Lubber Run, Lubber Run Park, December 2015

Far from Arlington’s finest, the Lubber Run Trail nonetheless offers a pleasant, paved stroll through a pretty stream valley south of Ballston, Virginia. The namesake creek is flanked by thousands of gray stones, and a series of minor dips make for some trickling cascades. Picnic tables abound, and a gargantuan outdoor amphitheater marks roughly the halfway point between North George Mason Drive and Arlington Boulevard.

The hike

The northern terminus of the Lubber Run Trail is situated off North George Mason Drive just east of the intersection with North Carlin Springs Road. The start is hard to miss: a well-placed sign welcomes visitors to Lubber Run Park – continue straight ahead. (Note: A left turn takes one up the hill to the Lubber Run Community Center, playground, and basketball/volleyball courts.) The wide, paved path quickly crosses over a bridge, then runs along the west bank of Lubber Run; the opposite bend is flanked by a multi-tiered stone wall, perhaps the handiwork of masons at the conception of Lubber Run Park?

Lubber Run and the stone wall

Soon after the wall, the trail quickly climbs roughly 4-5 feet in elevation to clear a minor uplift, an ascent that could pose a challenge for visitors in a wheelchair. Soon after, however, the route levels out again, passing a spur trail leading over the creek to a picnic shelter with ten tables. A minute later, the footpath approaches a curious intersection, where one must choose between a) crossing a cement berm over which the stream flows or b) bearing right, off the main trail, and cutting through a small picnic area before crossing a wood-railed bridge to the east bank of Lubber Run. There are a handful of very minor falls in this section.

Curious creek crossing on Lubber Run Trail

Looming ahead is the massive outdoor amphitheater, which seats more than 700 on summer nights for theater performances and other events. The trail passes the back end of the amphitheater, the approximate halfway marker for the walk. Just past the restrooms, a sloping path leads sharply up the hill on the left, while the main trail continues to follow Lubber Run downstream as the ravine opens up. It’s roughly ¼ mile from here to the start of the (relatively) steep, final ascent up to heavily-trafficked Arlington Boulevard, the somewhat dissatisfying end to the hike. Conceivably, it is possible to follow the “bike route” signs across Arlington Blvd to South Columbus Street, which eventually links up with the Washington and Old Dominion Trail and Four Mile Run Trail in Glencarlyn Park…

Final hill, leading up to Arlington Boulevard

…Or you can return the way you came, following the paved path back to North George Mason Drive or cross the stream to the west bank, where a short, unpaved trail leads back to the funky intersection, after which the paved track offers the only option.