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greenBlue Burke Lake Trail

FEATURED
  4.2 ( 26 )
FEATURED
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  1. Areas
  2. VA
  3. …Northern Virginia
  4. Burke Lake Park
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Trail

4.4 mile 7.0 kilometer loop
Doubletrack
Easy/Intermediate

Elevation

Ascent: 72' 22 m
Descent: -73' -22 m
High: 340' 104 m
Low: 315' 96 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 1% (0°)
Max Grade: 2% (1°)

Dogs

Leashed
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Trail shared by Peter Magnuson

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“One of the best hikes in Northern Virginia.”

— Peter Magnuson
GPX File

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildlife

Overview

Another great Northern VA lake trail. This is mostly doubletrack with a couple of paved sections near both ends of the lake. It's well maintained and generally not too rocky or rooty. This trail can get extremely busy on a nice weekend so you need to watch for dogs, children and bikes. There is a fitness course along the route, too, if you want to challenge yourself a bit more.

Need to Know

This trail is pretty straight forward--a loop around the lake. In the summer months, there is a snack bar where you can grab a drink. It's near the mini-golf parking lot. This park does host high school cross country races during the season although they don't use the entire trail.

Description

This trail has it all: dirt sections, paved sections, a campground, boat launch and even a train! This is a popular trail in the area, so it does get crowded on nice weekends. The trail itself winds all the way around the lake. There is a main parking lot to the park, but you can also access the trail from the campground.

Contacts

Land Manager: Fairfax County, VA - Park Authority

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Check-Ins

Dec 27, 2018
Nick Barendregt
Nice walk along the lake; a good way to pass time without being too taxing. 4.4mi
Nov 11, 2018
Aleksandras Nakutis
Oct 20, 2018
Thomas Power
4.7 mile loop around the lake. Mostly an easy and wide dirt path that's good for jogging/walking. Park is run by Fairfax County. 4.7mi — 1h 15m
Oct 15, 2018
Emily Comerford
Slightly muddy but beautiful trail with great views. 5.8mi
Sep 22, 2018
Christopher Briggs
Distance calculated by Strava. Well maintained trail with a few mud holes due to recent rain. 4.7mi
Aug 5, 2018
Kristine S
4.9mi
Nov 18, 2017
Tashia McCarty
Jul 16, 2017
A Covington
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 25 votes

#1

in Burke Lake Park

#468

Overall
  4.1 from 25 votes
5 Star
32%
4 Star
52%
3 Star
12%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in Burke Lake Park

#17

in Virginia

#468

Overall
103 Views Last Month
5,328 Since Apr 29, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
48%
44%
8%
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Photos

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
 3
South Run Stream Valley Trail begins at intersection with Burke Lake Trail.
South Run Stream Valley Trail begins at interse…
 3
The view of Burke Lake from the dam.
The view of Burke Lake from the dam.
 3
Lakeview from the northern end
Lakeview from the northern end
 3
Beautiful woods
Beautiful woods
 3
Street shoulder parking near beginning of South Run Stream Valley Trail and Burke Lake Trail.
Street shoulder parking near beginning of South…
 3

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