August 2007

CAPITAL INFORMATION

Trails & Fitness in Washington, DC

With more than 234,000 acres of parkland in the DC metro area, staying fit while on the road is easier and more enjoyable than ever. Whether your clients are joggers, bicyclists, or just walkers looking for a stroll in the park, DC's open green spaces and inviting trails offer gorgeous backdrops to get their heart rates going.

The National Mall, a unit of the National Park Service, includes more than two miles of paved sidewalks on mostly flat terrain, extending from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Visitors can enjoy the fresh air while checking out the grand architecture of the monuments and memorials. The Mall is easily reached by taking Metro to the Smithsonian, Federal Triangle or L'Enfant Plaza stations. From March through October, the DC Circulator bus also makes several stops along the Mall.

If your delegates are staying in the Georgetown, Foggy Bottom/ West End or Woodley Park neighborhoods, Rock Creek Park, a unit of the National Park Service, is just a few blocks away. Twenty-nine miles of paved and natural surface trails wind through the 2,800-acre urban park, perfect for hiking, biking and roller blading. In addition to fresh air and exercise, park-goers can take in breathtaking views of the Potomac River, majestic trees, or even duck into the National Zoo. The park's southernmost end borders the Georgetown Waterfront near the Kennedy Center and Watergate, where canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals await. Reach Rock Creek Park by taking Metro's Red Line to the Woodley Park station or the Orange/Blue Lines to Foggy Bottom.

The 184.5-mile C&O Canal Tow Path is another favorite of hikers, joggers and bicyclists. Hugging the Potomac River, the trail begins at the C&O Canal Visitors Center in Georgetown then travels up to Cumberland, Maryland. While most towpath-users don't make it as far as Cumberland, it's easy to reach one of the area's most spectacular natural spaces, Great Falls National Park, which is located about 14 miles from Georgetown. To reach the trail's starting point, take the DC Circulator to Georgetown.

Starting at the Key Bridge across the Potomac from Georgetown and ending just north of George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, the Mt. Vernon Trail extends 18.5 miles. As it travels south, the trail winds past points of interest such as Theodore Roosevelt Island, Arlington National Cemetery, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Old Town Alexandria. Bikers and joggers often gather north of the airport at Gravelly Point to watch planes take off and land. The trail is accessible by Metro via the Blue or Orange Line to Rosslyn, Blue Line to Arlington National Cemetery or Blue/Yellow Line to Crystal City.

Another option for those seeking a jog, leisurely hike or casual bike ride is the Capital Crescent Trail, a paved trail that branches off from the C&O Towpath near Georgetown then stretches seven miles north to Bethesda and Silver Spring, Maryland. The historic rail-trail was built upon the abandoned rail bed of the 11-mile Georgetown Branch of the B&O Railroad. Four bridges and two tunnels offer trail users gentle gradients and grade-separated roadway crossings. The trail can be reached by taking the DC Circulator to Georgetown.

For visitors who prefer exploring on two wheels, Bike the Sites makes it easy to tackle DC's trails and paths. Mountain bikes, road bikes, kids' bikes and even tandems are available for rentals and include a helmet, bike tube, pump, lock, city map and handlebar bag. For a unique spouse or partner program, you can book an organized private tour of the city's most famous sites. Bike rentals and tours are available at the Old Post Office Pavilion in downtown DC; rentals are also available at a Bike the Sites kiosk in Arlington, Virginia, near the Mount Vernon Trail and the Custis Trail, which travels westward into Virginia.

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