Bluebells at Riverbend Park, Great Falls and Difficult Run a Moderate 10.5 Miles

Bluebells at Riverbend Park, Great Falls and Difficult Run a Mod. 10.5 Mile Hike

This is a two-park hike spanning 10.5 miles, beginning at Riverbend Park and winding through the uplands toward Great Falls. The trail follows the gorge and continues onto the floodplain, offering a variety of landscapes, stunning vistas, and about 800 feet of elevation change along the way. The hike winds its way back to Riverbend and its spring display of bluebells.

Just 15 miles from downtown Washington, the Great Falls area stands out as premier natural escape from the city. Riverbend Park features over 400 acres of forest, meadows, and ponds. In the spring, these meadows and riverbanks come alive with blooming Virginia bluebells, creating a vibrant carpet of soft blue and pink hues. Bluebells are especially abundant along the Potomac’s floodplain, drawing hikers and nature lovers to this annual spectacle. Here, Potomac River abruptly plunges nearly 80 feet through a series of rapids, carving a narrow, mile-long gorge with sheer walls. Protected by National Park Service lands on both riverbanks, the hike rewards you with breathtaking views of nature's power—accented by a wonderful display of bluebells lining the water’s edge.

NOTE: It is important to arrive by 8:45 or earlier as the parking lot fills quickly at this time of year.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 8:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00

Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders is Christa (410-610-6254) and Tim (202-744-0289). Call or text as needed.

Directions to Trailhead:
It is best to use the GPS coordinates. They will take you directly to the parking lot.
The GPS Coordinates are 39.017916, -77.246091

The street address to the park is 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA 22066.

We meet at the visitor’s center.

Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 800 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Bathrooms both at trailhead and Great Falls
Fees: no fees

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Weather:
The weather for this location can be found here.

Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.