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Level: Beginner
Length: 4 mi (6.4 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: +749/ -568 ft
Total: 209 riders
Mountain Biking Colvin Run Trail
#17 of 300 mountain bike trails in Virginia
In the heart of Reston, this trail has something for everyone. Made up of mostly wide singletrack, it can be ridden as a four mile (one way) out-and-back trail or you can link up with the Difficult Run Trail and stretch it all the way to the Potomac River in Great Falls Park. The trail can also be done as a ten mile loop with a few miles along Difficult Run and the W&OD trail.
First added by goclipless on Aug 1, 2004. Last updated Apr 30, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Start in the Skate Nation parking lot (back left-hand corner) off of Michael Faraday Court in Reston. To get there take the Dulles Toll Road to exit for Whiele Avenue. Go North on Whiele and make a right onto Sunset Hills Road. Make the first left onto Michael Faraday Court. Trailhead is at the end of the street.
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After a week of thunderstorms, there are a lot of down trees, some new water ruts and roots are more exposed. It was the day after the last rain so there was a little mud but I didn't feel as though I was tearing up the trial. Also, it looks like camping season has started. Still, I have a good ride.
Thank |Great trail system that ties in with Lake Fairfax and Difficult run.
Thank |It's a fantastic, well maintained beginner trail.
Thank |Rode this trail (doubletrack) on my way to Difficult Run coming from Lake Fairfax. It's really nothing special but it would be great for a beginner to grow some legs.
Thank |Does anyone know where the dirt jumps are?
Thank |Has a few quick downhill sections that are rather rewarding. Lots of people ride the loop-don't know why; everything south of the toll road is horrifyingly boring. There are numerous side trails that offer unique challenges. Do watch out for joggers and dog-walkers.
Thank |Has a few quick downhill sections that are rather rewarding. Lots of people ride the loop-don't know why; everything south of the toll road is horrifyingly boring. There are numerous side trails that offer unique challenges. Do watch out for joggers and dog-walkers.
Thank |I work across Sunset Hills Road and ride this a couple times every week. It has enough balance that beginners can have a fun time and there is challenge for intermediates if you go looking for it.
The trailhead at the skating rink has a sizable riding community. Every time I go to ride, there are a handful of people getting ready to set out.
Thank |Rode this trail last year with a buddy. Not a bad setup at all. If your looking for a shorter ride or a more "relaxed" ride this is an ideal trail. As of now 1/11/10 the trail is still pretty icy and lots of snow everywhere. Difficult to keep traction on most parts which makes for a sketchy ride but thats where the fun lies! Although, in my opinion best to just wait for the ice and snow to melt away but if your up for that type of terrain go for it while it lasts. All in all a good trail for bikers of all levels as previously stated.
Thank |I am a complete begginer when it come to mountain biking but this trail offered me a challenge without being so tough that i didnt want to ride it again. There are a few descents and uphills that are challenging but that is most likely because i am not riding an "all mountain" or full off road bike. I ride a GT transeo 3.0 which is obviously not an offroad bike but it can handle this trail. Would it be easier and a little more fun on a full suspention bike? Yes, but it is not impossible on other style bikes.
Thank |This trail was a pleasant surprise. I had little in the way of expectations but there turned out to be some fine singletrack. It's a little wide and you can't go far without running back into suburbia, but much of the trail has some great flow and just enough obstacles to hold interest. I would almost call it a beginner trail, but there's a couple downhills that are just steep/rutted enough to spook a noob. My 9-year old son did a couple short walks, but other than that he stayed in the saddle the whole time. Even though mostly easy, you can make it harder by pushing the speed and taking the tougher(rootier/rockier) line on the climbs.
Thank |I was in town for a week and brought my bike along to get out of the hotel with. Found the Colvin Run on Singletracks and headed out for a look-see. There are at least five POSTED signs at the entrance behind the skating rink, not sure if I had found the right place or not but, being the naughty chap that I am, I headed off down the trail anyway. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, despite its location in the midst of urban and industrial sprawl, the trail and surrounding woods are relatively secluded and you could almost fool yourself into thinking you were in the wilderness. Nothing overly challenging but it was sure as hell a lot more fun than sitting in the hotel watching Maury. Get out there!
Thank |I am new to mt biking, just started this year, and have a single speed to learn on. I've been to Wakefield and to Difficult Run and this one is my favorite place to keep learning. Not too hard of climbs and great downhills without too many rocks or roots. I totally bit my first time out at the mouth of the trail leaving the skating rink but the trail is really fun after that for a novice. My boyfriend is a highly skilled biker and he rides this trail every night after work he can. He says it get better everytime!
Thank |I have ridden this trail 4 or 5 times in the past couple of months. I must say it is more fun with every ride. As noted in other reviews, there is something for everyone. Whether new to MTB or a veteran, you will have a great time..
Thank |Great Trail, gonna add to one of my usual trails.
Thank |I've been riding this trail for over 10 years, and its still a blast! there are plenty of roots that over the years have become more exposed giving added technical difficulty. there are plenty of rooty and rocky downhills, and climbs... This trail gives you everything from smooth wide fast singletrack, to tight narrow singletrack... rock gardens, and some really great (if somewhat short) downhills. I would reccomend NOT following the loop, and just riding the trail back in the opposite direction. the reason for this is that the CCT trail is flat, and very easy to ride. and the W&OD is paved... you might lose 2 miles of riding, but in my opinion, riding this trail as an out and back is a better workout and more fun than riding the loop.
Thank |This is my first time coming to an actual trail and riding for a certain amount of time.. I am definately going to have to get back into shape before i can complete this one in one trip.
Thank |I think this trail is more than for beginners. I started out from Michael Fariday drive and the first mile was not a beginner route. Rocks and Roots to ride over and the fact that we had a lot of rain last night made this part of the trail more difficult. I took it over to difficult run and back around with trails marked as CT. I ended up back on the W&OD making my loop about a 10 mile ride. Got a little lost. ( I really need a GPS ). A fun ride never the less.
Thank |Nice after wor/quick run trail. There are some nice hills/decents but nothing too hard. There legal is parking right down the road at the W&OD trail or you can risk it near the trail.
Thank |Colvin Run is a decent trail in a great location. It is not overly challenging but a pretty fun ride nonetheless, especially when cold/ice make it a little more challenging and cut down the number of dog walkers. Don't be prepared for an epic ride, but you can (easily) get to the difficult run trail and ride it into Great Falls, which though a little muddy and overused is a beautiful trail near the water. Colvin Run also links to the county connector trail on the other side of the W&OD which you can ride all the way to Wakefield and an 'epic ride' - for Northern Virginia anyways.
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