Mount Vernon via the Mount Vernon Trail

We'll first circle Fort Hunt Park, then pick up the paved, flat Mount Vernon Trail which hugs the Potomac shoreline on our way to the Mount Vernon Estate. We’ll spend a few minutes perusing the Estate (what little we can see that's free of charge). Afterwards, we'll return to the Fort Hunt Park parking lot along the same path.

Roundtrip this walk is approximately 8.2 miles in length.

Meetup Point
Fort Hunt Park "Picnic Area A" parking lot. The park entrance is located on the George Washington Memorial Parkway roughly 5.5 miles south of the Old Town Alexandria I-495/I-95 overpass. Once you enter the park, follow the sign towards Fort Hunt Park. Then bear right onto the loop road (can only turn right). Turn left into the first parking lot on your left. The sign says "Picnic Area A".

The trail is located near the entrance to the park. If you arrive after the group has departed, pick up the trail heading south (the Potomac River should always be on your left). The trail parallels the Parkway for much of its length.

Estimated Walking Time
2.5 hours

What to Bring
Water, comfortable shoes