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Potomac Overlook Regional Park and Donaldson Run



A view across the river into DC (Capital Crescent Trail)

I'm not sure one equates Arlington with the ideal hiking spot, but when a friend suggested we visit Potomac Overlook before stopping by her house, we decided to keep an open mind.  After all, there must at least be an awesome view of the river; it has an overlook, right?

Welcome all!

Potomac Overlook Regional Park and the adjacent Donaldson Run Park are typical suburban parks in that you are almost surrounded by houses on all sides, you aren't exactly in backcountry, nor are you "away from it all."  I mean, hey, the good news is you can't get lost!  Joking aside, it actually doesn't take very long to move into the woods and forget you are right outside of Washington, DC.

Heading into those woods

The upside to visiting any park for the first time is that you can't go wrong in terms of the route you choose. Everything is new to you.  After consulting the map, and a man walking his dog (people that frequent the park that you are in are 100% the best resource.  Infinitely better than any online review!), we decided to head straight to the overlook first.  We make our way down there only to be confronted with this sign:

Oh dear!  Our hopes sank a little.

This is the "Overlook," a partial view of the GW Parkway.

Not easily deterred or discouraged from the "overlook" we follow a secondary trail that isn't on the map, or my phone's GPS, which takes us parallel to the Parkway (slightly outside of the park's trail system) and eventually deposits us back into the park and deeper into the woods. 

The view substantially improves 👍

Appreciating a delicate ladybug🐞

This is the trail you want to be on.  I'm glad we eventually found it.  It takes you along Donaldson Run where you can crisscross the stream, play in the water if you so choose, and it will lead you down to the Potomac, and to the Potomac Heritage Trail.

Striking a pose 😉


Heading down to Donaldson Run

Our kids had different methods of getting down the dusty, loose rock/dirt trail 😏:

Method 1- The More Traditional Method:



Method 2- The Alternative:

😂  But why though?



I'm not sure you were "meant" to walk here.
Secondary trail?  Tertiary trail?  Deer trail?
Who knows? 

Once you do eventually reach Donaldson Run it becomes a little ambiguous where exactly the trail is a certain points.  You can pretty much walk on either side of the stream/creek (Donaldson Run) at most points.  The above looked like a path to me though.  My husband was not so sure about my "adventurous route".  But it was fun and we did end up back on the actual trail and down to the river where you can connect to the Potomac Heritage Trail.


A lot just got added to my hiking to-do list.
I definitely want to return and head off in both directions on the Potomac Heritage Trail.
100% worth it once we figured out where to go 😂

Donaldson Run depositing into the Potomac


Taking in the view of the Potomac before heading off to visit our friends, Greg and Erin.



I would absolutely return to Potomac Overlook Regional Park.  I would immediately head over to Donaldson Run and hop on the Potomac Heritage Trail.  The Donaldson Run trail was beautiful and interesting and if you have kids they will love repeatedly crossing or playing in the water.  From there you can easily hop onto the Potomac Heritage Trail for a nice hike.






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Comments

  1. EHume21August 16, 2020 at 2:41 PM

    When you come back to do this let me know...I know a different, more direct way to get to Donaldson Run!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DMV WandererAugust 16, 2020 at 3:00 PM

    Yes, do let me know! It is always fun to explore though!

    ReplyDelete

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