Great Falls Park · Fairfax County, VA
Difficult Run
Stream trail descending from Georgetown Pike (Rt 193) down to the Potomac at Mather Gorge. Less crowded than the main Great Falls overlooks. The Difficult Run trailhead lot on Georgetown Pike is outside the Great Falls Park fee zone — free to access.
Live · updated
Today
Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.
Primary activity: hiking
Great Falls will be without running water from Monday, April 27 through Friday, May 5 due to a contractor replacing the sewage lift station pumps. Visitors should come prepared with water to drink and while the restrooms will be closed there will be portable toilets available.
Restrooms located at the North intersection of Old Carriage Road Trail and Matildaville Trail are closed due a water leak. There are portable toilets available at this location.
The Aid Box rock climbing area is temporarily closed due to a recent rock topple.
Conditions
Score by activity
Hiking
Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.
Trail running
Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.
Dog walking
Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.
Score breakdown
- · 45°F air — Within comfort range, outside ideal
- ✓ AQI 33 — Clean air
- ✓ Trail: prime — No meaningful rain in the last 48 hours. Trail surface is dry and tacky — prime traction.
Trail facts
- Distance
- 3.8 mi round-trip
- Elevation gain
- 450 ft
- Surface
- dirt
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Typical crowds
- moderate
- Dogs
- Leash required
Trailhead
Parking
Trailhead lot .
Facilities
No bathrooms . Free trailhead at Georgetown Pike; entering the park by car at the main gate is $20.
Coordinates
38.9889, -77.2471 — Fairfax County, VA.
Park
Part of Great Falls Park (official site →).
Park advisories
If parking lots become full, there will be a temporary closure of the park entrance at Georgetown Pike & Old Dominion Drive. The park entrance will re-open as soon as space becomes available. For updated information about parking, call Visitor Center at 703-757-3101