Dismal Swamp/Washington Ditch 9 mile O&B

Washington Ditch Trail goes 4.25 miles in to Lake Drummond. Getting back to the car puts us around 9 miles total.

The Washington Ditch Trail is located on the west side of the Dismal Swamp. 45min drive from Newtown Rd in VB. It’s a flat & straight(but still interesting IMO) 6’ wide gravel/dirt/grass tire track path running along a ditch in the swamp. Originally built as a cart path in 1768.

This time of year should be great with minimal bugs, heat & humidity. Summer hiking here is a tough one.

Black bear encounter is a possibility as I’ve come across hiking solo her before. Strength in numbers is always louder & better as I can now use your body as a shield. Ha! Nah, I carry a bear horn.

Out early to be back for Browns football.

18-20min/mile pace is what we shoot for on this very easy hike. You can’t get much flatter & straighter.

Pack a snack for turnaround point at Lake Drummond. Dock is falling apart & unusable. Unfortunately no benches out there either. Don’t he scared to put your butt on the ground if dry tho.

Don’t let the straight hike full you. To head out 4+ miles into the swamp , water on both sides & be 100% surrounded & consumed by it, feeling it’s raw untamed history & to only see an endless straight road in both directions is a wonderfully mysterious thing.

What you carry in, you carry out. Free parking with restroom.
Leashed dogs welcome.
Weather cancellation would be the night before. A little rain won’t stop me, although there isn’t really a canopy to cover our path.
Snack, water & proper attire recommended.

I go no matter who shows.

Not sure if FB or MU locations are at a different location/visitor center?
👇Trailhead parking here👇
3076 White Marsh Rd.
Suffolk, VA 23434