November 11, 2025

Where Steam Once Roared: Riding the Historic Washington & Old Dominion Trail

Every rail trail tells a story, but few have a history as rich and vital as Northern Virginia’s Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail. To ride its 45 miles of paved asphalt is to trace a direct line through the region’s past, following a corridor that shaped communities, fueled a war effort, and built the modern suburbs of the nation’s capital. It’s a route I’ve wanted to explore for a long time, and on a perfect autumn day, the FatTire Nomad and the Lectric XPeak set out to pedal through its history.

Historical Context: The Great Railroad of Northern Virginia
The W&OD wasn’t just a railroad; it was the economic engine of Northern Virginia for over a century. Its story is one of ambitious vision, wartime necessity, and eventual transformation.

The Beginning (1859-1940): Originally chartered as the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad, its first train steamed into Leesburg on May 17, 1860. The initial dream was to haul coal from the mountains, but it quickly found its purpose carrying agricultural products—like milk from Herndon’s dairy farms and apples from Loudoun’s orchards—to the markets of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate forces commandeered the line, recognizing its strategic importance. In the early 20th century, it was a popular passenger line, carrying city dwellers out to the Blue Ridge for weekend getaways.

The War Years and Final Decades (1941-1968): World War II marked a major turning point. The war effort brought a surge in freight traffic, particularly building supplies for the booming Arlington area. The demand for transportation was so high that the federal government mandated the temporary return of passenger service from 1943 to 1951 to accommodate workers amid gas and tire rationing. After the war, the railroad shifted almost entirely to freight, hauling sand and gravel for the construction of Dulles Airport and the Capital Beltway. But as highways expanded, the railroad’s relevance waned. The last passenger train ran on May 31, 1951, and the final freight train sounded its whistle for the last time on August 27, 1968, closing the book on the 54-mile line from Alexandria to Bluemont.

From Rails to Recreation

The end of the railroad was the beginning of a new chapter. The right-of-way was purchased by the local power company, and visionaries in the community saw an opportunity. While not the first rail-trail in the country—that honor belongs to trails in the Midwest like the Elroy-Sparta State Trail—the W&OD became one of the most successful urban-to-rural conversions.

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) opened a 1.5-mile test section in Falls Church in 1974. Its immediate popularity fueled a decade-long effort to acquire the full corridor, which was finally completed in 1982. The entire 45-mile path from Shirlington to Purcellville officially opened in 1988, preserving this historic artery for a new generation of users.

The Route and the Ride
Riding the W&OD today is a journey of contrasts. The trail is immaculately maintained—a fully paved 45-mile corridor that cuts a clear path through the heart of Northern Virginia. As a rider who typically prefers the crunch of gravel and the challenge of a dirt track, this much asphalt can feel a bit sterile; the bike almost seems to yearn for a rougher path. But what the W&OD lacks in ruggedness, it makes up for in historical immersion and sheer convenience.

Starting in the east, the trail is a bustling urban artery. This is where the W&OD can feel its most congested, with a constant stream of cyclists, runners, and walkers sharing the path. The scenery here is often a candid look at the backyards of suburbia—the rear of shopping centers, office parks, and residential neighborhoods. It’s a far cry from the sweeping mountain vistas of other Virginia rides.

But as you push west, the character of the trail begins to shift. The hustle and bustle give way to a more relaxed pace. The suburban backdrop recedes, replaced by pockets of genuine beauty—wooded sections that feel surprisingly remote, open farmland that stretches out to the horizon, and charming trailside towns like Vienna and Herndon that offer a welcome break. The final miles into Purcellville are particularly rewarding, as the landscape opens up and you feel the pull of the Blue Ridge just beyond.
Rider’s Takeaway

The W&OD Trail presents a unique proposition for the FatTire Nomad. It’s not a wilderness escape; it’s a ride through a living, breathing suburban landscape, with all the grit and convenience that implies. The pavement is relentless, and at times, you’ll be sharing the trail with what feels like half of Northern Virginia. It’s not the place to go for solitude.

However, to dismiss it for its urban character would be a mistake. The W&OD is a vital piece of living history, a direct link to the industrial past that shaped this region. It’s an incredibly accessible way to cover significant mileage and explore a string of historic towns, all without needing to worry about traffic or navigation. For an e-bike rider, it’s a perfect opportunity to dial back the assistance, get in a good workout, and still have the power to explore every historical marker and side path. It’s a different kind of adventure—one that’s less about conquering nature and more about understanding the layers of history and community that define this iconic corridor.