Mount Vernon Trail (Roosevelt Island section)

The Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile (29 km) paved multi-use path that follows the Virginia bank of the Potomac River from Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, DC to George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. The section described here begins at the Theodore Roosevelt Island trailhead and runs about 6 miles to Old Town Alexandria, a walk of roughly 2.5 hours, while the full trail takes cyclists two to three hours. Total elevation gain is about 200 ft (61 m) over the whole length, so the route is easy and suitable for first-time hikers. Access is simple. Visitors can take the Metro to Rosslyn on the Blue, Orange or Silver lines and walk about 0.7 miles to the trail, and Capital Bikeshare docks stand at points along the route. Parking at the island lot off the northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway is limited. No permit or fee is needed for the trail itself. The surface is asphalt, with some boardwalk stretches and a few short rises, and it is shared with cyclists and runners. Shade is intermittent, with open sections beside the water and tree-lined portions near the parkway. Along the way hikers pass views across the river to the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Kennedy Center, then Gravelly Point beside Reagan National Airport, where planes pass low overhead, followed by Daingerfield Island and the Alexandria waterfront. Natural turnaround points include Gravelly Point, Daingerfield Island and Old Town Alexandria, each of which has transit or food options nearby. Water fountains are available at several parks but are usually turned off outside warm months, so carrying water is sensible. Sections near the river can flood after heavy rain, and winter ice can affect boardwalks. Walkers should keep to the right, and cyclists should wear helmets and signal when passing.