Learn how your comment data is processed. I guess that means I’m really hiking the trail twice. Most of our Cross County Trail lies within stream valley parkland. Fairfax Trail Buddy is a web-based mapping tool that allows you to discover the extensive network of Fairfax County Park trails. The Park Authority Director and the Park Authority Board worked closely with the Board of Supervisors to secure funding. This article was published in 2014 and updated in 2019 and 2020. Note that one stream crossing is often underwater and several areas are muddy even when we haven’t had a lot of rain. Length: 41.00 miles Loop Trail? It offers a rough Appalachian Trail-like experience. Campbell Creek Greenbelt. The trail connects to many other community trails and side paths along its route, as well as the popular W&OD Trail near Reston and the Cross County Trail in … With Fairfax Trails and Streams working from the citizen activist standpoint, it all began to take shape.". McLean. Cross County Trail (VA) Send to App National Map. You’ll find a mix of dirt, gravel, and paved surfaces on many segments. Mar 5, 2020 @ 10:18am. Get your cross-country skis out. Where to See Cherry Blossoms in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, Burke Lake Park Outdoor Fun in Northern Virginia, When the weather is good, almost any portion of the trail is worth a hike–with one exception. Hundreds of volunteers give irreplaceable time and talent to county non profits, fire stations, schoolrooms and the Park Authority (the agency's eight nature centers and historic sites … Along the way, it passes through many of our best Fairfax County parks. Cross County Trail: Accotink Creek is a 13.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Annandale, Virginia and is good for all skill levels. Much of Fairfax County's Cross County Trail lies within green, shaded stream valleys. Segment 9, Leigh Mill to Toll Road: Segment 9 follows a mix of dirt paths, water crossings, and stroller-friendly paved sections. Trail that is a collection of various trails that run across Fairfax County from the Potomac River near Great Falls in McLean, VA, to Occoquan Regional Park in Occoquan, VA. Mar 5, 2020. The Fairfax County Parkway, numbered State Route 286 (SR 286, formerly SR 7100), is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia, acting as an arterial route in Fairfax County with a mix of interchanges and signalized and unsignalized intersections. Hundreds of volunteers give irreplaceable time and talent to county non profits, fire stations, schoolrooms and the Park Authority (the agency's eight nature centers and historic sites boast 700+ volunteers, making it … Cub Run Stream Valley Trail. •You can run with your child or your leashed pet, ride a bike or a horse, skate, skip or take a leisurely stroll. The Fairfax Cross County Trail; The Mount Vernon Trail; The Custis Trail; Buy . 7.5 mi State: Alaska Asphalt, Dirt. Well, we don't plow the trail. We try to locate our trails away from sensitive areas like vernal pools. Increasingly rare, many of these plants grow only in protected stream valley environments. 13 mi State: Alaska Asphalt. Most of the trail markers still read CCT, but you’ll see some new stickers with the longer GCCCT designation as well. The trout lily, which blooms for only about two weeks in mid-April, takes seven seasons before it is able to put forth a flower. But then a CCT marker caught my eye. Tobin Road entrance. "Bikes, hikers, neighborhood dog walkers. It's maintained, but it's not groomed. We only link to products/services we recommend. If the gamble fails and the puddles disappear early due to a dry spring for instance, a whole generation of amphibians may be lost. "People call and complain that there's snow on the trail. The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail is sometimes referred to as the CCT (it uses "CCT" on its … Along the way, it passes through many of Fairfax County’s best parks and stream valleys. Check the segment maps on the Fairfax CCT site for details on what surfaces you’re going to encounter. The stretch between the W&OD and the Dulles Toll Road is especially popular for off-road biking. I generally take short solo hikes, so I like to pick a parking spot, hike the trail 2 to 3 miles, then double back the same way. The route consists of mostly non-paved trail systems with a few paved areas. Not only using the trails, but in maintaining the trails. This portion of the CCT has some good single-track that is popular with bikers, but the dirt portions get soggy after heavy rains. Fairfax Cross County Trail is one of the most popular trails in Virginia, especially for dog owners — you’ll see why when you come and visit! Reverts to original layout including graphics and images, By anyone's reckoning, it's a unique and glorious achievement for one American county -- a trail over 40 miles long connecting the entire county from one end to the other -- the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail (GCCCT of Fairfax County, Virginia.). It was then he saw a continuous green line snaking down from the north to the south across the county with maybe three or four gaps. Length 13.1 mi Elevation gain 190 ft Route type Out & back. Stream Valley Trails deliver a nice dose of nature, even in busy Virginia suburbs close to Washington DC. Trees in the stream valleys like to get their feet wet. It offers a rough Appalachian Trail-like experience. Follow the link for tips on how to break the hike into smaller segments and which part is best after rain. River birch, sweetgum, pawpaw and species of willow and alder all thrive in the rich, moist soils found in the trail's floodplain. does not allow or encourage Pet Care Providers to bring dogs to parks. This section of the CCT is concurrent with the Difficult Run Trail. •You can access the Washington and Old Dominion Trail from the CCT. Get your cross-country skis out. Some sections are suitable for horseback riding, and the entire length of … At first, I didn’t consider making the journey on a mountain bike as it isn’t all dirt, often incorporating long stretches of paved path, and even a … Some of it is stone dust. 1.5 mi State: Alaska Asphalt, Dirt. Set in the beautiful valleys and meadows of northeastern Virginia, Fairfax Cross County Trail (also known as Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail) is a trail you won’t want to miss if you are in the area with your furry friend. If you choose to tackle this section, avoid it on hot and muggy days. Lanie Fleischer … ArcGIS Online Item Details: title: Trail Buddy: description: Fairfax County contains over 900 miles of trails, bikeways and sidewalks that have been mapped and incorporated into a Geographic Information Systems database. By anyone's reckoning, it's a unique and glorious achievement for one American county -- a trail over 40 miles long that connects the entire county from one end to the other: the Fairfax Cross County Trail runs through some of the county's most scenic areas, beginning in the north at Great Falls National Park on the Potomac River, where it connects with the Potomac Heritage Trail that continues north along … FAIRFAX COUNTY CROSS COUNTY TRAIL Barrel Bridge is located in Fairfax County of Virginia state. The GCCCT is a strong symbol of community … Find links to those … We have written trail guides like this one for several segments of the CCT. "Citizen's advocacy is really the precursor to action.". This section should only be a brief overview. The over 40-mile-long Cross County Trail (Fairfax CCT) runs through some of the county's most scenic areas, beginning at Great Falls Park on the mighty Potomac River and extending south to the Occoquan River and Laurel Hill, formerly known as Lorton Prison. Off limits to developers, the county's stream valleys support biodiversity and wildlife. The benefit of laying eggs in a vernal pool is that there are no predators such as fish to gobble up the nearly defenseless tadpoles or larval salamanders. The marathon and half marathon will start at 8:00AM. Trail Features. Some sections are wheelchair/mobility scooter accessible but not all... VA: 40 mi : Asphalt, Ballast, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel 19 reviews. Here, hikers, joggers, equestrians, strollers, and cyclists can discover a natural wonderland. Parts of the trail can become very muddy if there has been excessive rainfall recently. The Fairfax Cross County Trail runs from Great Falls National Park in the county's northern end to Occoquan Regional Park in the southern end. The trail is narrow and rocky in some sections and could cause problems to those with handicaps. Tobin Road entrance. In 2014, the Fairfax Cross County Trail became the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail. Nature's amphibians need all the luck they can get! •It's close by, running from the Occoquan River in the south to the Potomac River in the north. This event will take place in its entirety in Virginia on the Cross County Trail surfaced by asphalt, pavement, crushed stone, and dirt. It begins at Occoquan Regional Park in … Hundreds of volunteers give irreplaceable time and talent to county non profits, fire stations, schoolrooms and the Park Authority (the agency's eight nature centers and historic sites boast 700+ volunteers, making it the envy of the nation). ", Randy Kerr of MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts), became involved in the effort. it is generally not too hilly. Shared By: Brian Smith with improvements by Brendan Pham Full Details. It traverses many surfaces, from mud trails and gravel roads to sidewalks and pavement. The Cross County Trail is a strong symbol of community connections for its involved citizens. It connects some of the major trails in the county. Parking; Trailhead; Tunnel; Restroom; Endpoint; Drinking Fountain; Geocoded Photos; Nearby Trails; Google Bike Map ; Bird to Gird Pathway. There are … Near Occoquan, Virginia. More information on the race is below. The Cross County Trail is a multi-use trail that generally follows the various stream valleys in Fairfax County, Virginia. In some places there is a lot of mud. Trail map of the Cross County Trail (VA) from Potomac River at Difficult Run (Great Falls National Park) to Occoquan River at Occoquan Regional Park (Occoquan). Be advised that some parts of the … The seventh annual race is set for Sunday November 8, 2020. But the noblest of all must be the sycamore, whose smooth, light bark stands out in sharp contrast to the darkness of the surrounding forest. The Cross County Trail is a multi-use trail that generally follows the various stream valleys in Fairfax County, Virginia. The trail is also popular with bikers and riders so stay alert and give them right of way. ", He obtained a large map of the county and highlighted all of the public land green. Allowed Uses: Bicycling (on pavement) Bicycling (off pavement) Dogs - On leash Equestrian - Riding Pedestrian - Walking/Hiking/Running Roller/Inline Skating Snow - Cross-country Skiing Snow - … Jul 17, 2020. Remove all graphics and images from the website so that only the text and links are visible. Come and join us for […] "Twas awesome. No matter which segment you choose to hike, the Fairfax Cross County Trail offers a fun and interesting way to explore the area. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Trail that is a collection of various trails that run across Fairfax County from the Potomac River near Great Falls in McLean, VA, to Occoquan Regional Park in Occoquan, VA. The Fairfax Cross County Trail, aka the CCT, connects over 40 miles of county parks and trails in Northern Virginia. Trails provide obvious benefits throughout the county. Fairfax County is an increasingly urbanized community. Muddy, Forest. It connects some of the major trails in the county. •Traveling the CCT is a beautiful way to see the variety of stream valleys in Fairfax County and a good opportunity to view a cross section of the county's topography and development. More About the Fairfax Cross County Trail. Near Occoquan, Virginia. Land Manager: Fairfax County, VA - Park Authority. There is a paved parking lot with 43 parking spaces. Most of the fair-weather stream crossings have stepping stones that are passable unless water levels are very high. This parkland serves many purposes, but one of the most important is to protect our streams. The official renaming of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail (GCCCT) took place in June 2014 after the Park Authority Board voted to rename the 40-mile trail in honor of the congressman. "It's all about connections," Kerr said. Some of it is stone dust. Fairfax County’s Cross County Trail is a 40-mile long trail that traverses the county, from the Potomac River in the north, to the Occoquan River in the south. A trail allowing you to experience the entire Fairfax County. Segment 8 covers 4 miles of paved and dirt surfaces from the Dulles Toll Road to Lawyer’s Road in Reston. Wildlife thrives on trail lands. Most of the trail is family-friendly, though fair weather stream crossings can be challenging for very young children. Aug 26, 2019. little glossy, but dry: Jun 8, 2019 @ 12:21pm. It begins at Occoquan Regional Park in the south, and ends at the Potomac River in the north. ", Much of Fairfax County's Cross County Trail lies within green, shaded stream valleys. Much of Fairfax County's Cross County Trail lies within green, shaded stream valleys. The Fairfax County Web site is being translated through "machine translation" powered by Google Translate. The trail begins at the Potomac River in the north and ends at the Occoquan River in the south. It covers a lot of territory, from Great Falls to the Occoquan, stitching together a number of parks. And sometimes, citizens blaze trails. Three … Off limits to developers, the county's stream valleys support biodiversity and wildlife. Birds (including rare raptors), deer, muskrat, fox and other critters abound. Cautions & Considerations. 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