The goal of this route is to run as close to the entire border of Arlington County, Virginia as possible. This course is a loop that consists of (counter-clockwise) the Potomac Heritage Trail from Teddy Roosevelt Island to Chain Bridge/Pimmit Run Trail, tracing the original NW and NE DC border through Arlington neighborhoods, a connection around Shirlington to the Four Mile Run Trail, a trip up the Mount Vernon Trail past the airport and Gravelly Point, a detour on Humpback Bridge Trail by the Pentagon to the 27 Trail (technically Columbia Island is in the Potomac, which belongs to DC, not Arlington!!), back to the Mount Vernon Trail and returning to Teddy Roosevelt Island.
As a bonus, try to visit all 10 original DC boundary stones that marked off part of the original DC border! A few (NW1, NW2, and NW3) are on private property, so be sure to knock on the friendly peoples' front doors and ask to see them. You can check Google Reviews for each boundary stone for more tips on how to see them, and visit https://www.boundarystones.org/ or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boundary_markers_of_the_original_District_of_Columbia for more information
This route includes approximately 5 miles of trail running on the PHT, so be ready for some dirt, rocks, and light scrambling. The SW border portion has the most options for restocking at local stores, if needed.
