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Trail Description:
This area is actually two parks connected by a gravel fire road. The treat is that it is right smack in the middle of the Southwestern D.C. suburbs. Lots of smooth to rooty singletrack with numerous logs. The trails are challenging for the beginner but a good test for the intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. You can ride here for months and still find new trails. Overall the elevation gain is minimal and it's very easy to spend an entire day out here without getting exhausted.
How to get there:
Head west on the 495 out of Alexandria, VA. Take the Braddock Road exit off of 495. Stay right. Turn right at the stoplight onto Braddock Road. Take a right at the first stoplight into the Wakefield Recreation Area.
Additional Notes:
A popular area for walking so watch out for pedestrians!
| Posted by: Syrusm on 7/15/2009 |
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for beginner to intermediate level this is a fantastic trail(s). it also has a few nontrivial spots for those looking for some challenge. For example, the optional 10 foot-ish drop is fun. they have also built an advanced park section under the power lines where you can do a lot of tricks. i happened to run into this... it would be very easy to miss. another section under the power lines has a really fun banked decent. the best thing about it is that you can choose how difficult you want it to be which is perfect for taking others who are just getting into mountain biking. the trick about this area is that it is not obvious where all the trails are so you have to experiment.
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| Posted by: David on 12/29/2008 |
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Wakefield is by far the best of the 2 trails. Wakefield is extremely easy to access, and once your in, it's impossible to miss the single track trails. I've been to Accotink about 3 times, and not once have i been able to find the single track trails. If you just want to get started with mountain biking or are expert Wakefield will totaly get you pump about doing some more mountain biking. I went to Accotink again today from Wakefield and that took so long that it was dark by the time i got to accotink. Go to Wakefield not accotink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted by: Cabe on 1/8/2008 |
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Ok area, good trails, great trail community! This area has a little of everything for everybody. The single track is not super extensive but is perfect to create custom loops. Best area is the north side of the park.
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| Posted by: blackhat on 6/4/2007 |
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Excellent and well maintained trails. Super fun to ride, fast single tracks, with a lot of variety.
The downside is that you're riding right along the highway. So on a hot smoggy day you definitly breath more carbon dioxide than recommanded... and you can feel it. Too bad to have such a nice set up at such a bad location!
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| Posted by: Jonathan on 6/21/2006 |
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Wakefield and Accotink are both excellent places to ride for the beginner to weekend warrior levels, but they get old after a while. Unless you know where to look. At wakefield if you find the single track, go toward the giant powerline hills and you'll find some nice single and doubletrack trails that are banked and you'll even find some nice opportunities to get some air. Along with the powerline trails, you can head into the woods off to the side and find some nicely groomed woodsy single and double track decent and ascent trails. Then at accotink there are single and double track trails toward the outside of the normal bike paths that run around the ridge of the lake. 5 to 40 foot steep downhill drop-ins can easily be found along the trail and are a good experience for those who are starting to get serious about mountain biking. Also for those freeride bikers out there, there are those intimidating but easy steps on the side of the accotink dam. These will always get so
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| Posted by: Jerome on 1/21/2006 |
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Knowing where to look...look everywhere! On the Accotink side of things, when away from the lake, on the main trail, notice when the walls on one side are tall...you can snake up the sides and find a rippin drop from the top or two, careful though, it'll shoot you across the main trail and into the air on the other side...scout the landing first! =)
As well, nestled in the woods is a spot, a kind of crescent shaped hill, with a tiny swamp n trees in the bottom...up at the highest spot (where midnight bonfire remains sometime are) start back in the woods for a running start back towards the hill, drop and jump! Watch out for ruts on the landing. Try during a full moon for good family fun!
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| Posted by: jiimmyc1 on 4/6/2005 |
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Let me tell you coming from the North where I could exit my backyard and tear it up on some snowmobile trails during the late spring and early summer, I was shockingly surprised....I have been in Northern VA for two years and finally I am content with a variety, thrill seaking, various level place to mountainbike. If you are a beginner, intermediate, or semi-advanced, you'll get a good workout here.....plus the key ingrediant is that it is close to the DC area! Thankx!
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| Posted by: pablissimo on 3/26/2005 |
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Accotink is the best of the two, it has a lot of singletrack if you know where to look. There are also a couple of 4-8 foot drops back onto the main trail. Wakefields had a facelift, and now it's a little bit better, lots of switchbacks, and bridges.(I would know because i helped build them:)
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| Posted by: Ceasar on 7/12/2001 |
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It's great to find trails with options within the DC area. This is definitely one of them. There are plenty of opportunities for working on technical skills, and also just for getting a workout. The most majestic forested areas can be found in the trails originating from the gravel path just above lake accotink, opposite of the large hill burm.
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| Posted by: Ceasar on 7/12/2001 |
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P.S - the 3 rating does not mean these aren't good trails, but 4's and 5's are reserved for adding a lot more elevation and views in my book.
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