Fairfax County’s Cross County Trail: The 40-Mile Greenway Locals Love
Why This Trail Matters
Stretching 40.5 rugged, river-hugging miles from Great Falls Park on the Potomac to Occoquan Regional Park on the county’s far southern edge, the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail (CCT) links more than a dozen stream valleys, parks, and neighborhoods into one continuous ribbon of adventure. Whether you trail-run in Reston before work or bike-pack the full route over a weekend, the CCT turns “living in Fairfax” into “living outside.” (Fairfax County, TrailLink)
Local angle: If you own—or hope to own—a home in Reston, Oakton, or anywhere the CCT passes, you’re essentially buying front-row seats to Fairfax’s backyard playground. That access routinely shows up as a selling point in listings and keeps demand for nearby properties resilient even in slower markets. (Fairfax Connection)
Fast Facts at a Glance
Length: 40.5 miles
Elevation gain: ≈1,300 ft total (Hiiker)
Surface mix: Natural single-track, crushed gravel, boardwalk, asphalt, and a few sidewalk connectors (TrailLink)
Use-cases: Hiking, trail-running, gravel / mountain biking, horseback riding (north section) (Reston Paths)
Created: 2001–2004; renamed for Rep. Gerry Connolly in 2014 (Wikipedia, MORE-MTB)
Wayfinding: Green CCT medallions every ½ mile, plus mileposts counting south-to-north
A Section-by-Section Guide
1. Great Falls Park → Lake Fairfax (Miles 0–10)
The CCT launches beside the roar of the Potomac, ducks under Riverside Drive, then dives into the Difficult Run Stream Valley—a fern-sheeted gorge that feels lifted from Jurassic Park. High bluffs drop to creek-side single-track; expect shallow fords after heavy rain. Detour: Colvin Run Mill for coffee and stone-ground cornmeal pancakes. (MORE-MTB, Fairfax County)
2. Lake Fairfax → Lawyers Road (Miles 10–16)
Rolling switchbacks weave past Lake Fairfax’s carousel and waterpark before climbing toward Reston. Locals often park at the dirt pull-off on Lawyers Road near Raccoon Ridge Court—a perfect out-and-back launch pad that trades traffic noise for wind-in-the-pines within 200 yards. (AllTrails.com)
3. Oak Marr Rec Center → I-66 (Miles 16–23)
Through Oakton the trail broadens; hoofprints appear as bridle paths braid the main corridor. Keep eyes peeled for grazing horses beyond split-rail fences—a surreal pastoral break inside suburbia. After I-66 the route meets Accotink Creek, a waterside lane that stays shaded even in July. (Reston Paths, AllTrails.com)
4. Wakefield Park → Lake Accotink (Miles 23–30)
This is gravel-bike heaven: crushed limestone, gentle grades, picnic groves, and restrooms every few miles. Families often stop at Lake Accotink’s floating boardwalk to spot herons and rent pedal boats. Weekends get lively—arrive early for parking. (Fairfax County)
5. Pohick Stream Valley → Laurel Hill (Miles 30–37)
South of the Franconia-Springfield Parkway, asphalt slices through forest tunnels before popping out beside the historic Lorton Workhouse Arts Center—a former prison turned gallery hub. Plan a latte or art-show pit stop. (MORE-MTB, Fairfax County)
6. Occoquan Regional Park (Miles 37–40.5)
The final push kisses tidal wetlands alive with osprey, then spills onto the Occoquan River esplanade—complete with kayak rentals and dockside BBQ. Snap your finish-line selfie under the giant brick beehive kilns, relics of the Civil War-era brickworks. (The Town of Occoquan)
History in a Hurry
Conceived in the late 1990s as Fairfax’s answer to the W&OD Trail, the CCT became the Park Authority’s largest build-out ever, stitching together public land, easements, and even reclaimed prison property at Lorton. When Congressman Gerry Connolly—then Board of Supervisors Chair—secured funding for bridges and signage, residents nicknamed the corridor “Gerry’s Greenway.” In 2014 the moniker became official. Today the trail anchors the county’s commitment to reserving 10 % of land for parks. (The Washington Post, MORE-MTB)
What the CCT Means for Reston, Herndon, and Nearby Homeowners
Lifestyle Premium: National studies tie greenway proximity to a 5–10 % property-value bump. Fairfax appraisers quietly point to similar comps along Difficult Run.
Commute Alternatives: Cycle from Reston to Tysons Corner largely off-road, then jump the Silver Line Metro—a multi-modal dream for eco-minded buyers.
Community Vibe: Weekend volunteer trail-clears, Ride With GPS social rides, and clean-up days double as networking mixers—great for newcomers.
Future Connectivity: County planners aim to link the CCT to the W&OD at Hunter Mill and the Mount Vernon Trail via Fort Belvoir, creating a 70-mile loop that will only raise demand for trail-adjacent addresses. (Fairfax Connection)
Takeaway: If you’re shopping for Reston real estate or scouting the best realtors in Herndon, VA, put “CCT access” near the top of your wish-list. Homes on Lawyers Road, Hunter Mill Road, and Silverbrook Road often sell faster thanks to that walk-out-the-door convenience.
Neighborhood Snapshots Along the Trail
| Mile Marker | Nearby Neighborhoods | Housing Style Highlights | Quick Eats/Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | South Reston (Hunters Woods, Fox Mill) | 1970s contemporary townhomes with lake views | Café Silar espresso & empanadas |
| 18 | Oakton Horse Country | 5-acre equestrian estates, luxury new-build colonials | Caboose Tavern Vienna craft brews |
| 25 | Kings Park / Annandale | Mid-century splits under $800 k | Wakefield Skate Shack soft-serve |
| 34 | Lorton / Laurel Hill | Neo-traditional rowhomes, golf-course condos | Workhouse Cafe pastries |
| 40 | Historic Occoquan | Riverfront condos, 1890s Victorians | The Spot On Mill BBQ & beer |
All drive times <12 min from trailhead parking.
Trail Tips From the Fairfax Reddit Hive-Mind
“North of Oak Marr gets shoe-sucking muddy after rain—bring waterproof boots or a hardtail.” (Reddit, Reddit)
“Look for the hidden rope swing on Difficult Run at Mile 7.”
“Braddock Road underpass floods fast—check USGS gauges before biking.”
“Horse riders have right-of-way; call out when passing.”
Planning Your Perfect Outing
Gear: 38–45 mm tires for bikes; trekking poles for creek crossings.
Parking: Free lots at Lake Fairfax, Oak Marr Rec Center, Wakefield Park, and Occoquan Regional Park. (TrailLink)
Safety: Cell-service gaps are rare but carry an offline map. Wear blaze orange in November (urban archery season).
Family Fun: Combine a 3-mile walk with the Lake Fairfax splash-pad or Great Falls overlook for an all-ages day.
Leave No Trace: Pack out litter—trail stewards run on volunteer hours.
Upcoming Improvements & Community Projects
Fairfax County recently earmarked $4.3 million for two new bridges over Difficult Run plus boardwalk resurfacing at Lake Accotink (construction fall 2025). Volunteer groups are also fundraising for interpretive signage celebrating the area’s Indigenous trading paths—watch for QR-code markers that link to oral histories. (Fairfax Connection)
Final Thoughts
The beauty of the Fairfax County Cross County Trail isn’t just its length—it’s the way it hands every resident a choose-your-own-adventure card. Morning jog before Zoom? Sunset paddle on Lake Accotink? Week-long thru-hike from Potomac granite to Occoquan tidewater? It’s all one trail, one county, and one more reason Northern Virginia keeps raising the bar for outdoor-first living.
If you’d like a home that backs to this greenway—or just a walkable mile away—reach out. I’m always happy to geek out over map pins and open houses.
