Laurel Hill

Open in the App

Fairfax County, VA, US

Show 6 more photos

Route Overview

Best Bike Rides DC

Mountain Bike Routes

10 mi.

588 ft.

Laurel Hill is a popular mountain biking destination along the southern fringes of Fairfax County, VA. Once a high security penitentiary for the District of Columbia, Laurel Hill is now a thriving recreation area in Northern Virginia. The trails at Laurel Hill are suitable for riders of all skill levels.

Send to Device Advanced Export View Standard Route (with cuesheet)

Route Details

Laurel Hill sits on the grounds of the old Lorton Penitentiary. Today, the area has been converted to parkland and is seeing a revitalization. Many of the old correctional facility strutcures are being re-purposed. A thriving @poi[Arts Center](6577390), @poi[condominiums](6577413) and retail will soon grace the landscape. For our benefit, however, the [Mid-Atlantic Off-road Enthusisats](http://www.more-mtb.org) have build over 10 miles of trails suitable for riders of all levels.

# Route

* There are three alternate parking points. The @poi[Giles Run trailhead](6577385), the @poi[Equestrian Center](6577388) and @poi[Barret House](6577387). Additional parking is also available on the grounds of the @poi[Workhouse Arts Center](6577390).
* Laurel Hill consists of 5 connected loops (The Pasture Loop, @slice[The Slaughterhouse](d,6770.72,7584.69) Loop, @slice[The Powerhouse Loop](d,11837.39,12632.35), The Dairy Loop, @slice[The Apple Orcahrd Loop](d,12984.1,15522.75) and the @slice[Giles Run Trail](d,686.81,2873.08).
* All can be accessed from the @poi[Cross County Trail (CCT)](6577503)
#

# Notes

* Along the ride you will see some remnants of the old penitentiary, inlcuding what used to be a working dairy farm and an old slaughterhouse
* The pasture and dairy loop trails are flanked by berry bushes; in the summer you'll often run into people filling baskets with the sweet fruit
* You'll see lots of rabbits, snakes and deer (especially at dusk) along the trail
* Laurel Hill is best ridden in the fall and winter and holds up remarkably well after periods of heavy rain (@slice[Giles Run Trail](d,686.81,2873.08) is the exception)
* During the summer months be sure to spray yourself with bug repellent and throughly check yourself for ticks after every ride.
* Laurel Hill can be easily combined with other regional trails, including Meadowood, Lake Accotinck, Wakefield Park, Burke Lake and Fountainhead Regional Park (including the BROT)

Laurel Hill

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Best Bike Rides DC

Meadowood Tour

The Alexandria Loop

PWFP Scenic Loop

Locust Shade Tour

Sign Up

Share link

Share via email

Embedded widget

Get the Ride with GPS mobile app!