W&OD Trail - How Busy on Weekday Afternoons? (Arlington: home, living)

[Alicia Bradley]

I mean the sections surrounding Falls Church and Vienna, and I'm talking at, like, 2:00 p.m. on a Tuesday. Would I feel like I was in a gym class - you know, people immediately behind and in front of me all the way to wherever I was going and back? I'd make sure to get the hell out of Dodge before people started getting home from work...

[OrangeFish]

I haven't gone all the way into Vienna, but I frequent the Falls Church to Arlington section sometimes during the week and it's never been like a "gym class."

[Nancy in Nokomis]

Make sure you take a dog or protection with you if the trial is really empty

[Alicia Bradley]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

Make sure you take a dog or protection with you if the trial is really empty

Um, I'm thinking of living very near the trail (in the City of Falls Church). While I do adore dogs, I hope I don't have to take one with me each time I exit my home!

[Alicia Bradley]

Originally Posted by OrangeFish

I haven't gone all the way into Vienna, but I frequent the Falls Church to Arlington section sometimes during the week and it's never been like a "gym class."

Well, good - but can you give any more detail about just how busy it was? How many others do you tend to see on the trail (just a rough estimate would be a great, if you have one) during a typical one of these runs?

[michgc]

We walk along the trail in Vienna about that time and it's pretty empty. On a 5 minute-walk, I might pass a handful of bicyclists and a couple of other walkers. That's it. It's not bad at all.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

Well, good - but can you give any more detail about just how busy it was? How many others do you tend to see on the trail (just a rough estimate would be a great, if you have one) during a typical one of these runs?

Typically I see maybe 10 to 15 other people.

[claremarie]

The trail will never be completely, or even nearly, empty at 2 pm on a summer weekday afternoon. Lots of people in this area don't seem to work on a 9-5 schedule, and then there are kids on bikes, and moms with strollers, etc. No need to bring a dog for protection.

[normie]

Originally Posted by claremarie

No need to bring a dog for protection.

I've never felt I needed a dog. Several years ago someone gave me a fanny pack so I tried it for a few months. It had a small mace squirter, but I never used it or even had a moment where I thought about using it. I just don't think it's that dangerous. As for the OP's question, I don't really use that section of the W&OD, but in my neck of the woods I would say an average of 5-10 cyclists pass me about every 30 minutes. Sometimes I will go for long stretches without encountering anyone, but usually there are plenty of others out on the trail. Hope that helps.

[athousandlogins]

I've been on the Vienna portion on a sunny weekday a few times before. I'd say the estimate of about 10 other people holds true. It did not feel crowded at all, but it was not truly deserted, either.