A View From … 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee: Virginia’s Mount Vernon Trail
This summer, Virginia’s Mount Vernon Trail became the latest inductee into Rails to Trails Conservancy’s esteemed Hall of Fame after securing 58% of the public vote that took place in August. In America’s 250th year, it’s fitting that the 18.5-mile trail offers opportunities to explore the country’s history through its namesake, George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, and views of the nation’s capital in its journey along the Potomac River.
Parks and Wetlands
Right from the start, the Mount Vernon Trail provides access to beautiful natural spaces. Near its northern end, nature lovers can take a footbridge to reach wooded Theodore Roosevelt Island in the middle of the Potomac River. Farther south, the trail winds along the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve and other parks, offering the chance to see bald eagles, beavers, deer and other wildlife.
This article will be published in the upcoming Fall 2026 issue of Rails to Trails magazine and has been reposted here in an edited format. Subscribe to read more articles about remarkable trails while also supporting our work.
National Mall
Tracing the western riverbank of the Potomac, trailgoers are treated to stunning views of Washington, D.C., across the water. The Washington and Lincoln memorials are distinctive landmarks on the city’s National Mall, a museum- and monument-lined park that stretches from the water’s edge to the United States Capitol 2 miles away. Visitors can cross the river on the picturesque Arlington Memorial Bridge (or a handful of other bridges) to explore these iconic sites.
Gravelly Point
About 3 miles south of the trail’s northern terminus is Gravelly Point, a grassy park perfect for watching airplane traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The trail skirts the western edge of the airport, which provides bike racks and a bike-share station for easy riding or walking from the terminal.
Old Town Alexandria
Old Town Alexandria, at the trail’s midpoint, serves as a cosmopolitan complement to the route’s natural settings. Following Union Street through town, trailgoers can access a plethora of dining, shopping and entertainment options while enjoying the red brick architecture of this storied port city founded in 1749. History buffs will have their pick of museums to visit and historical walking tours to partake in.
Mount Vernon Estate
The trail ends at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, the home of America’s first president. The sprawling historic site includes several gardens, a 4-acre farm, a blacksmith shop, gristmill, distillery and more than a dozen other buildings to explore, as well as a museum and costumed interpreters for guided learning.
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