I recently found yet another system of trails in and around the Reston area. I had known about a small portion of the 'unnamed trail' behind the school, as I would occasionally take some of my students out there for nature walks. What I did not realize is that trail has many cross connections with an equestrian trail and other trails that wind through the central wooded region of 'old' Reston. I credit the Reston Runners with providing two opportunities to discover different parts of them by having a few cross-country runs on the Saturday schedule. Just plain curiosity showed me the rest of the trail after work one day.

There are several starting places for the trails. If you park in the first lot on the left, you will see a recreation center (pavilions) with paved paths around them. These do lead to some of the trail, but for only a short segment, so it's not really worth starting here. If you walk back out to the entrance road and face Foxmill road, you will see posts for the equestrian trail on either side. I strongly discourage going on the right- hand trail. It is very rugged with treacherous footing, going just a short distance back to the pavilions. The trail on the left is really easy to follow, but does have one creek crossing (easy . . . no need to get wet). It then goes up a really steep hill and you have two choices: continue going up or make a left.

I went left (needed to catch my breath!). There is a loop of about 1000 meters that ends up skirting a small home and barn area and returns you to the first flat path.

If you retrace your steps to where the path goes up to the right, you can re-cross the creek to your left and explore a system of intertwined trails wedged between Foxmill neighborhood homes and the school/park grounds. It emerges at different roads, sometimes continuing on the other side of the street, sometimes ending. When it does continue, some entrances are well hidden, but worth looking for. Occasionally you have to run on the asphalt paths to find the next continuation. I have not followed them all the way, but I believe they hook up to the system of trails along the creek in the heart of the Glade Drive section of Reston, which also has paved paths that are frequently used for Reston Runners weekly runs. I believe this because I saw the entrance from the paved paths during one of the group runs. If you follow the creek path out to Twin Branches (a road) and cross it, you will see it continues all the way through to the W&OD just east of Sunrise Valley Elementary.

This, of course, would be an out and back section, which brings me back to multiple areas to park. You could also park in Crossfield's parking lot (follow the entrance road as far as it goes) and find ways to enter either off the parking lot or at the back of the playing field, avoiding the equestrian part entirely. Or you can park at Sunrise Valley Elementary, or the Glade Nature center, or even the pool on Twin Branches. You get the idea.

These trails get a "2" Muddy Shoe rating, particularly if you try to make a long run out of it (longer than one hour), due to the need to discover the various twists and turns to keep going. If you stick to the area in and around Foxmill District Park, you can get a very pleasant 45 to 60 minutes of trail running with a little backtracking and repeating some sections to reach a new area. You will occasionally see the school grounds as you wind around, which can be reassuring to novice runners, or if a storm is brewing. There are no amenities, and they are multi-use which also contributes to the lower overall rating. However, don't let that discourage you from exploring this hidden treasure, particularly if you live or work near the area. You won't be disappointed.