PWFP Scenic Loop

Route Details

[Prince William Forest Park](https://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm) is preserved as one of the few remaining piedmont forest ecosystems in the National Park Service. Within its 18,000 acres are 35 miles of hiking trails, hundreds of acres open to primitive camping, a scenic paved road looping through the park (incidentally named Scenic Drive Road), several gravel roads, and a plethora of wildlife and plant life for city folks to enjoy.

The park is a haven for road cycling and even offers off-road riders with several miles of dirt and gravel roads, including a short section of singletrack built by IMBA. The loops at Prince William Forest Park are documented in detail in both [**Best Bike Rides Washington DC**](http://www.amazon.com/Best-Bike-Rides-Washington-Recreational/dp/0762780819/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408467403&sr=8-1&keywords=Best+Bike+Rides+DC) and [**Mountain Biking the Washington DC/Baltimore Area**](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1493006010/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1493006010&linkCode=as2&tag=fr02-20&linkId=Q4W6QVZJJSYGTRD6).

The route detailed here will take you along the park's sceninc drive. Most riders opt to do several loops to increase their mileage.

# Route

* You can start the route form several points within the park.
* There are several parking areas (9) along the scenic loop, the most popular is "D" where the one way section of traffic starts.
* For this loop, park at the far end lot along the @poi[Pine Grove Picnic Area](4092803), it will maximize your riding ditance.
* The scenic loop is very easy to follow, it is shapped like a lollipop. From the starting point just turn right to enter the scenic loop. Around @point[mile marker 2.2](d,3628.41) you'll have to decide if you want to go clockwise or counterclockwise. My preference is to follow the road in a counter-clockwise direction, you'll be treated to @slice[a great downhill](d,13115.73,17414.77).

# Additional Details

* There is a fee to use the park, purchase it at the @poi[Visitor Center](4092802).
* If you have a gravel worthy bike you can extend your ride by riding the several gravel roads within the park.
* This ride is documented in detail in [Best Bike Rides DC](http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&index=books&keywords=9780762780815&linkCode=ur2&tag=fr02-20&linkId=Q3XHWJVQNRORXP2I).
* A Gravel/Mountain bike version of this ride is documented in detail in [Mountain Biking the Washington DC/Baltimore Area](http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Biking-Washington-D-C-Baltimore/dp/1493006010/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432056896&sr=8-1&keywords=Martin+Fernandez+Mountain).
* More details available at [BestRidesDC.com](http://www.bestridesdc.com/venue/prince-william-forest-park-2/#13/38.5871/-77.3837).

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PWFP Scenic Loop

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