Melvin Hazen–Glover-Archbold–Whitehaven–Rock Creek Loop

This counterclockwise loop explores the trails around Woodley Park and the National Cathedral. It’s tricky to follow with a lot of road crossings, and a bit of pavement at the end.

Distance
  • 8.1 miles
Running time
  • hours
Total ascent/descent
  • 825 feet
    105 feet/mile
Start/finish
GPX file
What to wear

Directions

From Peirce Mill, take the Melvin Hazen Trail across Connecticut Ave and continue to Reno Rd. Take Reno to Van Ness St and follow that uphill across Wisconsin Ave. Continue for a few blocks before picking up the Glover-Archbold Trail. Take Glover-Archbold south to the second intersection with the Whitehaven Trail. Take a left onto Whitehaven and follow through Whitehave Park. Cross Wisconsin Ave and continue on Whitehaven Trail through Dumbarton Oaks down to Rock Creek. Follow Rock Creek upstream and emerge onto a paved bike path near Woodley Park and the Taft Bridge. From here follow the paved bike path back to Peirce Mill.

Last updated June 18, 2020

What you do is up to you, but you shouldn't rely on these directions alone; they are often not specific enough to navigate by, and may be incorrect or out of date. Review a map beforehand and carry it with you. Tell a friend where you are going and when you plan to return. Do not count on having cell phone service while on the run. The VHTRC is not responsible for your welfare on any of these runs. If you go on one of these runs and get lost, run out of water, get injured, mauled by a bear, or die, or if anything else goes wrong, it's your fault; not ours. You assume all risks here and the VHTRC assumes none at all. Legal issues aside, some of these runs are more remote than others and the VHTRC is not suggesting that you do any of these runs, unless you are prepared to accept full responsibility for yourself.