Add up the miles and the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail (PHT) runs 830 miles between the Potomac River and the Alleghany Highlands in the Ohio River Basin. Compared to the Appalachian Trail which runs 2175 miles from Georgia to Maine the PHST is just a small trail.
In Prince William County (VA) part of the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail runs through the town of Occoquan, Belmont Bay, Leesylvania State Park and ends at Quantico Marine Corps base. Currently only small portions of the trail are open to the public but this week the Prince William County Board approved transfer of a 1.6 acre pacel at next to Veterans Memorial Park and a 3.2 acre parcel next to Rippon Landing Park.
Sections of the trail are finished in Belmont Bay and if you are a dirt bike fan you can find a path that runs from the Belmont Bay area to Veteran's Park (near Featherstone) but if you don't know it's there you won't find it.
As an avid walker and biker who has the benefit of easy access to the paths at the Occoquan Wildlife Refuge the importance of this trail to the communities close by is apparent. With more people looking for ways to leave their car at home a walking and biking trail along this proposed 8 mile stretch would be a great benefit to Prince William County.
I look forward to seeing the new sections of the trail come together and in the meantime I'll enjoy the secret access to the bike trail and watching the seasons change along the Occoquan river on the Belmont Bay section of the trail.
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