Alexandria was a colonial port, home to George Washington, and a Confederate city overlooking the Union capital, Washington, DC. The trail for this Year round event is mainly along the streets of Historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The trail starts at the George Washington Memorial Masonic Temple from which you can see the city of Alexandria and the monuments of Washington DC. It goes by the home of Marquis de Lafayette and the famous "flounder" house. Along the waterfront where ships delivered goods for sale in the northern Virginia area, you can see the Torpedo Factory where torpedos were made during World War II and where art is created and sold today. You will be able to eat in the many fine restaurants along the trail and shop in the many small shops. The trail guide provides historical information on buildings and sites of interest on the trail.
This is the 22nd year for this event and it doesn't get boring.
| Dates: | January 2 - December 31, 2010 |
| Start Point: | George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA 703-683-2007. Location Map This is a self-service start point. Please call to make sure that the start point is open on days with inclement weather. |
| Hours: | Daily 10AM to 4PM, except New Years Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Walk only during daylight hours. |
| Distances/Trails: | The 10KM trail follows sidewalks and paved paths along city and residential streets and through city parks. The walk weaves through historic Old Town Alexandria and along the Potomac River. The trail is rated 2+ and is difficult for wheelchairs and strollers. A shorter 5KM alternative is also available. |
| Award: | There is no commemorative award for this event. Awards from previous Alexandria events will be available as "B" awards. |
| Fees: | The fee for IVV credit will be $ 3. Fee for IVV credit and a B award will be $4. |
| Stipulations: | Pets must be under control at all times and must be picked up after. Pets are not allowed in the start point. Restrooms, water, and food will be available at the start point and along the trail. |
| Special Programs: | This walk may qualify for the Historic Churches, Honoring Law Enforcement, Museums, Railroad Heritage, and Riverwalk America special programs. |
| Contact: | Tom Baerwald 703-765-3128 (home) 703-292-7301 (work) email |
| Directions: |
From the east Via the Capital Beltway(inner loop I-95/I-495): Head west across the Wilson Bridge on the Capital Beltway and take Exit 176B (Telegraph Road/Alexandria). Bear right, yielding to merging traffic in the middle and toward the end of the ramp. *Drive north on Telegraph for 0.3 miles to Duke Street. Bear right onto the ramp to east-bound Duke Street and merge onto Duke, moving to the left lane as you travel 0.4 miles to the traffic signal at Callahan Drive. Turn left on Callahan. ** Drive 0.2 miles to the first left turn at a drive in front of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, which is at the top of the hill. Turn left into the drive and then bear left to follow the road as it leads up to pass the front entrance and ends in a large parking area on the back right (north) side of the memorial. From the west via the Capital Beltway(outer loop I-95/I-495): Take routes of your preference to the Capital Beltway and head east toward the Wilson Bridge. Take exit 176B (Telegraph Road North/Alexandria), yielding to merging traffic in the middle and toward the end of the ramp. Follow instructions from * in the first description above. From the North via US - 1: Take US-1 south through most of Old Town Alexandria. Turn right at Duke Street which is 2 blocks south of King Street. Drive west on Duke for 0.8 miles to Callahan which is the first street after the train underpass. Turn right on Callahan. Follow instructions from ** above. Via Metro: Take the Blue or Yellow lines south into Alexandria to the King Street station. Exit the station and turn left to the first street, King Street. Turn left to walk along King beneath the Metro and railroad tracks to the next street (Callahan St). Carefully cross Callahan with the traffic signal and walk up the many steps to the Memorial on the hill before you. |