Sugarland Run Trail: Seneca Ridge to Algonkian Parkway

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Wildlife

Rocky in spots with a few short steep climbs and descents. Singletrack trail that follows the Sugarland Run Creek about a mile south of where is enters the Potomac River. Relatively unknown, yet some recent trail work and a new foot bridge.

No restrooms

Starting from the end of a paved trail in the Sugarland Run neighborhood where the Algonkian Pkwy runs over the Sugarland Run Creek, heads up-creek (south) on a mostly dirt singletrack. There are a few rocky spots, and the trail has been overgrown before (though recent trail work has cleared the first half and established a new foot bridge over a small spillway).

After a steep but short climb and descent, the trail follows the creek upstream in a quiet "valley" between two neighborhoods. About 2/3 of the way up, it opens into a 4x4 road, then back into singletrack, before ending at the Seneca Ridge Middle School. A few short trails lead onto the neighboring subdivisions paved trail system.

Great hike with a dog as there are rarely other people out, and the trail is largely contained between the creek and high ground.

Deer and foxes. Once a year, there are rumors of a bear traveling from its winter campsite towards the Potomac River.