Ride Overview
Prince William Forest Park (PWFP) preserves one of the few remaining Piedmont forest ecosystems managed by the National Park Service. Within its 18,000 acres are more than 35 miles of hiking trails, primitive camping areas, a scenic paved road looping through the park, several gravel roads, and abundant wildlife.
For cyclists, Scenic Drive Road offers a welcoming and relatively safe road riding experience. Portions of the loop include a full lane dedicated to cycling, running, and walking, making this an ideal destination for newer riders and families. While this page focuses on the paved Scenic Drive loop, the park also offers gravel roads and even a short section of singletrack built with IMBA support.
The paved road routes at Prince William Forest Park are documented in Best Bike Rides Washington, DC and Best Easy Bike Rides Washington, DC. Gravel and off-road options within the park are covered separately in Mountain Biking Virginia and Mountain Biking the Washington DC/Baltimore Area.
The out-and-back portion of the Scenic Drive loop includes a dedicated lane and is suitable for riders of all ages.
Ride Details at a Glance
Location: Triangle, VA
Length: ~14 miles (can be shortened or extended).
Ride Time: Varies, depending on route and loops ridden.
Ride Type: Road (gravel options also available)
Difficulty: Level 2/Beginner
Ride Notes: The Scenic Drive loop at Prince William Forest Park offers beginner to advanced cyclists a chance to ride on a low-traffic, scenic paved road. In my books, I detail three distinct rides here: a short out-and-back road ride along the designated bike lane, a full 14-mile Scenic Drive loop, and a gravel/MTB route utilizing the park’s unpaved roads.
Beginners can enjoy the out-and-back option, while more experienced riders may opt for one or multiple laps of Scenic Drive. Riders attempting the full loop should be prepared for two sustained climbs along the route.
Route Maps
The interactive route maps below show the Scenic Drive road loop and related routes, allowing riders to explore distance options and elevation profiles in more detail.
The road routes at Prince William Forest Park are documented in Best Bike Rides Washington, DC and Best Easy Bike Rides Washington, DC. Gravel routes are documented in Mountain Biking Virginia and Mountain Biking the Washington DC/Baltimore Area, all of which include additional regional context, access notes, and nearby riding options.