Cross County Trail: Colvin Run Mill to Potomac River! Easy-Moderate 9-Mile Hike

Cross County Trail in Fairfax County, Virginia: From Colvin Run Mill to the Potomac River! An Easy-Side-of-Moderate 8.7-Mile Hike

The northernmost section of the Cross County Trail (CCT) in Fairfax County follows a lovely and leafy stream valley through upscale suburbia from a historic mill to the Potomac River.

Come out and join Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group for a hike along a scenic stream to Great Falls, VA and see for yourself this wonderful tucked away gem that is most convenient! Our route meanders along a little-used portion of the Cross-County Connector Trail in Fairfax County along Difficult Run Stream - starting at a historic working water-powered mill at Colvin Run Mill, which is owned and operated by the park service, a site that was originally owned by George Washington.

We'll see special sites along the way such as the operational mill and miller buildings, an old-style general store, mill race, and beautiful trails along the streams leading up to the Potomac River. We'll continue along Difficult Run to where it empties into the Potomac River, and then head back.

Click Here (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/crm/) for More Information Regarding the Mill

Much of Fairfax County's Cross County Trail lies within green, shaded stream valleys. Off limits to developers, the county's stream valleys support biodiversity and wildlife. It offers a rough Appalachian Trail-like experience. Some of it is stone dust. In some areas, there can sometimes be a lot of mud. It's maintained, but it's not groomed. That's the beauty of it. That's why it's great!

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Trail Information
Nearby City: Great Falls, VA
Length: 8.7 Miles
Scenery: River views, stream valley, woodlands
Skill Level: Easy-Side-of-Moderate
Trail Surface: Dirt or dirt and gravel, with some muddy stretches after recent rain; short stretch of pavement near the mill; gravelly old road north of pike; two stream crossings
Season: Year-round
Facilities: Toilets, water, phone at the mill.

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Park Entry Fee
There is no park entrance fee.

Gear Suggestions
Click Here for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.

Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine. Click Here to view the forecast for the area where we will be hiking.

Our RSVP and Group Etiquette
Click Here to review our RSVP policies and group etiquette.

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Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions to Where We Meet for this Hike.

Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 9:15-9:25 a.m.

The Hike is at 9:30 a.m.

Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values:

1. Fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette.
2. Leave No Trace principles.

Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and qualified MAHG members who volunteer as leaders for Mid-Atlantic Hiking Groups volunteer leadership team. Click Here to become a part of the team! MAHG volunteers and members are very supportive, and encouraging, with a focus on safety while enjoying the excellent camaraderie and benefiting from the many health benefits of hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHGs core values, as is our dedication to the conservation of our natural resources and our commitment to the organization's mission.
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a volunteer supported tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization and donations ARE tax-deductible. Tax ID: 47-5141831.

A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike!

Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!

Christa: 410.610.6254‬

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• Donations to Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group are Tax Deductible.

Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization.

• Click here to Learn more about Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s Mission.