Ashburn's walking and biking trails: the 45-mile W&OD and its Ashburn Road lot, the Potomac Heritage Trail at Bles and Bazil Newman parks, and short loops.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Sources: NOVA Parks’ W&OD Trail page, Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services Loudoun’s Trails and Waterways and park pages, and NOVA Parks’ Reservoir Park.

Ashburn sits on the paved W&OD Trail, which NOVA Parks says carries more than 2 million users a year, and on the Potomac River, where the county’s riverside parks carry a section of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Between the two are short natural-surface loops through wetlands and stream valleys. The W&OD is for walking, running, biking and skating; the county trails are natural surface, so wear proper shoes.

Who to call

  • NOVA Parks, W&OD Trail: 703-729-0596, WOD@nvrpa.org
  • Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services: 703-777-0343
  • Emergency on a trail: 911

The W&OD Trail

The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park is a paved trail on the old railroad bed, 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville, run by NOVA Parks, which says it serves more than 2 million users a year. A separate 32-mile gravel horse trail runs alongside parts of it. Hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, year-round.

Where to get on in and near Ashburn:

Access point Parking Notes
Ashburn Road 40-car NOVA Parks lot Opposite the Partlow Brothers Store, near Mile Marker 27.5
Trailside Park, 20375 Claiborne Parkway County park lot Playground and ball fields beside the trail
Belmont Ridge Road crossing None listed A busy road crossing; watch for traffic
Pacific Boulevard, Sterling NOVA Parks lot About 3 miles north of Dulles Airport, reached from Waxpool Road
Douglass Community Center, Leesburg Behind the center Off Sycolin Road

Construction: NOVA Parks warns of intermittent delays through spring 2028 while the Sterling Boulevard overpass is built. On school days, many children walk and bike to school on the trail; NOVA Parks asks riders to pass them with care. Rules for e-bikes and other electric devices are on the NOVA Parks page.

The Potomac Heritage Trail

The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail runs along the river through two Loudoun County parks on Ashburn’s northern edge:

  • Bles Park, 44830 Bles Park Drive, Ashburn. A 124-acre park: 30 acres of fields and a playground, and a 94-acre passive park with natural walking and hiking trails along the Potomac, a mountain bike trail and a canoe and kayak launch on Broad Run. Free parking.
  • Bazil Newman Riverfront Park, 44105 Heron Way, Lansdowne. More than 100 acres of passive parkland on the Potomac and Goose Creek, with the historic Elizabeth Mills canal locks, nature trails and a mountain bike trail. The Riverpoint Drive Trailhead, 43942 Riverpoint Drive, has free parking, restrooms and a kayak launch.

Short loops and stream valleys

Trail Where Length and surface
Heron Overlook Trail 20570 Heron Overlook Plaza, Ashburn About 1.5-mile natural-surface loop over tributaries and wetlands; free parking; mountain bikes and horses allowed
Broadlands Boardwalk 21920 Demott Drive, Broadlands 0.3-mile boardwalk loop around a wetland; no on-site parking
Broad Run Stream Valley Park Loudoun Reserve Drive, Ashburn 123 acres of natural-surface trails along Broad Run, open to mountain bikes; no on-site parking lot
Edgar Tillett Memorial Park to Beaverdam Reservoir 21561 Belmont Ridge Road A natural trail from the park to the reservoir and Goose Creek Point; map
Ashburn Park 43645 Partlow Road Nature trails along a creek; map

Reservoir Park at Beaverdam Reservoir. NOVA Parks and Loudoun Water’s Reservoir Park adds trails, waterfront boardwalks and a bridge on the 300-acre reservoir south of Ashburn. Trails open dawn to dusk; the entrance is through the Brambleton Community Park west baseball complex off Belmont Ridge Road.

Maps

Loudoun County publishes free trail maps for every park on the Avenza Maps app, with a how-to guide. PDF maps for each park are on the county’s trails page.

What this means for you

For a long ride or run, start at the Ashburn Road lot or Trailside Park and head either way on the W&OD. For a walk in the woods by the river, go to Bles Park or Bazil Newman. For a quick loop with small children, Heron Overlook or the Broadlands boardwalk. Dogs are welcome on a leash; see dog-friendly Ashburn. Related: parks and trails, getting around Ashburn and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I park for the W&OD Trail in Ashburn?

NOVA Parks runs a 40-car lot for trail users where the trail crosses Ashburn Road, opposite the Partlow Brothers Store, near Mile Marker 27.5. There is also parking at Trailside Park, 20375 Claiborne Parkway, and the Pacific Boulevard lot in Sterling.

What are the W&OD Trail hours?

5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, year-round, along all 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville, according to NOVA Parks.

Is there a trail along the Potomac River in Ashburn?

Yes. A section of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail runs through Bles Park, 44830 Bles Park Drive, and Bazil Newman Riverfront Park in Lansdowne, both Loudoun County parks with free parking.

Are there short walking loops in Ashburn?

Heron Overlook Park, 20570 Heron Overlook Plaza, has a natural-surface loop of about 1.5 miles through wetlands, and Broadlands Boardwalk Park has a 0.3-mile boardwalk loop. Both are free and open dawn to dusk.