Fairfax Cross Count Trail (CCT)
Fairfax County, VA
Trail Liaison: Randy Kerr,
CCT@more-mtb.org
Description
The Fairfax Cross County Trail runs 33 miles through Fairfax County connecting many popular parks, including Riverbend, Wakefield, Accotink and Colt's Neck.
History:
Fairfax Trails & Streams (fairfaxtrails.org) has been the driving force behind the trail with its leader, Bill Niedringhaus, getting credit for conceiving the idea in 1997. The trail’s success can partially be attributed to its not so coincidental routing through every Fairfax County supervisor’s district. MORE’s trail building and maintenance work power on the CCT has led the way in the Park Authority recognizing the value of volunteer labor. MORE is now sought out to lead twice annual worktrips, bringing equestrian, hiking, environmental and neighborhood groups together. The multi-use aspect of the trail is strongly advocated by the Park Authority and the other partner groups.
Trail Description
A planned four mile extension of the CCT through the Laurel Hill (Lorton Prison) area will connect the southern end of the trail to the Town of Occoquan in Prince William County. The northern end of the trail connects to Potomac Heritage Trail running through Great Falls Park, Riverbend Park and on along the Potomac to the Loudoun County line. The CCT and W&OD trails join briefly west of Vienna.
The southern sections of the CCT through Springfield to Fairfax City are more oriented toward asphalt and cinder surfaces with the idea to facilitate commuting. The northern sections from Oakton to Great Falls are intended to remain primarily natural surface. The Park Authority intends to acquire the remaining small easements, have signage on the entire route and provide access to dry stream crossings by June 2005.
The trail was made possible by connecting the flood plain stream valleys, the only place suburbs couldn’t be built. Most of the CCT north of Oakton follows the Difficult Run watershed. South of Fairfax City the CCT picks up the Accotink Stream Valley and then in Springfield switches over to the Pohick Stream Valley.
Directions
Trail Information
Trail Length: 41 miles
Trail Type: Singletrack, doubletrack, paved, and gravel paths
Trail Level: Beginner
Number of Trails: 1, with numerous connector trails
Website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/cct/
Fees: N/A
Park Hours: Park closes at sunset
Night Riding: Not available
References
Trail Map: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/c...verviewmap.htm
GPS Track:
Reston Paths Website
Additional Links
Videos
Photos
Pictures and videos from:
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