Walking to Shirlington from Metro Station--which station, best routes? (subdivision, bus)

[Caladium]

We're going to the Capital City Brewing Company Oktoberfest in Shirlington this Saturday. We thought we'd take the metro and then walk from the metro station. We like to walk and are just fine with walking a few miles as long as it's a safe (and hopefully pleasant) place to walk. Any thoughts on which metro station would be the best for this, and which route to walk?

[slim04]

I think the easiest is Braddock Street Metro just walking up Braddock Road. At some point you walk through sides streets in a subdivision called Parkfairfax and there is a pedestrian bring that crosses I-395 directly to Shirlington.

Also, you can go to the National Airport or Crystal City stations, hook up with the Mt. Vernon Trail and then to Four Mile Run Trail, which goes right throw the heart of Shirlington.

[CaliTerp07]

Crystal City or Pentagon City are really the only two options. It's a long walk though--about 3 miles. I looked up google map's walking directions and I'd agree with what they suggest. From Pentagon City it's probably a slightly nicer walk (though hillier)

[pcity]

From Pentagon City, you can walk down Army Navy Dr. to Glebe then take the Four Mile Run trail to Shirlington. It's 3-ish miles. Not the nicest walk since Army Navy parallels 395, but does have sidewalks from what I can remember, and Army Navy itself is fine to walk along.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by slim04

Also, you can go to the National Airport or Crystal City stations, hook up with the Mt. Vernon Trail and then to Four Mile Run Trail, which goes right throw the heart of Shirlington.

This is a bit longer than going to Pentagon City, but it is nicer since it's all on trails not roads. From Crystal City, you can connect to the Mt. Vernon Trail between 15th and 18th on Crystal Drive. Not sure how to connect from the airport.

[hilsmom]

Hmm, I think this plan is rather nuts and would recommend you look into the bus schedules. There is a big bus stop in Shirlington now and a bunch of lines run there. It might be better for AFTER the beer, but please keep it as an option.

[HokieFan]

The Crystal City stop is closer than the Braddock Road metro. Also, Braddock Road itself is a looongg hill. I like to walk as well but personally, I would take a cab from either of those metro stops instead making the hike to avoid being sweaty.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

I think this plan is rather nuts

Why? It's only a 3-4 mile walk.

[Caladium]

Hmmm.... y'all do make a good point, since we want to have plenty of energy to walk around Shirlington a bit (never been there, so we want to explore) plus maybe do some dancing at the Oktoberfest. Also, never done the Mt. Vernon Trail and wonder if it might have a lot of cyclists, especially on a nice Saturday in autumn. I don't mind sharing a trail with a few cyclists, but sometimes when there are a lot it doesn't feel safe for walkers. Or maybe we'll try walking to the Oktoberfest and take a bus back.

[Matt2789]

Shirlington is a long hike from any Metro Station. It would probably take you about an hour from the Crystal City Metro. Perhaps you could take a bike share as there is a bike share station both near the Crystal City Metro and one in Shirlington. Would be about a 15 minute ride on some lovely bike trails for you.