Reston is known for many things--contemporary homes, village centers, proximity to Washington, DC. But one of its most fabulous features comes as a surprise to many people who move here, and that's the 55 miles of paths around Reston.
Reston Association maintains all 55 miles of paths that cover every neighborhood in Reston. You can see all the trails on the Reston VA map on the Reston Association website, or use Fairfax County's interactive map to set your route before you head out. If you don't want to check out the maps, try some of my favorite walks instead.
- Lake Anne to Town Center, North Reston. This 1.5 miles walk takes you through two of Reston's original neighborhoods--Coleson Cluster and Hickory Cluster.
- Tall Oaks to Lake Fairfax Park, North Reston. This is about a 2-mile loop. Park at Tall Oaks Village Center, cross under the underpass and head toward the wooden bridge. When you hit a dirt trailhead, take a left and follow the trail into Lake Fairfax Park. You'll cross a little creek and then the path opens to what is a large loop. Go left or right and just follow it around. It's a gorgeous walk in the woods! Just be careful--mountain bikers train here. They're very courteous, but they're also usually going pretty fast!
- Walker Nature Education Center and Glade, South Reston. There are many options for a walk from here, and the staff at the Nature Center will be happy to give you some suggestions depending on how far you want to walk. There is one short loop (probably ½ mile), or you can venture off on the RA path that follows Glade. Whatever you choose, you will feel like you are miles from civilization. It's a wonderful place to recharge.
- Lake Thoreau Loop, South Reston. This loop is just over 2 miles and circles around charming Lake Thoreau and past the Reston Regional Golf Course. Begin and end your loop at South Lakes Village with a coffee or delicious lunch.
- North Point Loop, North Reston. This is a 4-mile loop for those who want a little more exercise. I recommend starting at Lake Newport pool. These trails take you through several charming neighborhoods, and you'll notice an abundance of RA pools and tennis courts (in fact, if you do this in the summer, pop into one of the pools for a refreshing dip).
Don't limit yourself to these walks though--you really can get anywhere you need or want to go in Reston on foot, and it's always fun to discover a new trail and see where it takes you.
