5 hilly miles along I-66 from Rosslyn west to where it meets the W&OD Trail. A popular bike commute into DC via the Key Bridge.
  • W&OD Trail: A paved rail-trail of about 45 miles that starts in Shirlington and runs west through Falls Church, Vienna, and Reston to Purcellville.
  • Mount Vernon Trail: About 18 miles along the Potomac from Theodore Roosevelt Island past Reagan National Airport and Old Town Alexandria to Mount Vernon.
  • Four Mile Run Trail: Follows Four Mile Run through South Arlington, connecting the W&OD at Shirlington to the Mount Vernon Trail near the airport.
  • The Arlington Loop: Together, the Custis, W&OD, Four Mile Run, and Mount Vernon trails form a loop of about 16 miles around the county.

Parks and natural areas

  • Theodore Roosevelt Island: A wooded island memorial in the Potomac with walking trails, reached by a footbridge from the parkway.
  • Gravelly Point: A riverfront park next to Reagan National Airport, known for watching planes land.
  • Long Bridge Park: Athletic fields, an aquatics and fitness center, and skyline views in National Landing. See living in National Landing.
  • Potomac Overlook Regional Park and Gulf Branch Nature Center: Wooded trails and nature centers in far North Arlington.
  • Glencarlyn and Bluemont parks: Large parks along Four Mile Run with trails, fields, and picnic areas.

How parks and trails affect home value

  • Trail access: Being able to walk or bike onto the trail network is a real selling point, especially for commuters who bike. See the Arlington commuter guide.
  • Park-adjacent homes: Homes next to parks often offer more privacy and green views, but check for floodplain, drainage, and trail foot traffic.

Find a home near the trails

If trail or park access is on your list, I'll help you find the streets that actually connect. Contact Johnny Quilenderino to map out your buying or selling strategy, or browse current Arlington homes for sale.

Related Arlington neighborhood guides:

For more Arlington buyer and seller questions, visit our Arlington real estate hub.