Things To Do
|
Newsletter
|
Fraylife+
|
Fraylife+
  • Play

    Play

    • A Beginner’s Guide to Soccer
    • You Spin Me Right Round: D.C. Roller Skating 101 in 2021
    • Leading the League: The WNBA’s Natasha Cloud on Breaking Barriers + Inspiring D.C.
    • Spring Has Sprung: 10 Ways To Get Outside in the DMV
    • Play Week Combines Games + Social Impact
    • High and Go Seek Illustration
    • O Captain, My Captain: Washington Spirit’s Andi Sullivan
  • Life

    Life

    • Local Entrepreneurs Infuse CBD into Wellness
    • 19 Entrepreneurs Shaping D.C.’s Cannabis + CBD Industries
    • Upcycling in D.C.: Transforming a Culture of Consumption
    • The Green Issue: Experts + Advocates Make Case for Cannabis Legalization + Decriminalization
    • The District Derp Story
    • Grassfed Media Champions Cannabis Clients
    • Nat Geo Explorer Gabrielle Corradino on Plankton, the Anacostia + Conservation
  • Eat

    Eat

    • The State of Takeout in the District
    • A New Twist on Food Delivery: MisenBox
    • Next-Level Home Dining Experiences in D.C.
    • Foxtrot Market Is Officially Open for Business in Georgetown
    • Food Rescue + Assistance Programs Fill the Gaps in a Pandemic Food System
    • Hungry Harvest Helps to End Food Insecurity
    • Notable Summer Bar + Restaurant Reopenings to Try this Spring
  • Drink

    Drink

    • Pandemic Drinking: Derek Brown Leads the Way to Low-ABV Future
    • D.C.’s St. Vincent Wine Creates Covid-Conscious Experience
    • A New Way to Binge: Sobriety Anchors Business + Being for Gigi Arandid
    • King’s Ransom + The Handover in Alexandria Celebrate a First Year Like No Other
    • Wines of the World Are Just Around the Corner
    • Open-Air Drinking + Cocktail Delivery Changes in the DMV
    • Denizens Brewing Co.’s Emily Bruno: Brewing Change for Community + Industry
  • Culture

    Culture

    • The Artistry Behind D.C.’s Cannabis Culture
    • The Best Movies of 2021…So Far
    • The Survival of the Brutalist: D.C.’s Complicated Concrete Legacy
    • Plain Sight: A Street-Front Revolution in Radical Arts Accessibility
    • A Touch of Danger in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “Romeo & Juliet”
    • Artgence + Homme: Where There’s Art, There’s a Story to Share
    • 21 D.C. Makers + Curators to Follow
  • Music

    Music

    • Emma G Talks Wammie Nominations and the D.C. Music Community
    • J’Nai Bridges: A Modern Mezzo-Soprano in a Changing Opera Landscape
    • Punk Legends The Go-Go’s Talk Four Decades of Sisterhood, Resilience + Zero Fucks Given
    • Ellen Reid “Soundwalk:” Exploring the Sonic Landscape at Wolf Trap
    • SHAED Releases First Full-Length Album in a “High Dive” of Faith
    • Obama + Springsteen Present “Renegades”
    • Christian Douglas Uses His “Inside Voice” on Pandemic-Inspired Debut Album
  • Events

    Events

    • Play Week 4.17-4.25
    • Midnight at The Never Get 4.30-6.21
    • Cannabis City Panel Presented by BĀkT DC + District Fray
    • Browse Events
    • DC Polo Society Summer Sundays 5.9
    • National Cannabis Festival’s Dazed & Amused Drive-In Party
    • Vinyl + Vinyasa 4.30
  • Fraylife+

Fraylife+
DelFest 2025: Music and Mountains Make Magic Again!
Spring ’25 Spirit Week: Spring Break
People gathering for Union Market's outdoor movie series.
The Complete D.C. Outdoor Movie Guide
Play Free This Summer: Here’s How to Score Big with a Fraylife+ Membership
Get Ready for the 2025 Maryland Craft Beer Festival in Frederick
Johns Hopkins Peabody Performance Series 2025
Home » Articles » Play » Best Hiking Spots for a Date

Play

Photo by Federated Art

Best Hiking Spots for a Date

Share:

September 23, 2022 @ 10:00am | Matt Byrne

Dates are hard to plan, we get it! Whether you’re just getting to know someone or you’re plotting a special day with your long-term person, it’s easy to just default to dinner and a movie and call it a day. We’re here to help plot something a bit more active: a nice romantic nature walk! While the weather’s still nice, make a point to get outside and enjoy a hike or two with your partner, the fresh air will do you good. We’ve handpicked five easy-to-moderate hikes that are a short drive from the metro D.C. area to help get you out in nature.

The National Arboretum

Less of a hike and more of a nature walk, the National Arboretum is a gorgeous park full of impressive arrangements, sculptures, and countless winding trails that circle several different gardens, each developed around a different theme or region. This is a great first step for novice hikers, located northeast of downtown D.C., perfect for those looking for a more tightly controlled environment while still getting that singular feeling of being immersed in nature. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC; usna.usda.gov // @fonarboretum

Prince William Forest Park

The 15,000 acre Prince William Forest Park boasts over 37 miles of hiking trails, with everything from short jaunts on paved and rubberized roadways to more involved trails that journey further into the forest. Plenty of creeks and small waterfalls are dotted throughout the park, which is also known for its lively wildlife population, including plenty of beavers. $20. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 18170 Park Entrance Road Triangle, VA

Northern Peaks Trail at Sugarloaf Mountain

Travel just an hour outside of D.C. for a somewhat demanding hike that features magnificent views and plenty of varied terrain. This 7 mile loop has gorgeous vistas all year round but is especially popular in the fall, as the changing leaves in the Frederick Valley and other surrounding areas make for a stunning autumnal display. Dickerson, MD

White Oak Canyon Trail in Shenandoah National Park

This long, challenging trail in the northern half of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park has some of the best waterfall views in area. Couples willing to commit to this trek, which usually takes over four hours to complete, will be rewarded with a romantic rest area overlooking a waterfall, perfect for a picnic. While it’s certainly not for novices, the views and overall quality of the trail make it one of the best in the region. Luray, VA

Scott’s Run Nature Preserve

Situated right on the Potomac in McLean, VA, Scott’s Run is perhaps the fastest way to see waterfalls from downtown D.C., It’s an easy trip full of accessible views, so it’s understandable that it’s one of the most popular nature trails in the area. A collection of short trails connect to form a larger loop around the park that lead to pleasant (if a bit small) waterfalls, overlooks over the Potomac, and peeks at wildlife, if you’re lucky. 6am to 8pm; 7400 VA-193, McLean, VA

Enjoy this piece? Consider becoming a member for access to our premium digital content. Support local journalism and start your membership today.

Matt Byrne

Share with friends

Share:

Related Articles

<h3>No Articles</h3>
COMPANY
About United Fray Team Hiring: Join Our Team!
GET INVOLVED
Become A Member Corporate Wellness Contact: Media Pitches + Advertising Inquiries
EXPLORE
Eat Drink Music Culture Life Play Events Calendar
OUR CITIES
Washington D.C. Jacksonville Phoenix United Fray
Sign Up

Get the best of D.C. delivered to your inbox with one of our weekly newsletters.

Sign Up

© 2025 District Fray – Making Fun Possible.