Georgetown Reservoir – Potomac Palisades Parkway loop from Georgetown University

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

District Of Columbia

Georgetown Reservoir – Potomac Palisades Parkway loop from Georgetown University

Easy

2.8

(2)

hikers

Georgetown Reservoir – Potomac Palisades Parkway loop from Georgetown University

01:38

5.92km

100m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 5, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

421 m

Georgetown Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

The Georgetown Reservoir, built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1800s, remains an important part of Washington, D.C.'s water supply. The reservoir is easily seen from MacArthur Boulevard, where a sidewalk offers excellent views of its expansive waters and birdlife. Nearby, the Palisades Trolley Trail provides a scenic natural escape, ideal for spotting sparrows, warblers, and other birds during migration. Visitors can explore the historic Georgetown Castle Gatehouse. Pets are welcome on leashes, and parking is available along MacArthur Boulevard.

Tip by

1.37 km

Potomac Palisades Parkway

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Potomac Palisades Parkway is 4.9-acre in size and was acquired back in 1994. It overlooks the Potomac River in the Glen Echo area. The land was set aside for environmental preservation and is not developed.

Tip by

2.90 km

Wesley Heights Park

Nature Reserve

4.34 km

Foundary Branch Creek

Highlight • River

Example of the rough trails here for a run

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Tip by

5.92 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.66 km

1.98 km

121 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.66 km

1.53 km

395 m

280 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (100 m)

Lowest point (30 m)

Weather

Today

Wednesday 7 October

22°C

8°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 26, 2024,🇺🇲 Wenn das Schöne ist so nah 🥾🥾😃 - grünes Washington 🌳🌲🌿

Practically on your doorstep is the green idyll 🌿🌲🌳 of Palisades Park, Wesley Hights Park and Glover Archbold Park, which invite you to take a short but beautiful hike 🫶🏼😍. The parks flow into one another so that sometimes you can't even tell whether you've been in one park or another 😅. But whatever, Washington definitely has an incredible amount …

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