(Strenuous) Hike W&OD Trail from Vienna to Reston or Herndon (ODH Training #8)

Okay folks, time to shake off those winter blahs . . . let's pry ourselves off those TV & computer screens, get outside and breathe some fresh air! This is a 14.5-mile out-and-back, go-at-your-own-pace, hike on the paved W&OD Trail to Reston (Mile Marker 18.5), or Herndon (Mile Marker 20), the turn-around for the 17-mile hike option. For extra credit, continue hiking to Bready Park (Mile Marker 20.4), the turn-around for the 18-mile option. A natural-surface horse trail parallels the paved W&OD Trail, so you may avoid some asphalt pounding by hiking on the horse trail. Elevation change is approximately 200 feet. If necessary, you may actually turn around at any point.

Meet in front of the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna, VA) at 8:45am. Well-mannered, leashed dogs are okay, but please let a leader know in advance.

If inclement weather is forecast, check this site after 7 pm, February 27.

The event is free, but SCPRO requests a voluntary donation of $2 per person to help defray the costs of our all-volunteer program.

Each participant must sign a liability waiver before starting the hike.

Wear trail shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring water, sports drinks, snacks, and lunch. There are opportunities to purchase food and drinks along the trail.
Comfort stations/restrooms:
Porta-John east of Hunter Mill Road (Mile Marker 14.6)
McDonalds Wiehle Avenue (Mile Marker 16.8) Herndon Fortnightly Library/Dairy Queen/Great Harvest Bread Company-Herndon Town Center (Mile Marker 20) Bready Park/Herndon Community Center (Mile Marker 20.4)
Be courteous and purchase something if using restrooms at commercial establishments.

Washington & Old Dominion Trail
http://bikewashington.org/trails/wad/wad.htm
Washington & Old Dominion Trail - Mile 10 thru 20
http://bikewashington.org/trails/wad/wad2.htm

ODH: Although open to all, this hike is part of a series of mostly Saturday training hikes leading up to the One Day Hike (ODH)—a 100 km and 50 km hike along the C&O Canal Trail—on May 2, 2026. See SCPRO’s Meetup page for other training hikes as they are posted. For official updates regarding ODH training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to [onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io](http://mailto:onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io/). If you would like to support the ODH, see volunteering opportunities in the discussion group and contact Mike Darzi ([mike.darzi@gmail.com](http://mailto:mike.darzi@gmail.com/)).

Carpooling: If you want a lift from the Vienna Metro station, contact a leader not later than noon, Feb. 26. Otherwise, post messages on SCPRO Meetup specifying where you're coming from. Carpooling is a voluntary action by event participants and is not an official Sierra Club activity.

Leaders: Gary Kosciusko, 703-946-8111, NOVAHIKER@cox.net or Annice “Niecy” Lee, 703-851-9468, annicelee@gmail.com .