As I was brainstorming different runs to include on this website, I realized there was a certain interconnectedness between all of them. Pretty much every run was connected to several others. I even made a rough diagram of all the different relations between runs:
Rough sketch of route connections
What I realized was that all these runs intermingled in some ways, leading to various routes that took you to the same place. However, while an abundance of variety is a good thing, it can be overwhelming and hard to discern just exactly what trail is for what.
Here, I intend on doing exactly that: provide a brief synopsis of every trail featured on this website- kind of like a quick guide so you know what’s what.
16th Street Run: Starts at Sidwell and ends at the Washington Monument. The majority of it is going south on 16th Street. Lots of cool sights on the way. Almost all road running.
Battery Kemble: Starting from Sidwell, this trail goes south and ends at the C&O towpath. Pretty hilly but very good footing on this trail. Also quite removed from downtown.
Dumbarton Loop: A sprawling 8-mile loop around Northwest DC. Very nice scenery but hilly and challenging.
Fort Reno: A big park in Tenleytown that serves as a workout spot. Features a 1000m loop and a super steep hill.
Foxhall: A park in Wesley Heights that features a long steady incline and an abrupt giant hill. Great for hill workouts but not very accessible.
Glover Archbold: Starts at Sidwell and ends at the Lincoln. The majority of it is southbound in heavily wooded trails. Excellent all-around run.
Glover/BK Connection: A 0.8-mile connection between Glover Archbold and Battery Kemble.
Memorial Loop: A loop around the reflecting pool and Tidal Basin, featuring many of DC’s memorials.
Museum Loop: A loop around the National Mall, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol featuring many of DC’s museums.
Rock Creek North: Starting from Sidwell, this trail goes northbound through the entirety of Rock Creek Park and ends at a small park in Maryland. Almost exclusively on trails and in woods and very long, but can be muddy.
Rock Creek South: Starting from Sidwell, this trail goes southbound through Rock Creek Park and ends at the Lincoln Memorial. Lots of flat concrete for fast running.
Soapstone Loop: Don’t do this trail.
Tregaron Loop: A modest loop in Cleveland Park that is a combination of road running and trail running. No major hills. Good for easy shakeout running.
Zoo Loop: A loop in Woodley Park that goes through the Smithsonian Zoo. Fairly hilly since the zoo is built on a hill. Also, you get to see the zoo.