One of my favorite things about the Mid-Atlantic area is the seemingly never-ending places to explore. And what better way to see them than from a bike trail. Besides the physical benefits of getting out on a bicycle, it’s the perfect way to view an area from a different perspective. One scenic bike trail that tops our list is the Mount Vernon Trail. You can’t beat the views of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial as you pedal along the trail on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. Besides the popular DC bike trails, there are other wonderful places nearby well-suited for an active day or overnight trip from the DC area. These include Maryland’s Eastern Shore and bike-friendly Lewes, Delaware. Here you can combine fun cycling routes with delicious local food and drink. So if you live in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and wonder Where are scenic bike trails near me? keep reading for our top picks throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Plus we include some favorite stops for coffee, a beautiful garden, and gelato!
Table of Contents
The Mount Vernon Trail Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail Virginia The C&O Canal Towpath Maryland's Eastern Shore Cape Henlopen State Park Lewes Delaware
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The Mount Vernon Trail
Next time you visit Washington, DC, consider hopping on a bike trail to view the sites from the Virginia side of the Potomac River! The Mount Vernon Trail is one of our favorite bike trails in the DC metro area, well-loved by locals and visitors. The 18-mile paved trail is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway National Park site. It runs from Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon Trail also connects to popular trails like the Rock Creek and Heritage Trails.
A favorite part of the trail is the section between Theodore Roosevelt Island and Old Town Alexandria (roughly 7 miles one way). Plan to get to the Theodore Roosevelt Island parking lot early on weekends, as the lot often fills up. If you haven’t been, the island is a great place to connect with nature, not far from the city. You can only enter the parking lot from the northbound side of the GW Parkway. We have also parked in Rosslyn and connected via the Custis Trail. 
You don’t have to travel far on the Mount Vernon Trail before the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument come into view. Take a few minutes to stop at the distinctive Navy Merchant Marine Memorial, then Gravelly Point to watch the airplanes take off just above your head! Follow the signs into Old Town Alexandria, where you can enjoy the water views, the historic Old Town Farmers’ Market if it's Saturday, and the award-winning gelato at Dolci Gelati. Plus there are plenty of restaurants in the area if you want a more substantial meal. Just remember to bring a lock for your bike if you plan to head inside.
You can pick up a rental bike in Old Town Alexandria, then cycle at your own pace to Mount Vernon. Admission to Mount Vernon is included; upgrade if you want to return to back to Alexandria via a narrated boat cruise.
Washington and Old Dominion Trail Virginia
The Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail in Virginia is a multi-use paved trail 45 miles long, stretching from Purcellville (mile marker 45) to Shirlington in Northern Virginia. There are so many ways to combine an energizing bike ride on a portion of the trail with great food, a cold beer, or even a visit to a botanical garden. Wondering how to access the W&OD trail by car? There are about a dozen places that offer varying size parking lots (some are weekend only) to access the trail. Check out the Friends of the Washington and Old Dominion Trail site for details. Because this trail is easily accessible throughout Northern Virginia, it is quite popular and often busy on weekends. Here’s two options to allow you to explore a portion of the trail.
The first is in Loudoun County, with several options for getting on and off the trail. The Purcellville Train Station, at mile marker 45, is a good place to start or end a ride. Nearby, the Tipped Cow Creamery is perfect for a cool treat on a warm day. Be sure to take a photo of the wine-themed Loudoun County LOVEwork sign. You will also find another LOVEwork around mile marker 34 in the quaint town of Leesburg, Virginia. It’s a great town for foodies and we often bike here and grab coffee at King Street Coffee. Or you can take a short ride up King Street to the amazing Cowbell Kitchen—you can work off that cinnamon bun on the trail. Just off the W&OD trail are several colorful murals, including one painted on the King Street Bridge and one of my favorites that depicts all the charming things about Leesburg. That one is located near the Liberty Street Parking Lot. Before you go, download the LoCo Ale Trail pocket guide with a list of breweries near the W&OD Trail. 
In nearby Fairfax County, there is an option to combine a bike ride with a stroll through a botanical garden. Hop on the bike trail in Reston and then take the connector trail (about 1 and a quarter miles each way) to the beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Note that bikes are not allowed in the garden, and there is a small fee to get in. Stretch your legs as you stroll and admire beautiful trees and seasonal blooms. It's also home to the one-of-a-kind Korean Bell Garden. Back in Reston, Bike Lane Brewing & Cafe is just off the trail.
The C&O Canal Towpath
For a longer bike ride, a trip on the C&O Canal towpath might be just the thing! This crushed stone path runs approximately 184 miles from Georgetown in Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland. It’s part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park and offers bike riders the chance to explore historic sites along the towpath. There are dozens of parking lots to access the C&O Canal towpath, but keep in mind that some of the smaller lots fill up quickly, especially in the spring and fall when the weather is optimal for biking. Be prepared for an occasional obstacle on the trail! The C&O Canal Explorer Mobile app has an itinerary builder if you want to plan out your ride with stops along the way.
Over the years we’ve biked on different parts of the trail between Georgetown and Harpers Ferry. One route idea is to start at Brunswick, Maryland and ride to historic Harpers Ferry. You can choose to stop in town and explore the sites (it’s hilly!) or keep going on the towpath. Or you can head south from Brunswick towards the Catoctin Creek Aqueduct. When you get back to Brunswick, take a short walk to Beans in the Belfry for coffee or a sandwich. We were excited to find this cute, casual spot in a restored church with several stained glass windows from the original church building.
Another option is to bike along the towpath into Georgetown, starting at one of the small lock parking areas in Maryland accessed from the Clara Barton Parkway. Once you get to Georgetown, pedal along the waterfront, taking in views of the Kennedy Center, then head to Baked and Wired for a pastry and coffee. Depending on the time of year, while in Georgetown you might see a replica of an original canal boat from the late 1800s. Canal boat rides are offered seasonally for a fee several times a day from Wednesday through Sunday. 
Maryland's Eastern Shore
Head east to the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland for a relaxing, overnight cycling getaway. In just over two hours from the DC area, discover small towns on the Chesapeake Bay known for Maryland crabs, unique shops, and friendly locals. Talbot County, home to St. Michaels, Easton, Oxford, and Tilghman Island offers a Bike Talbot Guide with maps for six trails, including the Cemetery Quest and the popular Oxford/St. Michaels Trail.
Our recent overnight trip gave us a chance to explore more of the popular biking routes. We rode about 23 miles over 2 days, spending the night at the Knapps Narrows Marina Inn, Tilghman Island. Our favorite view from two wheels was at the southern point of Tilghman Island, at the Black Walnut Point Natural Resources Management Area. Ospreys circled overhead watching their nest while we rested for a moment to enjoy views of the Chesapeake Bay. 
The biking “trails” on Maryland’s Eastern shore may not be for everyone. The trails in the guide follow along roads, such as Route 33, one of the main two-lane roads that connect St. Michaels and Tilghman Island. In this case, you are riding on a wide, bike-designated shoulder. On other parts of the route, like on the way to the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, the road was narrow with no shoulder. Locals are used to bike traffic in the area, as they gave us plenty of room when they passed. Even with little traffic, we still felt uneasy riding on a road with no shoulder.
We broke up our two days of bike riding with a few stops along the way. We found colorful murals, antique shops, the Tilghman Island Country Store, and enjoyed a casual, outdoor seafood lunch by the water at Lowes Wharf Marina Inn. Besides the Knapps Narrows Marina Inn on Tilghman Island, the Wylder Hotel looks like a fun place to stay. We explored the hotel grounds after our relaxing dinner on the deck at Tickler’s Crab Shack. St. Michaels offers more options for hotels and restaurants if you are looking for a bigger selection. Don't miss the chance to experience picking Maryland Crabs or a delicious crab cake sandwich! 
Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware
Another place perfect for a weekend biking adventure is Lewes, Delaware. Our favorite times to visit are spring and fall, with fewer crowds and mild temperatures. What makes Lewes a great place to bike? The city itself is recognized as a certified Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community and is also home to several bike trails.
From downtown Lewes, it's just a few miles to bike to Cape Henlopen State Park, where the Gordons Pond Trail starts at the Herring Point Parking Lot. The crushed stone trail offers forest and marsh views. Keep an eye out for one of the historic World War II observation towers in the distance (there is another one in Cape Henlopen State Park that you can climb). Other walking/biking paths scattered around the park for exploring. 
One place we recommend to stay for a biking getaway is the Dogfish Inn in downtown Lewes. The central location makes it an easy walk to restaurants and shops, and the Inn even has free beach cruiser bicycles available to guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Fuel up in the morning with coffee and an Ooey Gooey from Lewes Bake Shoppe and Notting Hill Coffee.
Outside of Cape Henlopen State Park, another popular local bike trail is the Junction & Breakwater Trail. It follows a former rail line for just under 6 miles and connects Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Expect it to be busy on the weekends. If you need to rent a bike, Seagreen Bicycle is conveniently located on the Junction & Breakwater Trail. From there, you can also access the Lewes to Georgetown trail. Other helpful tips and biking resources
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