Cub Run Stream Valley Park
Fairfax County Park Authority
Centreville, VA

This trail follows Cub Run, starting in Cub Run Stream Valley Park to the south of Braddock Road. This trail description connects Big Rocky Run to the Bull Run / Occoquan Trail system.

Approximate Distance: 2 to 3 miles
Surface: About 1/2 dirt trails and 1/2 asphalt trails/road

Location of trailheads
Northeasterrn trailhead- ADC Map 11, G-9
Southwestern trailhead - ADC Map 18, C-4

I have not run this area thoroughly, yet, but it seems that most of the easier trails consist of asphalt and lie on the perimeter of the park area.

For some adventure, start from Chalet Woods Park (ADC Map 11, E-10) and simply enter the woods heading south. You find many intermittent trails from the indigenous animals and children. I suggest you follow a creek bed, which should eventually lead you to Cub Run.

I stayed on the east side of Cub Run and was able to run most of the time. I suggest wearing long pants if you run, since you mostly follow animal trails. Also be prepared for the occasional log crossing to get over the various streams that feed into Cub Run.

Heading south with the current, eventually cross over Round Lick. I found the trail south of Round Lick fairly well worn and easy running. You end up here if you enter this trail from the trailhead located at the intersection of Kamputa Drive and Sully Park Drive. See Big Rocky Run West for more information on this trailhead.

Before too long you will come to a clearing and have choices:

• Continue straight onto an asphalt path
• Cross Cub Run to the right over circular stone steps

Continuing straight puts you onto asphalt path that follows the park perimeter. Crossing Cub Run takes you to open space and asphalt trails in 3 directions. Take none of the asphalt trails, but instead bear left onto a dirt path that follows some sort of utility line through the open space.

Whether you take the asphalt path before crossing Cub Run or cross and bear left along the utility line, the paths eventually take you to London Towne Park.

From here you cross Lee Highway (Route 29) south and follow mostly asphalt trails, and some road, to Bull Run Regional Park.This picture is taken from Lee Highway look north (back) towards the utility lines. After crossing, follow the cement path on the south side of Lee Highway.

After a few yards, you cross Cub Run at a ford with circular cement blocks. This picture is taken after crossing Cub Run. After crossing, follow the cement path up to the power lines.

The power lines run mostly north/south. From here you have a choice of running dirt under the power lines in the open or continuing along the asphalt path to run in the woods.

To stay on dirt, bear right at the end cement walkway, following the asphalt path for only a few yards. Next, bear left (south) and follow the power lines. Continue following the power lines until you connect with the asphalt path that parallels Cub Run. (Note: If you took the left at the end of the cement walkway into the woods, then you will already be on this path.)

From the power lines, turn right onto the path. At this point, Cub Run follows I-66 and the asphalt path follows adjacent to Cub Run, about 100 to 200 yards up a hill. Stay on the asphalt path until you come to a road - Compton Road.

Turn left onto Compton, running along the road to cross over Cub Run and cross under I-66. Turn right at the first intersection, about 100 yards after the crossing. This takes you into a very small residential section where you will find a Fairfax County Park Authority gate.

Pass the gate, following the road, and you have entered the Bull Run Special Event Center. You may now run on the road or next to it through open fields.

Follow the asphalt road until you get to a T-intersection in the road. The represents the main entrance of the Special Event Center.

Turn left on the road. This leads you to the Bull Run Shooting Center. Continue past the shooting center to a bend in the road to the right. From here, a white-blazed trail continues into the woods. Take the trail for a few hundred yards to the Bull Run / Occoquan Trail.

Turn right to reach the Bull Run Regional Park main road (less than 100 yards) that leads to the public swimming pool and campgrounds. Turn left to head towards Occoquan (approximately 18 miles) to Fountainhead Regional Park.

For a southern trailhead, park at either the Shooting Center or at the public swimming pool located withing Bull Run Regional park. This trail description shows the trailhead at the Shooting Center.