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Turkey Run Loop

View this trail on the brand new LocalHikes.com

Highlights:

Great river views plus stream, falls and woods
Near:Mc Lean, VA
Scenery:
Distance:3.9 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:400 ft
Hike Time:2 hours
Difficulty:Moderate
Trail Condition:OK, but a few difficult spots
HikeType:Loop



Summary: The trail starts in the C1 parking area and heads down to the Potomac River. The markers are yellow until you reach the river where you follow blue markers of the Potomac Heritage trail to the northwest along the river. You cross over Turkey Run and continue to Dead Run. Cross over Dead Run and go up stream, following the yellow markers again. Just after passing under the GW parkway bridge, turn left, cross the run and follow the yellow markers southeast until you reach Turkey Run again. Turn left and at the bridge cross over the run and follow the yellow trail up the hill and back to the parking lot.
Trailhead: Trail starts at the C1 parking lot in Turkey Run park on the George Washington Parkway, about 1.5 miles southeast of the DC beltway. (Lat:38.57854 Lon:-77.09189)
Trail Guides for Turkey Run Loop:
None available
by na (na)

Best Seasons: Year-Round
User Groups: Hikers, Dogs,
Ranger Contact: GW Memorial Parkway Police 703.289.2500
Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Keith Ferguson, who has posted  10 other hikes on this site
Trail Reviews  Page 1 of 2   Submit your own review
Reviewed by Jen on 10/25/2012
most of these woods are pretty free of invasive plans, which is nice! as a single female hiker, i can see that the cruisers might seem creepy, but remember -they're gay -so they've got no interest in ya and don't worry about 'em!

Reviewed by AD on 11/15/2010
On Sunday, 11/14, hiked there nearing dusk. Were many families and couples. But, also did notice several single men kind of creeping around. Could have just been solo hikers but also kind of suspicious.

Reviewed by Penny on 8/7/2010
Stopped here to take the dog for a stroll on the way home. Immediately we noticed several single men loitering around the parking lot. We decided to brave it and started walking the trail down to the river. But, ended up turning around after approaching two males embracing up ahead of us. GAH!!! Won't be back. This place isn't family friendly.

Reviewed by d on 7/3/2010
Stumbled upon two men rolling in the bushes when walking with my son. I noticed a lot of single men hanging out in the parking lot eyeballing every new car that comes in. The area is used by homosexuals to have anonymous gay sex in the porta-potties. Will never come back here. I was pretty depressed afterwards.

Reviewed by KWilliams on 11/9/2009
Had a great fall hike here with our infant in a backpack. Really quite nice, no people, a fun scramble up Dead Run and routefinding through the leaves on the Yellow trail on the S side of the GW Parkway (with no traffic on the trail the leaves were 6" deep!). Some notes: 1. The PHT is now green blazed, not blue 2. Dead Run is a real scramble over boulders on the riverbed (fun but probably more difficult than the Billy Goat but only for a few hundred meters) 3. Crossing Dead Run with water flowing might be tough to do while keeping your feet dry (fine with boots) 4. We couldn't find the "yellow trail up the hill and back to the parking lot" after the GW bridge. Ended up back on the last .25 miles of the entry trail.

Reviewed by Jimbo on 8/28/2009
Turkey Run is an OK hike along the Potomac - part of the Potomac Heritage Trail. The PHT further north from Scott's Run through Great Falls Nat'l Park and up to Riverbend is much nicer, but much busier. I tried doing some trail running along Turkey Run Loop, but the trail is a little too rocky and narrow at points where you have to slow down. The other posters are correct - beware of the creepy men lurking in the parking lots at Turkey Run Park - this is a well known place for gay cruising and the police haven't done a great job controlling it.

Reviewed by Jennifer on 3/8/2009
Too many men alone in parking lot (C2) and on trails - not hikers, not with families, not with dogs, not with binoculars, not with bird books. It gave me the willies. Also, trails not well signed. My friend & I didn't go too far.

Reviewed by Jen on 9/14/2008
Just did this hike for the first time today. It was pretty nice. The Turkey Run Loop is only about one mile, but it connects to the Potomac Heritage Trail. We chose to go north toward the American Legion Bridge, turn around and come back. We estimated the hike to be about 4.5 miles. The trail is nicely maintained, but would recommend day hiking boots to protect your ankles when stepping on roots and rocks. Also, you will be crossing a couple of creeks, so beware of slippery rocks. The trail was not crowded but that could be because it was 95 degrees today! Thank goodness for the shady trees!


Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.
Keys: Virginia Hiking, Virginia Trails, Virginia Hikes, Fairfax County Hiking, Fairfax County Trails, Fairfax County Hikes


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