The Green Circle Trail in Winchester, VA is a great spot to get in a good run of any distance.The route is well-marked by green, circular signs every step of the way. It's near impossible to get lost ;) The loop is just over 6 miles long. The best place to park is at Shenandoah University, by the tennis courts. The mile 0.0 is in front of the Hampton Inn hotel. But it's a circular route, so you can basically start where ever you want.
There isn't a ton of elevation gain on this route, but it feels like it does. The first 3 miles (from Shenandoah University, in the counter-clockwise direction) are a gradual uphill climb. Then once you reach the CVS, that's the halfway point and you can enjoy running back downhill for the next 3 miles until the finish. You'll run past plenty of stores to stop and refuel, if needed (for longer runs, over multiple loops). You'll run through some cool neighborhoods, a short stretch on the Old Town Winchester walking mall, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, and Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve. The course is pretty at all times of the year, especially in the spring, with everything in full bloom.
The route is along the Winchester roads, so you will definitely hit some red lights you'll need to wait on.. But other than that, it's great place to run and hope to see you out there on the Green Circle Trail.
