Difficult Run is a region in Northern Virginia, encompassing a 57.7-square-mile watershed in Fairfax County that drains into the Potomac River and flows through parts of Great Falls Park. This area features diverse landscapes, including forested areas, rocky crags, and a narrow, cliff-lined valley leading to the Potomac River. The varied topography and extensive trail system make it suitable for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, jogging, and more. It offers a significant natural escape with a mix…
75
Routes
4.5
(70)
Average rating
967
People visited

5.0
(3)
26
hikers
4.57km
01:12
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
hikers
6.66km
01:42
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
3.86km
01:01
30m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
3.23km
00:49
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
35
riders
7.38km
00:38
60m
60m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(4)
76
riders
12.9km
01:04
120m
120m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
52
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(2)
44
riders
8.23km
00:43
80m
80m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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3.25km
00:23
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
39
runners
5.29km
00:33
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

40
runners
12.1km
01:15
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
runners
12.0km
01:15
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(4)
57
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(6)
80
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
35
riders
49.5km
02:52
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
34
riders
16.9km
01:01
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
11
riders
75.9km
03:16
590m
590m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.0
(2)
10
riders
31.8km
01:37
200m
200m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

8
riders
49.1km
02:20
330m
330m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

8
riders
14.2km
00:36
90m
90m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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3.0
(1)
30
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
13
riders
26.8km
01:50
130m
130m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
riders
89.8km
04:33
550m
550m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
riders
27.2km
01:23
160m
160m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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The Difficult Run region offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, jogging, touring cycling, and gravel biking. The area features a diverse trail system with both dirt and paved sections. More than 10,000 visitors have explored routes in Difficult Run.
Difficult Run provides scenic hiking options, including a 4.9-mile (7.9 km) roundtrip trail that offers views of the Potomac River and Great Falls. Hikers can also access trails within Great Falls Park from Difficult Run. For more details, refer to Hiking around Difficult Run.
The Difficult Run area includes options suitable for various skill levels. Some trails are considered easy, providing accessible outdoor experiences. Information on less strenuous routes can be found in the Easy hikes around Difficult Run guide.
The Difficult Run region is popular for road cycling, with routes connecting to the broader Fairfax Cross County Trail. Specific options are highlighted in the Road Cycling Routes around Difficult Run guide. The area offers varied terrain for cyclists.
Mountain biking is a popular activity in Difficult Run, with a secluded 12-mile (19 km) trail along Difficult Run from Reston to Great Falls Park. This trail offers both fast, smooth rides and sections requiring technical skills. Details are available in the MTB Trails around Difficult Run guide.
The extensive network of trails in Difficult Run makes it suitable for jogging and running. The 4.9-mile (7.9 km) Difficult Run loop is a notable option for runners. More routes can be explored through the Running Trails around Difficult Run guide.
Difficult Run offers spectacular views of the Potomac River and the dramatic Mather Gorge cliffs. The region features varied topography, including forested areas, rocky crags, and a narrow, cliff-lined valley. It also contains four man-made lakes: Lake Anne, Lake Fairfax, Lake Thoreau, and Lake Audubon.
Difficult Run is a tributary of the Potomac River and flows through parts of Great Falls Park. The Difficult Run trail provides direct access to Great Falls National Park, allowing visitors to explore additional trails within the park.
Routes in Difficult Run have an average rating of 4.65 out of 5 stars on komoot. This rating is based on feedback from more than 700 users who have shared their experiences in the region.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for Difficult Run, covering various sports. These include guides for Hiking, Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, and Running.
As Difficult Run is primarily a natural region, there is no single official website. For information related to the Difficult Run watershed, contact Fairfax County Public Works and Environmental Services at 703-324-5500. For Great Falls Park, which the Difficult Run trail enters, refer to the National Park Service website.

