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Washington & Old Dominion
Railroad Regional Park (Virginia)
The W&OD, one of the best-
loved trails in the Washington,
D.C., region, spans 45 paved
miles from Arlington, just outside
the capital, into rolling Virginia
countryside, where grazing horses
and cows dot the landscape. Much
of the trail is heavily wooded, yet
restaurants and shops are never far
as the trail winds through Vienna
and later Herndon; an old caboose
and train depot can also be
explored in both towns. Ashburn
offers the chance to see a working
quarry, and historical Leesburg,
which has a Colonial feel, has a
charming downtown that’s worth a
linger. At trail’s end in Purcellville,
travelers will find Victorian-era
buildings and a cheerful yellow
depot dating back to 1904.
JAMES WELTER
Little Miami Scenic
Trail (Ohio)
At 73 miles and
fully paved, the Little
Miami Scenic Trail is a
jewel in the 330-mile
network of trails in
Ohio’s Miami Valley.
Beginning just outside
Cincinnati and heading
northeast, the trail con-
nects dozens of friendly
towns on a picturesque
path through parks
and nature preserves,
tranquil countryside
and lush forests. Trail
users can visit the
restored railroad depots
in Morrow, Xenia and
Yellow Springs; cross a
stunning iron trestle in
Corwin; and visit the
archaeological site at
the Fort Ancient State
Memorial.
MATTHEW CULBERTSON
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