Happy Trails

One great way to stay in shape this summer is to take to the great outdoors for a hike, bike ride or walk. It feels great to be outside and you can recruit friends and family to come along with you.

Some popular trails in the Washington DC Metro area include The Capital Crescent Trail that goes from Georgetown to Silver Spring and the Mount Vernon Trail, an 18-mile long trail that follows the Potomac River to George Washington's home. However, there are some new trails in the area that you should try out this summer.

The Four Mile Run Trail extension opened in May. This three-quarter mile addition in northern Virginia creates a smooth connection between the Shirlington restaurant area and the South Arlington Trail that intersects the Mount Vernon Trail.

To give you something to look forward to: the highly anticipated Metropolitan Branch Trail is opening this fall. The MBT is a proposed 8-mile multi-use trail that goes from Silver Spring, Maryland to Union Station in DC. It will provide direct access to seven of Metro’s Red Line stations and connect to the Capital Crescent Trail. The first mile of this trail will open this fall.

So grab the kids, your neighbors and your dog and hit the trails! You will have such a good time, you will forget you are exercising. Make sure you bring your pedometer and heart rate monitor along to make sure you are working hard enough.

What are your favorite trails?