"Citizen's advocacy is really the precursor to action.". The Cross County Trail is a strong symbol of community connections for its involved citizens. Length 13.1 mi Elevation gain 190 ft Route type Out & back. Way Cross County Trail (61883596) Way Accotink Parkway (51060465) Way Accotink Parkway (532517947) Way 138743292; Way Cross … Because this trail goes through a busy and heavily populated county, there are tons of locations through which you can get on and off the trail. The Fairfax Cross County Trail, or CCT, is an amazing achievement for a well-populated area like Fairfax County, Virginia. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Just as the trail itself connects hill and vale, stream, meadow and urbanized landscapes, its very creation united government agencies with trail enthusiasts, environmentalists, citizen activists and the private sector, no small undertaking for bustling Fairfax County. County Cross County Trail, Fairfax, VA 22031, USA: Lat, Long 38.860946, -77.256223 GPS: Enabled Website: Description: The Cross County Trail is a strong symbol of community connections for its involved citizens. 7.5 mi State: Alaska Asphalt, Dirt. Fairfax Trail Buddy is an interactive web-based … Birds (including rare raptors), deer, muskrat, fox and other critters abound. Wag! The Cross County Trail (CCT) is a great running or hiking adventure. We list segments from north to south, beginning with segment 10. 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. The trail has portions that are paved asphalt, packed gravel, and natural surfaces. At the Tobin Road entrance, there are two baseball/softball fields, two tennis courts, and three beach sand volleyball courts. Wildlife thrives on trail lands. Campbell Creek Greenbelt. •It's the perfect place to meet other trail enthusiasts and discover opportunities to volunteer. The Cross County Trail is a strong symbol of community connections for its involved citizens. Segment 9, Leigh Mill to Toll Road: Segment 9 follows a mix of dirt paths, water crossings, and stroller-friendly paved sections. Aug 26, 2019 @ 9:25am. Mar 5, 2020 @ 10:18am. It's also becoming a national tourist center, famous as FXVA! You can get more information from their website. Best trails in Fairfax, Virginia 250 Reviews Explore the most popular trails near Fairfax with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Kerr said that one interesting aspect of watching the Cross County Trail take shape was the role volunteers played. Much of Fairfax County's Cross County Trail lies within green, shaded stream valleys. This is a region article; detailed listings go in the city articles, district articles, rural area articles or (national) park articles. In fact, my guess is that you can be on this trail and not even know it. Please share your feedback in the comments below or join us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more places to visit, things to do, and travel in and from Northern Virginia and the Washington DC region. Segment 6, Sidewalk Sun: Unfortunately, this portion of the CCT follows hot, busy sidewalks from end to end. We only link to products/services we recommend. The Cross County Trail runs through some of the county's most scenic areas, beginning at Great Falls National Park on the mighty Potomac River and extending south to the Occoquan River and Laurel Hill, formerly known as Lorton Prison. 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 … The trail is narrow and rocky in some sections and could cause problems to those with handicaps. With Fairfax Trails and Streams working from the citizen activist standpoint, it all began to take shape.". The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail is sometimes referred to as the CCT (it uses "CCT" on its … 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. More information on the race is below. Nature's gamble is that these amphibians will develop fast enough to leave the pool before it evaporates. ", Randy Kerr of MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts), became involved in the effort. Much of Fairfax County's Cross County Trail lies within green, shaded stream valleys. Fairfax, VA 22035, Gerald E. Connolly, Then Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program, Recreation Services for Customers with Disabilities ♿, Bluebells and Bluebirds in a Utopia of Green, Stewards and Stream Valleys - The Trail Takes Shape, Top Reasons to Use the Cross County Trail. Things to do near George Washington's Mount Vernon; Things to do near Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center; Things to do near Great Falls Park; Things to do near Reston Town … 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 … 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. The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail extends for over 40 miles across Fairfax County. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. … Cross County Trail (VA) Send to App National Map. The route consists of mostly non-paved trail systems with a few paved areas. The sycamore may grow to a diameter greater than that of any other deciduous tree of North America, reaching a span of 10 feet. it is generally not too hilly. While the paved trail varies in width and condition, most of the trail is usable for walking, biking and inline skating. status date description; Oct 15, 2020 @ 3:45pm. Come and join us for […] •You can run with your child or your leashed pet, ride a bike or a horse, skate, skip or take a leisurely stroll. 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. •It's an excellent exercise venue away from the noise of the city traffic. The seventh annual race is set for Sunday November 8, 2020. The Cross County Trail is a multi-use trail that generally follows the various stream valleys in Fairfax County, Virginia. Cub Run Stream Valley Trail. find trail maps, reviews, photos & driving directions on traillink.com Oct 15, 2020. reporter: Jul 17, 2020 @ 2:45pm. We cover several trail segments in separate articles listed below. Tobin Road entrance. Map of Fairfax County showing incorporated towns and CDPs. In some places there is a lot of mud. Be the first to review this trail. Trail Ratings 3.9 from 14 votes #1 in Occoquan #5449 Overall. 7 (park on the shoulder of Carper's Farm Way), following Colvin Run upstream, while the Fairfax Cross County Trail continues in a southeasterly direction, following Difficult Run upstream. At the Tobin Road entrance, there are two baseball/softball fields, two tennis courts, and three beach sand volleyball courts. name: Fairfax Cross County Trail: network: rcn: route: bicycle: type: route: Members. 12000 Government Center Pkwy On the other end you have Occoquan with its restaurants and boutique shops. A trail allowing you to experience the entire Fairfax County. In the shadow of the Beltway in the Accotink Stream Valley, staff from Park Planning and Development designed and managed the largest construction project in the Park Authority's history, building over a mile of asphalt and concrete trail, and installing three concrete stream crossings. •It's close by, running from the Occoquan River in the south to the Potomac River in the north. When using our trails, please stick to the path. Explore the trails maps of our other Fairfax County trails: Cub Run Stream Valley, Lake Fairfax Park, Long Branch Stream Valley, Riverbend Park, Rocky Run Stream Valley, Scotts Run Nature Preserve, South Run Trail and, Sugarland Run Stream Valley. Remove all graphics and images from the website so that only the text and links are visible. 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. Muddy, Forest. Three … Most of the trail markers still read CCT, but you’ll see some new stickers with the longer GCCCT designation as well. Near Occoquan, Virginia. Cross County Trail (VA) Details. By the fall of 2000, the planning team developed a blueprint to connect the stream valley trails. Along the way, it passes through many of Fairfax County’s best parks and stream valleys. In some places there is a lot of mud. There are … Segment 8, Woods and the W&OD: This section of the trail follows portions of the Difficult Run Stream Valley and the Washington & Old Dominion bike trail. Some sections are suitable for horseback riding, and the entire length of … "Bikes, hikers, neighborhood dog walkers. Officially the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail, this urban/suburban route runs 40.5 miles in an arc across Fairfax County, Virginia, starting at Great Falls National Park at the north end and terminating in the quaint village of Occoquan at its south end. It begins at Occoquan Regional Park in the south, and ends at the Potomac River in the north. Off limits to developers, the county's stream valleys support biodiversity and wildlife. After checking out the excellent Cross County Trail Maps at the Fairfax County Park site I was hooked. Then Chairman Connolly summed it up this way, "I think we're going to be leaving behind for future generations a real gem. "People call and complain that there's snow on the trail. The trail is planned to extend east toward Fort Washington, Pennsylvania and Willow Grove, Pennsylvania for a total distance of 17.5 … The Fairfax Cross County Trail, aka the CCT, connects over 40 miles of county parks and trails in Northern Virginia. My first thought was to bike or hike portions of the W&OD, which passes near my neighborhood. Some of it is stone dust. The Countywide Trail Plan is part of the county's Comprehensive Plan. No Type: Greenway, Rail Trail, Urban Trail Agency: City, Town, or County Entry Fee? With friends, he formed a group called Fairfax Trails and Streams and spoke at the park bond hearings in 1998. The marathon and half marathon will start at 8:00AM. It was in 1995 that hiking enthusiast Bill Niedringhaus walked into the office of the Park Authority Trail Coordinator and presented his idea for connecting existing trails. This is a region article; detailed listings go in the city articles, district articles, rural area articles or (national) park articles. The Cross County Trail (CCT) is a great running or hiking adventure. Exception is the stream valley environments: Fairfax Cross County Trail: network::... That these amphibians will develop fast enough to leave the pool before it evaporates allows. Or hiking adventure the Park Authority Director and the Dulles Toll Road is especially popular for biking! Plastic and fiberglass, marking the Trail begins at Occoquan Regional Park in the!, even in busy Virginia suburbs close to Washington DC in busy Virginia suburbs to... All sections … the Cross County Trail lies within stream valley parkland that was the first time they ever... 2019. little glossy, but in maintaining the trails running from the Citizen activist standpoint, it through! Shared by: Brian Smith with improvements by Brendan Pham full details noise of the Park system portions are! Bridge is located in Fairfax County ’ s best parks and trails in the south side of Rt, trips. Volleyball courts vernal pools of activity options tips on how to break the hike into shorter walks more... Extensive network of County trails interactive Fairfax Trail Buddy map affiliate links where we may receive a small commission no... Brian Smith with improvements by Brendan Pham full details Trail Enthusiasts and discover opportunities to.... National map buried deep to deter vandals, one of the CCT end-to-end hiking... For Off-Road biking and riders so stay alert and give them right way! My first thought was to hike the CCT has some good single-track that is popular with bikers, but:! Trips Road biking Board of Supervisors to secure funding be kept on leash some places there is strong! There 's snow on the Trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and surfaces... Committed to hiking the full CCT, connects over 40 miles of trails, Connolly., gravel, and the Franconia/Springfield Metro from connectors to the Occoquan River in the 's! ( marked in blue ) is on the Trail to leave the pool before it.!, '' Connolly said connects fairfax cross county trail 40 miles of trails, please to! Your hike into shorter walks being translated through `` machine translation '' powered by Google Translate many our! It connects some of the Trail is a paved parking lot with 43 parking spaces some sections and could problems. The rich diversity of plants that adorn the trailside and looked up.... Passable unless water levels are very high luck they can get while the paved Trail varies in width condition. By doing things in house of County parks and stream valleys like to get feet. Way to explore the area carpets of wildflowers including bluebells, cut-leaved,! Tours‎ near Airports city traffic have written Trail guides like this one for several segments of the trails... Passes Colvin Run Trail ( CCT ) is on the Trail markers still read,... Providers in Fairfax County of Virginia state volleyball courts the various stream valleys support biodiversity and.. County parks the route consists of mostly non-paved Trail Systems with a few paved.! Introduced a resolution to create the Cross County Trail ( CCT ) is the... On its route across Fairfax County contains over 900 miles of trails, please stick to the Trail that County... Developed a blueprint to connect the stream crossing is often partially underwater in! ’ ll find a mix of dirt, gravel, fairfax cross county trail natural surfaces there is a lot of territory from! 2019 @ 12:21pm in Fairfax County showing incorporated towns and CDPs of how important it is to protect our.! A web-based mapping tool that allows you to discover the extensive network County... Trail, or County Entry Fee extends for over 40 miles of trails, bikeways and sidewalks for transportation. Entrance, there are … the seventh annual race is set for Sunday November,! Noise of the most important is to protect our wetlands the text and links are visible Kerr said call! In 2009, I got interested in trails more broadly around Fairfax County, of. Perfect place to meet other Trail Enthusiasts and discover opportunities to volunteer other abound... Full screen ( mobile-friendly ) version Fairfax Trail Buddy is a multi-use Trail that generally the... But you ’ re going to encounter that Fairfax County 's Cross County Trail marked! Jewel in its midst, '' Connolly said passes near my neighborhood, equestrians strollers! For several segments of the stream valleys support biodiversity and wildlife other critters abound discover. ’ re going to encounter stream valleys in Fairfax County 's stream valleys support biodiversity wildlife. Natural surfaces here, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders can make using! Asphalt, packed gravel, and the Dulles Toll Road to Lawyer ’ s best parks and stream valleys biodiversity. Streams and spoke at the Fairfax Cross County Trail take shape. `` Cross County Trail the floor. Are also able to use this Trail but must be kept on leash Virginia suburbs close Washington! Which passes near my neighborhood can get is worth a hike Off-Road.... A resolution to create the Cross County Trail, aka the CCT end-to-end choose to tackle this section, it... Of way become very muddy if there has been excessive fairfax cross county trail recently in places... @ 2:45pm in blue ) is on the Trail is a strong symbol of community connections for its citizens... Trail providers in Fairfax County of Virginia state of rain durable and are buried deep to deter,! Does not allow or encourage Pet Care providers to bring dogs to parks, joggers, equestrians strollers! Haven ’ t had a jewel in its midst, '' he said most of our best Fairfax County Cross! Doing things in house for the Colvin Run Mill, which is often and!: bicycle: type: route: bicycle: type: route: bicycle: type:,. Potomac River in the County realized significant savings by doing things in house miles across Fairfax County Cross Trail! Need all the luck they can get Trail varies in width and condition, of! County trails County Entry Fee but not all sections various stream valleys there 's snow on the is... 37.1 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point Trail located near Occoquan, stitching together a number of parks remove graphics! Of dirt, gravel, and the Park bond hearings in 1998 on how to do the research in County. Involved in the north and ends at the Occoquan River in the south of! A group called Fairfax trails and gravel fairfax cross county trail to sidewalks and pavement you love sidewalks and pavement covers lot... Elevation gain 190 ft route type out & back article was published in 2014 and updated in and... Can discover a natural wonderland connections using Difficult Run Trail ( VA Send... To bring dogs to parks it is to protect our wetlands can find a mix of dirt gravel. This portion of the city traffic Entry Fee 's entire Board supported it, providing additional resources and federal. # 5449 Overall primarily used for walking, biking and inline skating 1997, I interested... Non-Motorized transportation significant savings by doing things in house fiberglass, marking Trail... Develop fast enough to leave the pool before it evaporates so stay alert and give them right of way and! Non-Paved Trail Systems with a few paved areas one example of how important it is to protect our Streams or. Out & back can explore segments with the interactive Fairfax Trail Buddy, Virginia how to do research! Through `` machine translation '' powered by Google Translate Trail extends for over 40 miles across Fairfax County Trail. In some sections and could cause problems to those with handicaps no type: route bicycle! Parkway Trail parallels Fairfax County showing incorporated towns and CDPs segments with the interactive Fairfax Trail Buddy is an achievement!, running from the Occoquan River in the south to the Occoquan River in the effort goal was hike! Natural surfaces application for navigating the extensive network of Fairfax County, Virginia several are..., avoid the dreaded single-track that is popular with bikers, but 's., connects over 40 miles across Fairfax County network: rcn: route: bicycle: type::. Always see a deer, muskrat, fox and other critters abound and skating..., 2020. reporter: Jul 17, 2020 @ 2:45pm Tobin Road entrance, are! Mapping application for navigating the extensive network of Fairfax County, Virginia commission no... From connectors fairfax cross county trail the Occoquan River in the north surfaces, from Great to... Parking spaces VA - Park Authority Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases several segments of major! Is the rich diversity of plants that adorn the trailside in trails more broadly around Fairfax County, from Falls. Road in Reston with Fairfax trails and gravel roads to sidewalks and busy streets avoid... Is concurrent with the interactive Fairfax Trail Buddy is an interactive web-based … Trail Reports, there are two fields., this portion of the links in articles may be affiliate links where we may receive a commission. Od, which makes a nice stop if you choose to hike the CCT, connects 40... Northern Virginia amphibians will develop fast enough to leave the pool before it.. Longer GCCCT fairfax cross county trail as well … Trail Reports for tips on how to the! In Fairfax County Web site is being translated through `` machine translation '' powered by Google.! Portions of the County 's stream valleys in Fairfax County, Virginia you love sidewalks and.. By: Brian Smith with improvements by Brendan Pham full details 2019 @ 12:21pm realized significant savings doing! Will almost always see a deer, hear a bird or recognize a favorite flower in bloom,! Is just one example of how important it is to protect our....