Are dogs allowed on Mount Vernon Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Mount Vernon Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Mount Vernon Trail?

No, Mount Vernon Trail does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Mount Vernon Trail?

Mount Vernon Trail is rated expert. It is 18.4 miles long with 2,448 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Virginia trail conditions

ExpertOut and Back

Virginia

Mount Vernon Trail

Mount Vernon, Virginia

18.4 mi

Distance

2,448 ft

Elev. Gain

6h 27m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Expert

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

You will not believe how beautiful the trail is. You can see some gorgeous riverside scenery and enjoy some unique and interesting stops along the way. It is easy to do this trail in one day if you spend some time at Mount Vernon. If you combine this ride with a C & O Canal Towpath ride, you can cross the Frances Scott Key Bridge to start your ride. The trail is well paved and spends a lot of time on the roads. You should take time to look at the monuments in Washington D.C. You get a different perspective from this trail.

From Wikipedia

The Mount Vernon Trail (MVT) is an 18-mile (29 km) long shared use path that travels along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Northern Virginia between Rosslyn and George Washington's home at Mount Vernon. The trail connects the easternmost portions of Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, and Fairfax County, and travels mostly on dedicated trail with a small portion on city streets. As part of U.S. Bike Route 1, the Potomac Heritage Trail and the East Coast Greenway, the MVT opened in April 1972 as a gravel path and was subsequently expanded and paved.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:-5 ft

Max:61 ft

746 ft

739 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.