The Riverbend Road Trail is easily the least interesting of the hikes in northern Virginia’s Great Falls Park and is largely out of the way of the other trails in the park. Those seeking to conquer every trail in the area, however, may find some charms in this short, out-and-back jaunt. Situated in the park’s northwest corner, the single-track trail weaves through woods and across a perennial stream, connecting the parking area north of the Visitor Center with Riverbend Road.

The hike

Because there is no evident parking along Riverbend Road, begin and end the hike along Riverbend Road Trail at the northernmost parking lot in Great Falls Park. (Note: Some will complete the hike in conjunction with the nearby Mine Run Trail.) From the parking area, a graveled road (closed to vehicles; hiking and biking only) heads off into the woods to the west, skirting the northern flank of Clay Pond. Follow this gentle path for about 1/3 mile, first passing the turnoff for the Mine Run Trail on the left, then proceeding further north—almost to the boundary of Riverbend Park—to the start of the Riverbend Road Trail. (Note: Both are marked with trail signs.)

Bear left on the narrowing footpath, which starts by descending steadily to a wooded floodplain dotted with oaks, maples, chestnuts, and the occasional beech. Roughly 4/10 mile from the start, hikers will cross a small, muddy stream, then climb again to another floodplain.

Stream crossing

Creek along Riverbend Road Trail

Patches of verdant undergrowth are interspersed with relatively barren earth as the trail bobs up and down, bearing west toward the edge of the park. The trail climbs out of the woods suddenly at about the 7/10-mile mark, running under a set of power lines and approaching Riverbend Road, the terminus of the short path.

From this point, return the way you came, or venture south on the lovely Mine Run Trail. If completing just the out-and-back, plan for a little less than an hour of hiking.