| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS | SUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS | MAPS | VIDEOS | BLOGS | MARKETPLACE | CONTESTS |
 |
|
|
|
Washington, DC: G.R. Thompson Loop
Pick a sport: fish, bird watch, or hike. Next: tour parts or all of this 5.8-mile loop for a quick getaway from the noisy Capitol City.
Map Tools
Share Trip
- E-mail Trip
- Embed Map
- Social Bookmarks more bookmarks...
Download To
Create A Trip
Related Topics
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Virginia (VA) |
| Distance: | 5.81 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Linden, Upperville |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
You’ve toured the Smithsonian, walked the Mall, and photographed Capitol Hill. Now, tour the wilder side of D.C. on this 5.8-mile loop. This hike strings together a small lake (fine fishing), several overlooks, (views to a local vineyard), and a segment of the Appalachian Trail (
Begin by heading west just south of the lake. The first mile quickly ramps up, climbing a hillside overlooking nearby valleys. The trail follows an old dirt road and joins up with the
Warning: Hunting is open along parts of this trail. Wear hunter orange or avoid the fall hunting seasons.
Mapped by Fletcher
TO TRAILHEAD: From Washington, DC, head west on I-66 to exit 18. Turn right on VA 688/Leeds Manor Rd. and continue 3.9 miles to trailhead parking.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
GRT01
| Distance: 5.81 mi | Points: 1076 |
Track
Points of Interest
GRT001
Location: 38.957378, -77.988792Trailhead: The parking lot is approximately 100 yards north of the lake (where the trail starts), but there is a park map and info board here. Several trails start and end at the lake: for this trip, head up the road and follow the trail straight ahead, passing the lake on your right as you start the hike on an old dirt road.
GRT002
Location: 38.955010, -77.998795Go left @ 4-way intersection. Turning right here offers the option for a significantly shorter bail-out route.
GRT003
Location: 38.953468, -77.997833The trail turns right onto an old dirt road bed at the fence. Most of this trail is on a dirt road of some kind, but in the summer, grass and weeds seem to fill in the road bed and turn the trail into singletrack.
GRT004
Location: 38.952511, -77.999481The trail continues straight passing a vineyard on the left.
GRT005
Location: 38.950314, -78.010468Continue straight @ 3-way junction as the trail continues on a steady uphill stretch. The climbing ends at the Appalachian Trail junction up ahead.
GRT006
Location: 38.948978, -78.012146The trail passes old tin shack on the left. This is a nice spot to appreciate the the valley views to the south/southeast.
GRT007
Location: 38.953297, -78.021431Turn right onto the Appalachian Trail (marked with white blazes). In the winter, enjoy views of the lake. In the summer, heavy tree cover blocks scenics to lake.
GRT008
Location: 38.963455, -78.016060Turn right @ 4-way junction to head east down the hill. The descent is steep and a little rocky in parts. The dirt road beds on this loop act as drainages during and after rainfall, making for potentially sloppier conditions. To explore the AT a bit more before heading back to the car, continue straight at this junction.
GRT009
Location: 38.964050, -77.996658Turn right @ trail junction to continue down towards the lake. Take a break at one of the lakeside benches before returning to the trailhead.
The trailhead
Location: 38.957340, -77.988510© Fletcher Caldwell
The valley
Location: 38.952267, -78.001381© Fletcher Caldwell
The Lake
Location: 38.957676, -77.992043Related Trips
Comments Post a comment
0 Trip Comments
National Parks Hall of Fame
The best videos, photos, and beta
from Denali to the Smokies.
GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need.
Photo & Video Center
Essential gear, instruction, and more.
GPS Trails App for iPhone & Android
Locate, research, plan, and save trips on your smartphone.
