Anacostia Climbs and Regional Trail Exploration

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Washington, DC, US

Route Overview

Rudi Riet

Road Rides, short to long - and some gravel, too!

70 mi.

3,348 ft.

A 70 mile ride that takes in some scenic and challenging grades in Anacostia, an artisanal coffee house in Hyattsville, and the best of many multi-use paths that link communities in the greater DC area.

Route verified and modified 12/2023.

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Route Details

This 70 mile route takes in one of the lesser-known gems of riding in DC - the hills of Anacostia - as well as a cyclist-friendly artisan coffee roaster in the arts community of Hyattsville, Maryland, and six of the best multi-use paths in the DC area: Anacostia Rivewalk Trail, Marvin Gaye Trail, Anacostia River Heritage Trail, Sligo Creek Trail, Matthew Henson Trail, and Rock Creek Park trail.

The ride starts and ends at East Potomac Park - a.k.a. Hains Point, a very popular riding circuit for DC cyclists. There are multiple places to park here, and the area is easily accessed via bicycle if driving to the ride start isn't preferable. This ride start also has restrooms and water fountains for any last-minute needs.

From East Potomac Park, you'll pass DC's iconic fish market, the lesser known Titanic Memorial, Nationals Park, Yards Park, and the DC Navy Yard before crossing the 11th Street Bridge to historic Anacostia.

(Note: there will be times when the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail through the Navy Yard is closed - either after hours, or during times of heightened security at military bases. If this is the case, you can ride around the periphery of the base: north on 4th Street SE, take a right on M Street SE, then a right on 11th Street SE.)

Once in Anacostia, look out for The Big Chair, a local landmark for east-of-the-river residents. After marveling at the chair (and it *is* big), get your climbing gears in order, as you'll head up to some of the highest terrain in the District of Columbia on Morris Street SE, as you pass historic houses and neighborhoods en route to Cedar Hill Cemetery and @poi[its scenic, serene, yet challenging hills](1930214). The climb to the top is almost a kilometer in length, so be prepared to set in for a bit of ascent.

Next up is a traverse through @slice[Fort Davis and Fort Dupont Parks](d,15757.17,18374.5), which are lovely swaths of nature in an otherwise urban setting, providing needed shade and a lovely descent (pavement conditions depending). After a brief, swooping traverse of the Capitol View neighborhood, you'll turn onto the Marvin Gaye Trail which leads to the DC-Maryland border. A gradual ascent to the Cheverly and Bladensburg neighborhoods has some of the only high-traffic roads on this route - sadly unavoidable in this area, but mercifully brief in duration and safe for riding.

You'll soon arrive at the current terminus of the Anacostia River Heritage Trail, riding north to its intersection with the Northwest Branch Trail into Hyattsville. Leaving the trail briefly, it's time for a needed rest stop at @poi[Vigilante Coffee](1930176), a cyclist-friendly coffee roaster with almost every food or drink one could want. If needing bike-related things, @poi[Arrow Bicycle](1930213) is just around the corner from the coffeehouse.

Returning to the trail, head northwest to the intersection with Sligo Creek Trail. This trail - and the associated parkway, which offers better riding on crowded days and weekends - will be your route for the next 8 miles. With ample shade and available restrooms and water, you'll likely encounter fellow cyclists, runners, and wildlife along the verdant landscape. While you are climbing, the grade is so shallow that it won't be noticed. Note that this trail crosses a few major thoroughfares, and that you may need to call for a crossing signal if traffic is really heavy.

At Wheaton Regional Park (great for filling a bidon or using the WC), you'll emerge from a trail onto the thrilling descent of Kemp Mill Road. After a bit more neighborhood traversing, you'll end up on the lovely, boardwalk-laden @slice[Matthew Henson Trail](d,62512.5,65956.3) as you head west toward Rock Creek. Emerging from the Henson Trail, you'll swoop through rolling neighborhood roads (with multiple food options near mile 44), eventually riding toward Lake Bernard Frank and the northern terminus of the Rock Creek Trail.

Rock Creek Trail is smooth, scenic, and (at this northern point) uncrowded. Stop along the way to @poi[take in the quiet along Rock Creek](1930216) (watch out for poison ivy if you leave the beaten path), remembering you are only a short distance from multi-lane highways and dense, urban landscapes. The quiet is soothing.

Eventually, you'll leave the multi-use path and get back on the road: Dewey Road, to Garrett Park Road, to @slice[Beach Drive](d,81926.81,89867.36). Beach Drive is one of the major playgrounds for DC and Montgomery County cyclists, with low traffic volume, nice shade, and portions that are closed to motor traffic on weekends and holidays. Just before the DC line, take advantage of @poi[Norman's Farm Market](1930179) (May thru November) for fresh, in-season fruit - peach season is especially wonderful for cyclists.

Just after re-entering the District boundary, we veer off of Beach Drive via the newly-paved (and closed to motor vehicle traffic) Bingham Road to the more hilly but scenic route of Oregon Avenue NW. This road was recently repaved until the boundary with Rock Creek Park at Military Road and leads directly into the popular @slice[Ridge Road](d,96554.09,99282.28) - watch for some rough pavement once in the park (due for a refresh soon). Be prepared for a short-yet-technical descent at mile 61 - don't overcook the turns, which decrease in radius (i.e. get tighter) as they progress.

At the bottom of Ridge Road, a quick left-right chicane brings you back onto the @slice[Rock Creek Trail](d,99454.3,106689.42), which will be followed until just past the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. After passing popular sand volleyball courts and passing under two busy bridges, you'll be deposited onto Ohio Drive SW, past the Tidal Basin, for the remaining mile to the East Potomac Park tennis center.

Points of Note:

* [Vigilante Coffee](http://vigilantecoffee.com/)
* [Arrow Bicycle](http://arrowbicycle.com/)
* [Norman's Farm Market](http://www.normansfarmmarket.com/chevy-chase)

# More resources

Contact local bike clubs, such as [Potomac Pedalers](http://www.potomacpedalers.org), for current route conditions and tips. Trail and road conditions in any parks within DC can be found at the [National Park Service's website](http://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm).

# Important Reminders

Note that many outdoor water fountains will be shut off between November and April. Construction can cause detours, both on streets and on the multi-use paths. As of 2021 the section of Beach Drive within the District of Columbia is closed to all motor vechicle, though there are times when it will be open to through traffic - consult the National Park Service's [Rock Creek Park alerts website](http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) for the latest information.

Multi-use paths can be crowded on weekends, and proper trail etiquette is the best approach to keeping the peace and enjoying your ride.

Parking at East Potomac Park is best done at a lot other than the tennis center, though the tennis center is used as the starting point due to its central location. Alternate lots are noted on the map.

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Anacostia Climbs and Regional Trail Exploration

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