Explore the Civil War Defenses of Washington Hiker-Biker Trail

Fort Dupont on a winter day.

NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas

Hike or mountain bike the 7-mile trail from the Fort Stanton to Fort Mahan and take in scenery that ranges from urban greenspaces to forest ecosystems. Hikers can enjoy periodic escapes into nature and bikers can challenge themselves on the mountain-biking terrain, all while recreating along a historic landscape once home to a circle of Civil War forts.

Details

Duration

1-5 Hours

Activity

Hiking

This trail can be hiked. Although biking is allowed the terrain is unpaved, uneven, and may have sharp turns and declines/inclines. Please use caution. If biking, an off-road/mountain bike may be the best choice. 

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

All pets must be kept on leash. 

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail

Address: 4150 Alabama Ave SE, Washington, DC 20019
Geographic Coordinates: 38°52'20.9"N 76°56'24.9"W

North Trailhead: SW Corner of Hunt Place NE and 42nd Street NE
GPS Coordinates: 38.901812"N, -76.942603"W

South Trailhead: Fort Ricketts – Across from 1901 Fort Pl SE, Washington, DC 20020
GPS Coordinates: 38°51'26.5"N 76°58'30.2"W

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

The trail is open from 6am to 10pm.

Accessibility Information

Parking & Trailheads: There are numerous locations where the trail can be accessed from. These crossings usually have a crosswalk available, and some may have street parking directly next to the trail.  Fort Dupont Park has 2 parking lots (Fort Dupont Drive) and a parking lot at the Lanham Estates Picnic Area off Alabama Avenue (open seasonably). 

Bathrooms – There are limited bathrooms along the trail.  

Natural surface – The trail is mainly nature surface (dirt, gravel) and may have tripping hazards or downed trees. Some sections are along a sidewalk, street crossing, or a paved multi-use path. Outside of the short, paved sections of trail, the trail is not suitable for standard road bikes.  Mountain bikes and specialized wheelchairs for trails would be required.  Motorized bikes or ATVs are not permitted.   

Difficulty – the trail ranges from easy to moderately difficult depending on skill and physical fitness levels.  Between the North trailhead and Marion Barry Avenue SE the trail is flat or contains areas with slight hills or rolling terrain.  Between Marion Barry Avenue SE and the South Trailhead, the trail climbs steadily over somewhat steep terrain and there is an area with two bridges that have steps.  Bikers may need to dismount to navigate these bridges, but wheelchair users are unlikely to be able to navigate the bridges on this section of the trail. 

The spur from the main trail to the remains of the earthworks at Fort Dupont and a seasonal parking area at Lanham Estates Picnic area is steep and moderately difficult.   

Other accessibility features: No potable water is available at the site.