the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Prince William County
Source: National Park Service, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Prince William County
Source: National Park Service, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail was authorized in 1983 as a component of the National Trails System. It is a unit in the National Park System, but trails will be owned and managed dirctly by other entities. The National Park Service has partnership agreements involving 36 agencies and organizations.
By 2022, approximately 822 miles already existed of the planned 929-mile trail, including some points of access to the Potomac River. Creating a consistent identity for the 830-mile trail network will be accomplished through creation of a graphic "identity," with consistent fonts, colors, and styles for the signage.1
consistent signage identifies segments of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail which are managed by different organizations
Source: National Park Service, Strategic Partnership Plan for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail 2022–2027
existing and new boat launches are planned along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in downtown Alexandria
Source: Northern Virginia Regional Commission, Long Distance Trails in Northern Virginia and Washington
The initial route of the trail was not expected to be the final route. To provide a path for hikers and bikers in urbanized areas of Northern Virginia, much of the trail was aligned in the beginning with existing shared use paths and sidewalks.
Over time, new connections are planned through less-developed corridors. The planning is aspirational rather than constrained. For example, even before the Commonwealth of Virginia negotiated a purchase of CSX right-of-way in Prince William County, the trail was planned to cross over three creeks using new railroad bridges. Those plans were updated as the county created a boardwalk to cross Neabsco Creek and planned a comparable structure over Powell's Creek.
in Prince William County, planners anticipate moving the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail onto new railroad bridges crossing Neabsco, Powells, and Quantico creeks
Source: Northern Virginia Regional Commission, Long Distance Trails in Northern Virginia and Washington
new railroad bridges could be designed to carry the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail across creeks in Prince William County, but boardwalks in county parks offered an alternative
Source: National Park Service, Leesylvania State Park
chronic noise levels are three decibels (dB) above natural levels for all trail segments in Northern Virginia
Source: National Park Service and National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Risk Map: Mapping Anthropogenic Night Light and Noise