The Washington & Old Dominion Trail is one of the defining pieces of Northern Virginia's outdoor infrastructure.
The paved trail stretches roughly 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville, following the route of the former Washington & Old Dominion Railroad. It's used for walking, running, biking and skating, with nearby connections to other regional trails.
The Arlington section connects with the Custis Trail and Bluemont Junction Trail, while the broader system reaches into Fairfax and communities farther west.
Fairfax County also identifies the W&OD as part of its larger network of more than 600 miles of trails and bikeways.
Why locals care
The W&OD isn't just recreational.
It can also be part of how you get around.
A morning run, a bike commute, an afternoon walk or a quick trip to a nearby restaurant can all start from the same trail network.
That's one reason trail access is worth putting on your checklist when you're comparing homes around Fairfax and Arlington.
