Turn left to stay on the Orange Trail.įrom here, you’ll follow the orange blazes all the way back to the parking lot. At the 1.6-mile mark, the Potomac Heritage Trail connects with the orange-blazed trail. It’s also a nice spot to toss down a picnic blanket or kick a ball. If you choose to step out to the battlefield, you’ll notice there are several educational placards and benches. A wide-open battlefield will soon be on your left. It’s rather scenic at the top of the bluffs, though quite a steep (if short) hike to the top. Or, like I did, you can turn left on the Orange Trail to hike to the top of the bluffs. Now, it’s a nice relaxing – and flat – walk along the easy-going river banks.Īt the 1.2-mile mark, you can continue straight ahead on the Potomac Heritage Trail. You will cross over a wooden bridge, then reach the Potomac River by the. Re-trace your steps, then follow the blue blazes down the hill. Here you can make a stop at the Ball’s Bluff National Cemetery. Once you’re nearly at the top of the hill, look left – and turn left, if you choose. The Red Trail has now ended, and you are now on the blue-blazed Potomac Heritage Trail. Thankfully, another bench turns up about mid-way up the hill. Look for wooden steps across a creek at the. It’s the perfect spot to relax and recharge. In a few more steps, you’ll reach a comfy bench. 3-mile mark, turn left again to stay on the Red Trail. Turn left to walk down the hill, still following the red blazes.Īt the. 2-mile mile mark, you’ll reach an intersection. The elevation gain is 371 feet, which means there are ups and downs.įollow the red blazes through the woods. While AllTrails rates this hike as easy – and it is mostly easy – this is no flat trail through the woods. It’s next to the Orange Trail (which is where I briefly got turned around). I opted for a 2.6-mile loop that was mostly easy to follow, but a touch confusing at times when it jumped from one trail to another to create a loop around the park.įor this hike, look for the start of the Red Trail on the right side of the parking lot as you enter. With seven miles on the Ball’s Bluff trail map that cross and overlap at this 76-acre historical park, it’s a cinch to create your own hike, or go by an AllTrails map, like I did. From here, it’s a short five-minute walk to the trails. There is also a cul-de-sac to park in at the entrance. If the lot is full, you can parallel park in the neighborhood. There is space for 20+ cars, but given the park’s popularity, it can easily fill to capacity. Take Balls Bluff Road NE to the very end and you will arrive in the parking lot. Trail Statsīall’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park is located at the back of the Potomac Crossing neighborhood of single-family homes in Leesburg. The park sits on the site of the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, a ferocious Civil War clash on a bluff over the Potomac River that took place on October 21, 1861.īattlefield interpreters lead tours that range from introductory (45 mins) to in-depth (90 mins) on the history of this bloody day-long battle between North and South. Situated in Loudoun County, this wooded regional park is well-trafficked on fair-weather weekends, particularly among young families and dog walkers. There are seven hiking trails that criss-cross Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park in Leesburg, including a section of the 710-mile Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
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