coolio

My intent is to come from the S. arlington and get to Georgetown via the Rosslyn area. I come down Col pike, then go behind the navy annex on that downhill next to the Arlington Cemetery. I thought there was a trail that went around the Pentagon to the NW. I think the arlington bike map indicates one. Something about connecting around the Memorial bridge.

I rode down there and there doesn't seem to be one. I don't wanna go down to the crystal city area and catch the trail by National airport.

JimF22003

Can't help you on your specific question, but there's a local forum for WABA where there are some real experienced commuters. Take a look here:

https://bikearlingtonforum.com/forum.php

Consularrider

The trail marked on the Arlington bike map between Washington Blvd and Memorial Dr is actually just a rut in the grass (now marked on the bike map as "unpaved").

cc_rider

There is a trail around the west side of the Pentagon. I usually go to the parking lot opposite Pentagon City Mall. There is a pedestrian tunnel under the highway to the Pentagon south parking lot.
I've never tried it from the Navy Annex. If you continue down Columbia Pike, doesn't it get you to the south lot?
If you can get to the 9/11 memorial, the trail you want runs next to it, along the highway. Takes you to the MVT near Memorial Bridge.

Here's a map from Pentagon City.
https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4592464

ShinyBiker

Did some google digging and came up with this:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=pentag...12,351.66,,0,0

I thought the trail began where the green truck is. However, it seemed to be closed on Sunday. There was some yellow tape around it.

Pentagon is to the right of the white trailers.

ShinyBiker

That's the problem. I can't find the entrance to the trail from the pentagon grounds.

cc_rider

Go to the 9/11 memorial, west side of the Pentagon. The path that runs between it and the road (away from the building) is the one you want.

Same route, different view.
https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4597447

coolio

thanks for all the tips. I went down there again today. Found it!

As someone mentioned, part of it is a dirt trail. Note to self: don't take it on rainy days; could be soggy. You need a suspension fork for a couple of curb drops. Unclipping would be a good idea, too.

Thanks, again.

JCFlack

I claim responsibility for getting the new map changed to show that as unpaved. I e-mailed Arlington's bike people and let them know that it was wrong. But I really wish that they would pave it. They said that it is National Park Service land, and it is NPS who would need to obtain and approve funding to get the job done. But Arlington County stands by to cheer them on, and would help as much as they could.