Anacostia River Trail: Bladensburg Waterfront to The Wharf and Back

Check back frequently. The event date may change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.

This route is about 10 miles one way. Participants have the option to turn back at any time - it's easy to navigate your way back. This route is hairpin shaped because we’ll return back on the north side of the river for a couple miles before taking a bridge back to the other side.

BIKE RENTALS
Rentals are available at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park visitor center. You can reserve online before the date.

PARKING
Plenty of parking available at the park. Go all the way to the circle to see if you can get closer parking.

DIRECTIONS
You can put in “Falafel Inc” at 1040 Maine Ave SW, Wash DC as your destination point in a nav app that lets you choose “biking” as your mode of transportation. It should put you on the trail all the way and have you cross the Frederick Douglas Bridge and go left past the Audi arena towards the Potomac River.

The trail is paved all the way so road bike, hybrid, mountain tires and e-bikes will work. Mostly flat, but it has a couple of rolling hills. Some boardwalks on both sides of the river.

Meet us at the train caboose area (next to the visitor center). The trail will wind behind the visitor center and go along the river.

The trail heads south to The Wharf in DC. (If anyone wants to take a side trail to see the Kenilworth Gardens, let us know so we can show you the entry point). We hug the river at the beginning and pass it again at the last 3 miles down. We pass by Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, go thru fields, parks, a train track overpass bridge, and the Anacostia River Park - where we may start to see boats and yachts on the river. We'll take a couple of stops to enjoy the views and wait for riders to catch up.

At the end of the Anacostia River Park, we’ll go leftwards towards the new Frederick Douglass Bridge which may tempt you to take some photos. After crossing, we’ll pass through the Audi Arena and turn left to take a break at the Titanic Memorial at the waterfront. We’ll then go to the Wharf which will require dismounting our bikes once we get to the busier areas.

ONE HOUR BREAK
We’ll take a break to explore the Wharf boardwalk piers, shops, fountain areas, and to eat/drink, rest, and socialize.
(Organizers: Keryn and Muddasar will eat at Falafel Inc. They have a $5 falafel salad bowl. All are welcome to join us or go their own way for the break.) Meet at 1:00 at [location to TBD] to head back.

RETURN

We’ll head up on the west side. Go slowly through The Yards district and enjoy the landscape, sculpture art, river views etc.

Right after the Navy Yards district boardwalk —-be aware of the large pavers in front of the Navy Yard (after crossing the narrow inlet bridge) — many pavers have wide, deep gaps in between them so bike tires can get stuck while riding, causing a flip or fall

Halfway up, we’ll take Benning Rd bridge across to the east side, then turn right and right again to get back to Bladensburg Waterfront Park.

REQUIRED
Participants must wear a helmet while riding.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Water bottles, electrolytes, gloves, spare tire, sunglasses/bike cap, pocket or travel pouch, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, backpacks
Bike bell (they’re good for letting people know you’re approaching from behind).
Bike rentals are available at Bladensburg Waterfront Park but you need to check in ahead.

Participation is at your own risk

BATHROOMS
Bathrooms available at the park and at The Wharf Boardwalk area, as well as the Navy Yard area where we’ll be stopping to enjoy river views

BIKE REPAIR
Bike repair options are at the visitor center and at The Wharf boardwalk in DC