Doug and I are passionate about the First Day Hike; the tradition of getting outside in your home state on January 1 to enjoy nature and move. In Virginia, the weather in winter is usually fair and we’ve been lucky to have mostly warm days. Occasionally we modify plans and go a day before or after January 1 to take advantage of drier or warmer weather. 2023 we lucked out with a balmy 60-degree day.
What’s the Hiking GOAL?
I’ve recently been inspired to complete the Virginia Bucket List Hikes (we’ll call it GOAL – Goodman Outdoor Adventure List) by the end of 2024. There are 27 locations and we’ve been to 5 already so we’re well on the way. Since we’re “empty nesters” with family along the route to some of the best mountain hikes, it seems like a perfect way to enjoy this stage of our lives.
Since Great Fall Park in McLean, Va is first on the Virginia Tourism list, we chose it for our First Day Hike. Since that area is notorious for terrible traffic, there was an added benefit going on New Year’s Day – no regular workday traffic nor holiday congestion on the beltway.
We arrived around 10:00 a.m. and bought our National Parks Annual pass on the way in for $80 and are excited to put it to good use in 2023! The ranger recommended parking in the visitor’s center lot and hiking the River Trail. The visitors center was closed for renovations but the first-floor bathrooms were open.
Just beyond the visitor center, we were immediately rewarded with the hike’s most scenic view. The observation deck for the falls is easily accessible and truly amazing. I’ve lived in Virginia for 45 years and had NO idea that this amazing prize is in the heart of NoVa. It’s a short drive off the beltway just north of Tyson’s Corner on Georgetown Pike. From the parking lot, the sight is accessible for anyone who is able to walk the distance into a grocery store from a parked car.
Best Place to Impress Visitors in Northern Virginia
I was not prepared for the grandeur of these falls. The natural beauty of the experience told me I never appreciated northern Virginia the way I should. If I still lived nearby, this would be the first place I bring out-of-town guests and the place I’d visit regularly for doses of nature.
Visitors experience the “grand finale” at the outset so it is a homerun sight! No matter the energy level or enthusiasm for a hike, this is a great view for almost anyone. But if you have a more adventurous group that wants to explore more, the River Trail continues to amaze. Walking downriver, the terrain becomes narrow, rocky, and less suitable for those with mobility concerns.
The River Trail followed the Potomac River south until it made a sharp bend east. The path is elevated high above the river and only one point does it get close to the water, at Sandy Landing. Park rules strictly forbid swimming and wading even in places where the water seems calm so the river is purely for admiring on this hike. We continued on Ridge Trail until the river took a sharp bend to the east and then returned on the Matildaville Trail where there were some interesting remains of a town from the 1790s.
The round trip was about 5 miles and mostly easy hiking, with beautiful scenery. I want to return to this place regularly – it is truly a gem.
Post-Hike Lunch
There were no restaurants between the park and the beltway (495) so we had to wait to get lunch. We drove beyond the usual I-95 sticking points in that area and ate like commoners at Panera (still delicious!). Next time, we’ll pack some lunch and enjoy the park longer.
Insider Secrets
Driving on Georgetown Pike, we noticed several county parks and those parking lots appeared to be full. I suspect those with more knowledge of the area were parking in the local (free-entry) lots and hiking trails into Great Falls Park. River Bend Park is above Great Falls and a 1.5-mile trail connects to Great Falls Park. A wise move for residents who go there often!
National Parks Annual Pass is a GREAT Investment
Since we are going for a large number of hikes this year in a national park (Skyline Drive), I don’t regret the purchase of the annual pass. For single-sight seers, the easy access to the stunning falls is well worth the $20/vehicle entry fee. Other national parks charge $30 per vehicle so if you may go to more in the year, the annual pass will be a big savings.