Colvin Run
Fairfax County Park Authority
Reston, VA
Vienna, VA

This trail mostly follows Colvin Run from Lake Fairfax Park to Colvin Run Mill Park. The Washington & Old Dominion Trail provides the southern boundary of this trail run, while Colvin Run Mill at Leesburg Pike (Route 7) provides the northern boundary.

Approximate Distance: 3 to 4 miles
Surface: All dirt trails

Location of trailheads
Southern trailhead
Northern trailhead

To run this trail from the W&OD, begin at a path that starts at the end of Michael Faraday Court in Reston, VA. Look for a dirt path that cuts through the underbrush, heading north.

After a lot of rain, you will find this path quite muddy and may wish to start instead from the parking lot of the Reston Ice Forum, located at 1800 Michael Faraday Court, Reston, VA. Start from the northwest corner of the parking lot of the ice skating rink. You can also access this trail system from side paths in the local Reston residential communities.

Follow the path through the woods for about a mile. Do not take any of the side paths bearing to the left. After your first stream crossing, take the path up the hill to the right. Going to the left takes you to the campgrounds at Lake Fairfax Park.

After maybe a quarter mile, the path loops back to the left, again leading to the campgrounds. Instead, however, continue straight, skirting the soccer fields and following markings for the horse trail.

After running through the woods a short distance, the trail leads to another open area. Bear left and run the length of the open field until you come upon a steep hill that leads down to the picnic areas.

Run down to the picnic areas bearing right. Follow the road to the other side of the large picnic area and then take the path that leads to the left and back into the woods.

You may wish to start this run from Lake Fairfax Park, which contains ample parking in the picnic areas and water throughout most of the year. See: www.fairfax.va.us/parks/maps/lakefairfaxmap.htm

To find the Lake Fairfax trailhead by car, enter Lake Fairfax Park and follow the road the down the hill to the point where it bends sharply to the left. Follow the road across the small bridge, crossing Colvin Run, and take your first left into the group picnic area. Find the trailhead in the back, left corner of the picnic area.

From this point the trail runs adjacent and to the right of Colvin Run. After a few hundred yards, the trail crosses Hunter Mill Road and continues back into the woods for about another mile of trail running.

The trail exits to Carpers Farm Way. From here you can run left, cross Leesburg Pike (Route 7), and arrive at Colvin Run Mill Park.

Start at the northern border of this trail segment by parking at Colvin Run Mill Park. Cross Leesburg Pike to Carpers Farm Way and turn right onto the dirt path, just a few yards on the right.

This trailhead also provides the following options:

• South along the Cross-County Trail to the W&OD Trail (14.5-mile marker)
• North along Difficult Run until it feeds into the Potomac River at Great Falls Park.

Complete about a 10-mile circuit run by following the Cross-County Trail south to the W&OD, turning west on the W&OD, and continuing back to Michael Faraday Court.