With fifty percent of the Difficult Run hike following the Potomac River at one of its most scenic spots, it's easy to see why so many people make Great Falls Park one of their favorites. Just 2.8 miles from the Scott's Run Nature Preserve, this is one of two scenic loop hikes just outside the Capital Beltway.
The trail is hard to spot in places because of blow downs, just follow the blue blazes. The trail passes over a small footbridge and a paved road, then continues just to the right on the other side.
Continue on the blue blazed trail as it follows the river before arriving at Patowmack Canal ruins. In 50 yards, turn right over the footbridge then left following the blue blazed River Trail. The trail will descend over a large footbridge before arriving at the main picnic area of Great Falls Park. Stay right and pass the two main scenic overlooks at Great Falls Park.
In 0.5 miles, turn right on the Swamp Trail. Follow the Swamp Trail for 0.4 miles where it ends at the next trail junction. Turn right climbing over the hill and in 0.3 miles the trail ends at the junction of the Ridge Trail.
Turn left, and in 60 yards, at the bottom of the depression, a small trail marked only by a single split rail post turns right downhill. Turn right on the trail as it heads down the ravine for the remaining 0.2 miles back to Georgetown Pike and the parking area. BE CAREFUL crossing Georgetown Pike, there's a lot of fast-moving traffic on the road.
Interactive Hike Map BelowPrintable
Topo Hike Map (PDF) Hike route in Drag the map with your mouse using the icon Zoom with the controls on the left Click the icons in the map below for location shots
Calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the Difficult Run hike:
=
Hiker
Reviews For The Difficult Run Hike (5 Most Recent)
This was a nice hike. For the first half that follows the river is awesome. When I made it to the top of the first hill I was able to see a person kayaking and watched for a few minuets. The views from the trail and the overlooks you pass in the main picnic area are just great. The last section of the trial that you are too follow down the ravine is closed. If you continue past the trail you will run into Carrage Road again. If you turn right it will lead you back to Georgetown Pike. You can ether turn right and walk along the ridge beside the road to where you need to cross the road to the parking area or cross Georgetown Pike and walk along the road to the parking area. I would suggest to walk along the ridge because their isn't much room to walk beside the road.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Monday, January 18, 2010
As an easy hike, this is great. Twelve of us had a grand time trying to figure out directions. It seems those in front didn't have a map but did have some fascinating discussions going on. There were several times we went off the beaten path. But it was a gorgeous day and we were interested in enjoying ourselves, so it really didn't matter. Do note that the last turn -- off Swamp Trail -- is closed.
By:
Darby
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, January 09, 2010
Hiked difficult run for the first time in years and the first time ever with snow on the ground. I absolutely recommend this hike in the winter months, it is not difficult and the views are even better as you peak through the trees along the ridge trails and the snow on the ground provides a great landscape. The trails had hard packed snow and ice but was not a problem to navigate (even with my friend in tennis shoes...) despite a few slippery spots. The solitude was nice before you get closer to the park at Great Falls and the cold weather deterred even more. FYI the last part of the trail back to the parking area says "trail closed" but i followed the numerous tracks in the snow down the trail anyway with no problems. Great hike, very family friendly.
By:
skm
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, October 04, 2009
Echoing the previous review, we also started in the wrong direction, but quickly figured out that we were headed in the wrong direction. Note, the trailhead with the map of the trail takes you in the opposite direction. The hike starts from the other end of the parking lot. Overall the hike was beautiful, especially along the Potomac.
Couple of things to note - the blazes marking the River Trail have been remarked recently in green paint. Also, do not rely on the distances in the direction, as we found them to be off at different points.
We discovered a number of other trails within this area and are looking forward to hiking it again!
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, September 12, 2009
I really enjoyed this hike.... Once we found out where the "actual Hike" started. Pay close attention upon arrival. We ended up going 3.5 miles down another trail that wasn't even in the right direction, but the directions were VERY similar to WRONG trail we were on. Just know that when you are in the parking lot, you don't go down the trail to the right when pulling in. There is really no header for the correct trail which is what confused us. On the up side, once we were on the correct trail, we loved the hike. It was absolutely beautiful, and not very challenging. There was a sign when we got to the end (where you are supposed to go to the split post and turn right) saying that the trail was closed. We just continued about another 70 yards and there was an open gravel road to the right, and we followed that down to the parking area. Had we not gotten off on the wrong foot with this hike, it would have been much better, but considering the circumstances, it was still a good time!
If you are looking for something really fun, and very challenging I would recommend OLD RAG MOUNTAIN. We completed that hike about a month ago, and it was very fun, but also very hard.