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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	57 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 8/10/11 by thebio19	Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 7 miles	Global Rank: #646
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Network
Ridden: 215	Wishlist: 53
Avg. Speed: 6.65 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 6min
Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,240/-1,352 ft
1 trail check-ins

 

Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax

 

Lake Accotink Network in Springfield

 

  
reviewed by bikesRmylife on December 11, 2011

Wakefield has some really sick singletrack with lots of obstacles like log piles, rock gardens, dirt jumps, berms and some short intense climbs and decents! They have races there in the spring, summer and fall for all ages! As mountaon biking becomes a very popular sport, kids in the 15-18 age class will soon have the opportunity to earn scholarships! Even if you dont wanna race, check out wakefield!

  
reviewed by imryno on November 21, 2011

This is one of my favorite trails in the DC area--it's easy to get to, has fantastic flow, and there is always a way to challenge yourself when you ride Wakefield. There are a few races here throughout the year, and the wear-and-tear of being a popular trail right on the beltway certainly shows. While I wouldn't make a long drive specifically to hit Wakefield, if you live in DC or want to ride the prototypical DC trail, you owe it to yourself to ride Wakefield at least once.

Similar Trail: Parts of the CCT, Schaeffer Farms, Colts Neck Loop

  
reviewed by bilerik on October 6, 2011

I've ridden it twice now, lots of fun. Always see more deer than people, but i tend to go during the week. Enough challenges to keep it interesting but not too hard. More fun than hard, good downhill whoops and bowls.

  
reviewed by Jkizz on September 27, 2011

Yes this is not the tallest or the fastest place, but... Dirt birms for extra Gs... some really well made rock gardens and other surprises await... Parents can bring their kids to skateboard while they bike... This place is great especially for being in the middle of suburban hell

  
reviewed by Crixus on July 15, 2011

This was a nice group of trails with many variations of short climbs, drops, and obstacles. There is even a short slalom thrown in the mix. This was a great trail to get my family truly in-love with the sport. It has a little bit of everything. Enough of a challenge to give my wife stitches and my 11 year-old girl a challenge and thrill. Next challenge for the family....Fountainhead. They have tried Tree-eater Run and Cardiac Hill, they are not quite there yet for the rest of it.

Similar Trail: Fountainhead, once you are up for the challenge

  
reviewed by Trailburger on June 6, 2011

This is a decent ride with a mix of elevations. Its pretty close to my work, so I use it as a good after work ride. Not sure what its like on the weekends, but you pretty much have free-reign during the week. Recommend it for beginners who are ready to take on new challenges.

  
reviewed by Rocky666 on May 8, 2011

May 1st a friend and I drove all the way from Allentown PA just to ride this trail. I found it to be a very fun trail to ride. Worth the long drive.

Similar Trail: Jordan Creek Parkway Allentown ,PA

  
reviewed by JeffHoward on May 1, 2011

Very nice smooth fast single track, prepare to explore a little as there is not a set loop, it’s a jumbled network. Stay away from the orange trail and areas by the creek, they are boring and sloppy. The easiest way to find the yellow trail which contains all the best sections is to follow the power lines toward the right if you are facing away from the park. Once you get in the yellow trail network is a blast creating new ways to mix the wooded single track up with the open and quick downhill / uphill sections beneath the power lines.

Similar Trail: Schaeffer Farms Mountain Bike Trail

  
reviewed by sprkplg73 on March 31, 2011

Nice warm-up sections and moderate single trails. "The serpentine" is quite lovely.

  
reviewed by patlilburn on December 31, 2010

Fun trail kind of hard to build speed, bowl section is a lot of fun. Good all around trail.

Similar Trail: Fountain Head, but Fountain Head is a little more technical and more drops and climbs

  
reviewed by saminguz on December 6, 2010

A great trail to get into mountain biking and learn the core skills. This trail has a bit of everything, some sweet sweeping single track with a mixture of streams, roots, rocks, switchbacks and berms thrown in for good measure. The climbs and decents are enough to make you work and put a smile on your face without ruining your day. I'd definately recommend this trail for those wanting to build up their skills while having fun. It's super accessible too - bonus!

Similar Trail: New to area but Fountain head is similar if more technical. Bigger climbs and decents too.

  
reviewed by jtorlando25 on December 6, 2010

Great trail. Although fairly flat, I felt like a kid at a playground with all the trail options. I definitely had fun. It was my first time there and I couldn't find a real flow amongst the loops but I'm not knocking off points for that.

Similar Trail: Laurel Hill

  
reviewed by NunnerEX8 on September 4, 2010

Fun place to ride! I am used to riding in North Carolina, but this was a fun surprise. The trail setup is a little confusing at first; trail design is not intuitive until you explore and get your bearings. Fun mix of berms, rock gardens, swooping and flowing singletrack, and little whoops here and there. I would rate this at an intermediate; however, there are no challenging climbs here except for the access point to the little banked downhill section. Only a few actually technical sections, but you can maintain a quick tempo which makes it a blast. Great ride for NOVA area riders!

  
reviewed by tjb3 on August 22, 2010

Awesome place to ride... right off 495. Good mix of in woods singletrack and downhill powerline trails. Cool built up berms and jumps. Really fun place to ride.

  
reviewed by BU10May on August 14, 2010

This was a nice network of trails. Although it is pretty flat, you can really get your speed up. There are rock gardens throughout the trail, and some nice banked switchbacks. The trails are well kept!

  
reviewed by RappAttack on August 11, 2010

great for beginners to work on tech skills, wont bore them like Laural hill but wont kick there a%% and make them hate mountain biking like fountain head. keeps it interesting for the more advanced rider(you can go really fast on it!!:). lots of different loops for some great variety

Similar Trail: Laural hill,

  
reviewed by Blfrog on July 19, 2010

Very cool trails. They are next to a highway but that doesnt really ruin them at all. One side is mostly flat with a few dips and bumps while the other side is just about all up or down. Its great for begginers but its also still a good challenge for the more experienced.

  
reviewed by K20 on June 29, 2010

Relatively lame trail. Very flat and nothing too challenging. Might as well be on the road in my opinion. Fountainhead infinitely better and not too far.

  
reviewed by USMCck1 on June 27, 2010

I started at Wakefield and ended up in Lake Accotink Trail. Wakefield was fun and had smaller obstacles and lots of deer and wildlife. I thought Accotink was more extreme mtn bking. The trail wasn't wet or muddy at all.

  
reviewed by zmorgan on May 8, 2010

Great system of trails. Went this morning and the trails are in good shape. Status currently says wet/sketchy but they are not that bad at all.

  
reviewed by kkeaty on March 22, 2010

The trail was loads of fun and was in good shape. It's technical enough for beginner into intermediate skill levels, I think. There was a good amount of traffic (because it was sunny and 75 degrees for the first time of the year), but everyone I encountered was polite about sharing the trail.

  
reviewed by tvance on February 8, 2010

Went out with my friend about 2 weeks ago before the snow and it was all in all pretty nice. You can tell the trail has been lacking riders and maintenance due to the winter season. This was my second time riding there and I had alot of fun. There are many challenges on this trail for example many times you are flying down a technical singletrack and hit a huge rock garden and if you don't see it or know where it is it can throw you off your bike. I had alot of fun here and would recomend this to anyone looking for a nice ride.

* Review edited 2/8/2010

  
reviewed by jsenior82 on January 8, 2010

I cut my teeth in this park. Its got something for everyone. The uphill isn't too hard but provides a nice challenge for the beginners and the downhill (especially the rollers) are phenomenal. There are a lot of great things thrown in your way on the trail to get comfortable with the more technical aspects of riding. This is a place I visited weekly when I lived in the area. Big thumbs up.

* Review edited 1/8/2010

  
reviewed by thisguy on January 7, 2010

Great trail system. I was visiting family over thanksgiving and found these trails and was blown away. Very fast and flowy if you like with no tough climbs. I am from the Western part of Virginia usually riding in the mountains but this was a very pleasant surprise and cannot wait to ride again...and oh yeah visit the relatives...

Similar Trail: Carvins Cove Roanoke Va.

  
reviewed by anewawareness on November 23, 2009

A great trail to bring anyone interested in taking up the hobby. Has many easy areas for beginners as well as room to grow for more experienced riders. Good for a leisurely but fun ride, but can also be exhilarating if the right trails are found. The trails are a little difficult to get used to but can be learned quickly.

  
reviewed by goldentaiji on October 13, 2009

Awesome trail... went 3 days straight over the weekend... 1st time mountain biking and it was a blast. Be warned though... some yellow sections might be a little bit for a beginniner... orange is way easier...

  
reviewed by kleppe on October 9, 2009

Great after work trail. Get their early b/c parking lot fills up quick after 6pm in the summer. Lots of interwinding trails. Easy to get turned around

  
reviewed by blakninjacat on September 13, 2009

This trail is good for mostly all riders with some difficult sections. my favorite part is the switchbacks.

Similar Trail: laurel hill

  
reviewed by super330xi on August 11, 2009

It was my first time on this trail last month and it was a blast. I cant wait to try it again with my 29er.

  
reviewed by soulmonkey on July 10, 2009

Had not been on this trail in about 7 years up until last week. They have done alot with these trails. The switchbacks under the power lines on the downhills are my favorite part by far. That used to be one boring climb and now they have much better use of the space there. You can get some decent speed on the yellow trail if you follow the arrows in the right direction. Rode it 3 times last week and gonna go back soon. Bravo to Wakefield park for putting this so close to the suburbs for a quick getaway.

  
reviewed by Paragon1 on July 5, 2009

Rode for the first time on 2July. Lots of fun, really enjoyed the open switchbacks. Trail allows for good speed, however theres LOTS of erosion around the short steep climbs with people going off trail to avoid which ultimately makes it worse off in the long run. Didnt get a chance to do the whole trail but from what ive seen its gonna be fun. Now... if only my wheel didnt come off the roof on I-95 when i was driving home... Time for a new wheel.

  
reviewed by sparkymoffett on July 4, 2009

well i just started riding mountain bikes last week. former skateboarder with a bit of a bmx background. and well, WOW, wakefield is fun!!! i've been 4 times in the past week and still haven't hit everything. the ride that links accotink and wakefield is a good ride. about to leave in 15 minutes to go ride it again (just rode it yesterday)

  
reviewed by power_seen on May 21, 2009

Awesome place with lots to do. Look forward to getting back there when it dries out more. Some spots are very saturated even after an almost week-long dry-out.

Similar Trail: Lake Accotink

  
reviewed by williampp3 on May 8, 2009

Wakefield serves as a great local place to ride for riders of all skill sets. I think the Potomac Velo Club and the Fairfax Parks Department do a great job keeping the trail up. The downhill section under the powers lines is a nice quick downhill section. Some nice switchbacks and a few rock sections.

* Review edited 5/8/2009

  
reviewed by skibum on September 26, 2008

This isn't so much a trail network as a trail with a couple options that run through a narrow space of land between the freeway and suburbia. The main path is wide, groomed and can hardly be considered mountain biking. However, the singletrack options provide a good experience considering the location. Someone did a good job of cutting interesting, winding trails through the strip of woods. Explore until you find your favorite route. The north end has some very cool bermed curves and there are some good log crossings. The boggiest spots have bridges or have been armored with rock gardens. I like to start my ride here in Lake Accotink park and combine the two for a longer ride. This area is popular, so watch the blind corners.

Similar Trail: Lake Accotink Park

  
reviewed by Pyroclast on August 6, 2008

Close to DC, Fast and Fun. The combination of Wakefield + Accotink is superb. You can ride for hours without going twice on the same section. Some fireroads are fine, but most of it is singletrack with some technical sections near the transmission towers. Dusty most of the year, little mud on the singletrack. Most water gets accumulated on the fireroads and it is encouraged to stay away from the singletracks when is too wet. The section along the river is too dry and dusty, I try to stay on the fireroad that goes parallel, it is faster and you wouldn't be running into deer.

Similar Trail: Accotink

  
reviewed by yakky on April 21, 2008

Very nice area to ride. While it lacks lots of elevation changes, it more than makes up by lots of challenging tibbits like rock gardens, narrow bridges (right after bermed turns!) and other fun stuff. Great for the beginner as most obstacles can be ridden around.

  
reviewed by Punishment on April 17, 2008

This was a good place to ride and goof off for a while. Nothing too technical but it was very fun. It has some single(sometimes double)track that have good flow and you can pick up decent speed. The trails along the power lines where a blast to ride. Other riders there were very friendly. Can't wait to go back.

  
reviewed by David_Rees on March 18, 2008

I couldn't find the "blue arrows", but the rest of it was a lot of fun. Nothing that challenging, but lots of dips and berms to play on. A team was working on the trail and I look forward to riding what they were building.

  
reviewed by cbhale on March 4, 2008

I really like coming out to Wakefield. It is great, both for a fun, relatively quick ride when i only have an hour to get out, and for when i want to come out and piddle away a sunday afternoon on miy bike. I just recently found the blue trails which are super fun and i definitely plan on going back to do more exploring. what wakefield lacks in elevation it makes up for in variety. There a some good obstacles, sections of flowy singletrack, a couple of short climbs, and the BMXish powerlines. Overall a great place to ride close to DC

Similar Trail: Fountainhead

  
reviewed by Lawmaster87 on September 27, 2007

This trail offers a perfect singletracking combo in the middle of Northern Virginia. The Orange is very easy yet enjoyable. The Yellow is medium difficulty and consists of fun flowing corners and mild elevation changes. Also, the Yellow goes along a stream and has a few downed trees that you can balance beam across. The Blue or "the Bowl" is more difficult but not too extreme. Bottom line, this trail is just really really fun with a perfect amount of differing terrain. Nothing would be considered extremely technical, but it is a well designed and maintained trail that offers a great variety of network options to keep you entertained all day. 10/10/2009 It has been a while since I have ridden there, but I am bit disappointed. Freeriding options have been eliminated. It's XC all the way, and really nothing to play on, which is what it is supposed to be, i.e. a smooth XC trail and nothing more.

* Review edited 10/11/2009

  
reviewed by vincejesaitis on July 22, 2007

This is a really fun park -- really well maintained trails. It has become my local ride and I've been riding it a couple times a week. Not a lot in the way of hard climbs, aside from the climb under the power lines on the north/eastern section, but there is some variety and it is never very crowded.

  
reviewed by Bulldog on June 22, 2007

One of the best ride. I have taken many of my fellow riders new to the area to Wakefile and all of them have just been hooked. I try to set up rides once or twice a week here. However is no one else can go I will go on my own. There are areas that are more challenging but other areas are easy. I like the different skill levels. I have taken one of my 8 year old sons and he is always wanting to go back. I just love this trail. Also I would like to thank all the members of MORE that helped in the trail work. Great Job

  
reviewed by senator on May 31, 2007

I just discovered the "blue arrows" in the Wakefield trail system. For months, I'd only known about the yellow and orange trails. It was like discovering a lost city. For those who don't know, the arrows represent racing runs (in other words, they don't limit the direction you should travel in any way). The yellow arrows are found in the north section of the Wakefield trail network, the orange in the central part (more or less), and blue in the south. The south (blue) trails are a little harder to find for those like me who enter the park from the Americana park side (not Wakefield park) at the extreme north end of the trails. But once I found them, I had a blast! The blue trails offer much more in the way of technical challenges. There are a lot more roots, rocks and logs. There are also several stream crossings and a rapid (although slightly angled) downhill section that is riddles with roots, crevices and rocks (makes for some hairy moments). So now, in addition to my great reviews of the yellow and orange trails (which are still the most fun, I think, and longer, too), I'd also like to add an excellent review for the blue trails. I visited all 3 yesterday, and killed 3 hours without even blinking! * Review edited 6/1/2007

* Review edited 6/1/2007

Similar Trail: Fountainhead

  
reviewed by sanlasio on May 27, 2007

This is a fun fast trail being new to this trail it took me some time to figure out the flow and locations of the trail, so if you are new to the area try to find some local riders to follow to help learn the trail because it can get confusing.

  
reviewed by senator on May 14, 2007

Best kept secret in NOVA! I found this place by accident after riding the 4 mile trail originating at Thaiss Park in Fairfax. It's like an off-road amusement park. There are dozens of single track trails (or so it seems) that will keep you busy for hours. I am always mad when the sun goes down. As for the trails... they are fantastic! There is a nice downhill switchback system, coupled with many runs (including whoops) into the neighboring forest. The technical challenges are minimal to moderate, making this a very fast-paced ride. There are great downhills, uphills, switchbacks, creek crossings, stumps, logs, rocks, bridges and other technical challenges all over this park. It's amazing that this forest adventure is in such an urban area. Excellent for beginners and experienced riders alike!

* Review edited 6/1/2007

Similar Trail: Lake Accotink, Fountainhead

  
reviewed by Tadd03 on April 12, 2007

Excellent time - just a generally fun ride. A little bit of everything without too much of anything specific - you don't have to concentrate too hard so you can just enjoy the ride.

Similar Trail: Fountainhead

  
reviewed by andreee on September 29, 2006

the trail is sweet. you should check out the black run. there's a nice uphill climb followed by a downhill with some woops. its short but awesome

  
reviewed by schmuck on August 15, 2005

This is not a very technical ride but it's riding so not many complaints can't be had. It's a really good warm up for better riding to be had at Lake Accotink...which is right next to it. Very good for beginners and if you're new to the single speed scene.

  
reviewed by czb on July 8, 2005

a pussy trail if ever there was one. this is the sort of smarmy semi-urban rabbit warren any decent rider ought to avoid. ugly. smelly. no hills. no challenges. zip. nada.

  
reviewed by hillsdalemc on April 22, 2005

great trails great variety, they have vastly improved the course especially the trails marked with yellow arrows. so many options, good challenges but nothing ridiculous. Great place to go get lost.

Similar Trail: Aspen Park, Gaylord Michigan

  
reviewed by kltbo on March 7, 2005

Wakefield is a changing!!!!! For the better. Alot of the usual trails on the race course (the hill between the creek and power lines) have been closed but an awesome loop is being added to the course. The major hill climbs have gotten easier with switchbacks. The trail is being designed by IMBA trail masters which will keep the trails from eroding and hopefully they will dry faster after a rain. There are more changes to happen to the powerline section and a few other parts of the trail. **Be kind to the trails this spring, a lot of work is going into building and maintaining these trails. While the ground is thawing and still wet, be patient and let them dry.**

Similar Trail: Rosaryville, Fountain Head

  
reviewed by mdmtbkr on November 11, 2004

Great place to ride, I really like this place. I never get tired of riding here. It is best to ride at sun up, lots of deer to be seen and morning is great. Although it is cold this time of year.

Similar Trail: Lake Accotink

  
reviewed by kltbo on November 2, 2004

Went for a ride this morning, 2 Nov, before work. Crisp but excellent ride. Wakefield has some awesome trails. Something for everyone. Wakefield is riddens so much that the leaves never have time to accumulate, they are very well flattened out.

Similar Trail: FountainHead, Patapsco

  
reviewed by WEX404 on October 22, 2004

Wakefield is constantly improving. New trails have been added to the section called the Bowl, and the creek trail remains just as fast as ever. It doens't drain as fast, though, so give it 24-48 hours to dry up after a good rain - same goes for the lower parts of the race course. Power lines are usually first to dry up. If you're looking for more logs, and more climbing, Accotink is the place to go. Both parks are a lot of fun, though NOW ALL NIGHT RIDING AT ACCOTINK is ILLEGAL. This is relatively new, and will be enforced. Word is night riding at Wakefield WILL be allowed 3 nights a week, which have yet to be determined. If you're looking to come out for a ride, I lead a casual / beginner group on Tuesdays at 6:30 (weather permitting), and there's also an organized night ride on Thursdays at 6:45. Check the MORE site (www.more-mtb.org) for more details. If we get a lot of beginners, I usually spend a little time discussing how to best get up those nasty hills, over those roots, and even some of those pesky logs and rock gardens.

Similar Trail: Schaeffer Farms, Rosaryville

  
reviewed by hillsdalemc on October 19, 2004

These trails offer a wide variety. I don't like the hiller section that has a few jumps, mainly because some of it seems impossible and its covered in roots. However, there is some good trail to be found out here. I like taking the trails that run along the open field with the power lines on the way out, then i head left towards the river and follow that back in. Definitely a lot of discovering is involved in a trip out here. A solid ride if you get on the right tracks though I don't think it is easy to find the best tracks for a first timer out here. A nice ride for how close it is to the DC area. I personally like it about the same as fountainhead.

  
reviewed by reh on June 20, 2004

I have ridden this trail system once, in the Cranky Monkey bike race. It seems a very nice trail system. It was not especially tough, but there is a lot of space to explore, and so close to a major metro area, I suspect this to be a highly valued system to the locals. By the way, the Cranky Monkey race was very competitive and challenging.

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