CCR’s Favorite Gaithersburg Area Running Routes
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
By: Morgan McHenry & Hannah Flinchum, Charm City Run Gaithersburg Team Members
Two of our Charm City Run Gaithersburg Team Members Morgan and Hannah have compiled their top places to run in the Gaithersburg area. Check them out below and make sure to stop by the store if you’re in the area!
1. Seneca Creek State Park
- Many different trail options, beginner to advanced loops
- Scenic and goes around a beautiful lake
- Easy access
- Home of the stone mill 50 mile race
2. Capital Crescent Trail
- Trail head in Bethesda
- Take it into to DC and continue on with a Monument Run and metro back OR
- Run to the Washington Monument and back (20 miles)
- Shorter run to Fletcher’s Boathouse
- Paved trail
3. Lake Needwood (part of Rock Creek Park)
- An escape from the city
- Beautiful paved trail from Rockville you can take to the DC boundary
- There is free parking and bathrooms, and the rock creek trail is shaded as it winds through parks and goes all the way into D.C.
- The Montgomery County Road Runners Parks Half Marathon takes place on this trail.
4. C&O Canal
- Flat and gravel trail that takes you right to Great Falls
- Stretching almost 200 miles alongside the Potomac River between the nation’s capital and Cumberland, Maryland.
- Home to many races including the C&O canal 100.
- The closest parking lot from Gaithersburg is Lock 24 “Rileys”/Seneca Parking, but other popular parking spots include Anglers Parking (also entrance to Billy Goat trail section B) Carderock South Parking lot (also the entrance to the Billy Goat trail section C).
5. Cabin John Trail
- Natural trails as well as a 2 mile paved trail loop
6. Clopper Lake Shore Trail at Seneca Creek State Park.
- Try this 3.7-mile loop is an easy trail that loops around Clopper lake.
7. Little Bennett Regional Park trails–
- Home of CCR’s Froggy Hollow Race!
8. Kentlands Lakes and neighborhoods
- Running around the Kentlands lakes and neighborhoods, where our Charm City Run Gaithersburg store is located.
- Join us for one of our weekly Pub Runs on Thursdays at 6PM!