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Author:
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Backpacker Magazine
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Activity:
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Hiking
ActivitySearchHiking
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State:
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Virginia (VA)
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Distance:
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4.47 mi
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Difficulty:
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5 / 10
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Rating:
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 2 rating(s)
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Mapped by Ivan Levin
TO TRAILHEAD: US 1 S to George Washington Pkwy. N to I-495 S to VA 193 W (toward Great Falls, VA) to Georgetown Pike/VA 193. In 3.5 miles, turn L into Difficult Run parking lot.
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Datum: |
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DFR01
| Dist: 1.07 mi |
Points: 64 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Great Falls (Track 1)
DFR02
| Dist: 3.41 mi |
Points: 277 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Great Falls (Track 2)
DFR001
Location: 38.978287°, -77.248871°
Hike S on Difficult Run Trail, which parallels the banks of its aptly-named stream. In 800 ft., path rounds to the E
DFR002
Location: 38.976006°, -77.246223°
Pass under Georgetown Pike; trail widens as it follows stream's course
DFR003
Location: 38.975887°, -77.237022°
Bear R (SE) @ Y and continue downhill; rocky trail awaits below
DFR004
Location: 38.976208°, -77.235130°
Watch Difficult Run flow into the Potomac River from grassy banks. Next: Retrace to WPT 3; turn R @ Y onto Ridge Trail
DFR005
Location: 38.976204°, -77.236259°
Turn L @ T
DFR006
Location: 38.980785°, -77.242607°
Turn R (N) @ T onto River Trail; prepare for steep descent. On R, rocky cliffs jut up behind the Potomac River
DFR007
Location: 38.984169°, -77.245827°
Follow River Trail to the R (N) @ road crossing
DFR008
Location: 38.989349°, -77.248611°
Pass stone ruins. Turn R @ footbridge (stay on River Trail). In 300 yds., cross wooden footbridge
DFR009
Location: 38.995117°, -77.252991°
Stay R of picnic area. Ahead are two overlooks above Great Falls, a series of several cascades that cut deep grooves into the rocky river bottom. Next, hike S through picnic area, cross footbridge
DFR010
Location: 38.992874°, -77.252907°
Pass bathrooms and turn R @ Y onto Old Carriage Rd.
DFR011
Location: 38.990616°, -77.253723°
Turn R @ 3-way onto Swamp Trail
DFR012
Location: 38.986088°, -77.250732°
Keep R (S) @ Y, heading uphill
DFR013
Location: 38.981892°, -77.250099°
L @ T onto Ridge Trail. In 350 ft., turn R onto path marked by split rail post. In .3 mi., carefully cross Georgetown Pike to parking area
Difficult Run Parking Lot
Location: 38.978245°, -77.248611°
© Ivan Levin
Georgtown Pike
Location: 38.976070°, -77.246048°
Difficult Run Trail passes under Georgetown Pike. © Ivan Levin
Difficult Run Trail Fork
Location: 38.975876°, -77.236847°
Go straight for scenic views of Difficult Run flowing into the Potomac River. © Ivan Levin
Difficult Run and Potomac River
Location: 38.976231°, -77.235031°
Difficult Run empties into the Potomac River. © Ivan Levin
River Trail Entrance
Location: 38.980770°, -77.242332°
Entrance to River Trail from Ridge Trail. © Ivan Levin
Potomac Overlook
Location: 38.981796°, -77.243050°
Scenic overlook of Potomac River. © Ivan Levin
River Trail Road Crossing
Location: 38.984203°, -77.245811°
River Trail after road crossing. © Ivan Levin
Potomac River
Location: 38.985584°, -77.246124°
View of Potamac upriver from overlook on River Trail. © Ivan Levin
Patowmack Canal Ruins
Location: 38.989414°, -77.248451°
© Ivan Levin
Large Wooden Footbridge
Location: 38.991703°, -77.249168°
Large wooden footbridge on River Trail. © Ivan Levin
Great Falls
Location: 38.995022°, -77.252876°
View of Great Falls from scenic overlook. © Ivan Levin
Swamp Trail
Location: 38.985981°, -77.250549°
View of Swamp Trail. © Ivan Levin
