The Walking Trails of Reston

Yes, I know it's April Fools Day, but really this is no joke--spring is finally coming to Reston. After the snow storm we had last Tuesday, though, I was beginning to wonder. But the weather people say winter is over, and I choose to believe them. I feel so confident, that today I'm going to tell you all about the walking trails of Reston.

Reston Association maintains 55 miles of foot paths that cover every neighborhood in Reston, and they are wonderful. (And, just in case Mother Nature decides to grace us with more snow, RA does a fantastic job of plowing the paths so you can still use them.) Fairfax County has a wonderful interactive map of all the paths so that you can plan your route before you head out. Wandering the RA paths is one of the best ways to get to know both North and South Reston. I thought I'd share a few of my favorite walks about town--but don't stop with these.

• Town Center to Lake Anne, North Reston. This walk is just shy of 1.5 miles and winds through a few of North Reston's original neighborhoods--Coleson Cluster and Hickory Woods. It's fun to have brunch at Town Center than wander down to Lake Anne to shop at the Farmer's Market (starting in early May and going through November).
• Lake Thoreau Loop, South Reston. This loop is just over 2 miles and circles around charming Lake Thoreau (where I guarantee you'll decide you want to live) and past the Reston Regional Golf Course. Begin and end your loop at South Lakes Village with a coffee or delicious lunch.
• Walker Nature Education Center and Glade, South Reston. There are many options for a walk from here. From the Center, follow the trailhead and see where it takes you! There is a short loop (probably 1⁄2 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.
• North Point Loop, North Reston. This is a 4 mile loop for those who want a little more exercise. This trail is great because it really gives you a sense of the North Point community. 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). After your brisk walk, cross the street over to North Point Village for coffee, ice cream, or a hearty lunch!
• Tall Oaks to Lake Fairfax Park, North Reston. I'm not entirely sure how long this walk is, but the park loop takes about 1⁄2 hour--longer if you're with a dog who needs to investigate all the great smells. 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!

The trails of Reston are, in my opinion, one of the greatest features of our community. You really can get anywhere you need or want to go on foot, and it's always fun to discover a new trail and see where it takes you. I'm most often on the trails around Lake Anne--wave if you see me!