Off the Beaten Path: 6 Stroller-Friendly Hikes

We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, sometimes closures occur at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the spread of Covid-19. We highly recommend that you call ahead or check a park’s website before you pack your kids  (and all those snacks, and diapers…) and haul them across town. Stay safe!

With shops and restaurants closed through April, chances are you’re craving an opportunity to get out-and-about (while keeping a safe six feet distance). Blooming flowers and warmer weather beg to be enjoyed with long walks. The only thing holding us back–or slowing us down–is our bambino’s stroller. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself dead-lifting it up-and-down stairs, lugging it through bumpy gravel, or pumping the brakes down hills. You can take a breath of fresh, spring air–we’ve found a handful of smooth and scenic paths perfect for you and the kid-in-stroller.

Kenwood
The Kenwood neighborhood is a great place to take a stroll with your stroller. Well known for the thousands of Yoshino cherry trees that line its streets, this is not an area that should solely be visited during cherry blossom season. This is a wonderful neighborhood, with wide streets, to explore anytime of the year. Creeks and grassy knolls are scattered throughout and the architecture of the houses will take your breath away. The Capital Crescent trail cuts through Kenwood or you can park on the many streets and just walk at your own pace. 

Theodore Roosevelt Island
From Rosslyn Circle, start off your adventure by crossing the pedestrian bridge to the island over the Potomac River. The island is a 91-acre wilderness preserve that serves as a memorial to President Roosevelt, honoring his contributions to conservation of nature. The island has over two miles of foot trails where you can observe a variety of flora and fauna. Need a little history?? In the center of the island, is a bronze statue of Roosevelt along with fountains and granite tablets inscribed with the former president’s conservation values. A variety of trails are available for walking, jogging or running. The Swamp Trail (1½ miles) is mostly flat with a boardwalk section while the Woods (2/3 mile) and Upland (¾ mile ) Trails are surfaced with pea-sized gravel. If your little ones decide to ditch the stroller and walk, they can use this online journal to keep track of the miles they hike.

George Washington Memorial Pkwy northbound lanes between Roosevelt Bridge and Key Bridge, Arlington, VA
Online: nps.gov

Georgetown Waterfront Park
Enjoy wide paths with beautiful views of the Potomac River, and DC skyline. Not only do you get idyllic panoramas but you can also enjoy the serenity of walking along the water’s edge. Stroll along the riverfront promenade, or walk along the paved paths that crisscross the park. From labyrinths to rain gardens to beautiful trees and flowers, there is something for everyone at the Georgetown Waterfront Park. 

31st St. to Wisconsin Av., NW, Georgetown
Online: georgetownwaterfrontpark.org

photo: W&OD Trail 

Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD Trail)
Built on the roadbed of the former Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, the W&OD Trail runs 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville in Northern Virginia. There are numerous access points with parking, or users can simply walk on or off at a point of their choosing.You can catch it at different points throughout NOVA including Vienna, Reston, Leesburg and Ashburn. It’s fun because you make your way through cities and towns, over creeks and waterways. 

I-395 to the Shirlington exit and turn left on South Four Mile Run Dr.
Online: nvrpa.org

Glen Echo
Glen Echo Park is a great place to take a leisurely walk. There’s lots of land to cover and the gorgeous Art Deco décor is aesthetically beautiful to see. In the 1890s, it began as a Chautauqua retreat and soon became the premier DC area amusement park, until 1968. The government acquired the land and the National Park Service teamed up with artists and arts organizations to create robust arts programming on the park grounds. 

7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD
Online: glenechopark.org

Worth-The-Drive: Cool Spring at Shenandoah University River Campus
If you prefer more than a six feet of buffer space, take a quick 45-minute drive to Loudoun County where wide open (paved) paths are ready for a stroller-stroll. Cool Springs is the site of a former golf course transformed into an outdoor classroom by Shenandoah University. The public is invited to explore the paths that wind along 195 acres of land. Bikes, scooters and four-legged friends are all welcome.

1400 Parker Ln, Bluemont, VA
Online: su.edu/cool-spring/visitor-information/trails