The land that Burke Lake Park now occupies was originally slated for
an international airport in the 1950's, before the site was changed to
what is now Dulles Airport. The park is 888 acres, with the lake at 218
acres. This hike primarily uses the main lake perimeter trail, plus
several sections following unofficial hiking trails closer to the banks
of the lake. The park is very popular with local residents, with the
main trail used by runners, hikers, as well as mountain bikers.
The map trails are marked in 2 colors. Light blue designating unofficial trails near the lake, and light grey for the main lake perimeter trail. The wide lake perimeter trail is paved in several places close to the marina.
- Mile 0.0 – Start the hike from the marina parking area and head towards the snack bar and boat rental shed. Follow the narrow paved road around the back of the shed for 75 yards, then look for a faint unmarked trail that leads off the road towards the lake. This trail continues around the lake perimeter passing picnic benches as well as side trails back to the parking area and main park road.
- Mile 0.67 - Arrive at a side trail that goes out to a view point and bench. Continue along the trail around the lake and enter a small inlet with fishing piers visible on the opposite bank. Pass a parking area on the right, and stay left on the narrow trail until it arrives at the paved main lake perimeter trail at the inlet headwater.
- Mile 1.06 - Turn left on the main paved trail passing a boat ramp and parking area. The paved perimeter trail will pass 4 handicap accessible fishing piers then becomes dirt as it winds around to the lake dam.
- Mile 1.37 - Cross the dam, then 40 yards arrive at a 4 way intersection with another unofficial side trail.
- Mile 1.65 - Turn left on the narrow unofficial trail as it follows the banks of Burke Lake. The trail splits at a small rise. Turn right following the trail around a point, then turn right at the lake through a swampy area, then shortly the trail will end where it meets the wide perimeter trail.
- Mile 2.21 - Turn left on the perimeter trail. For the remainder of the hike remain on the official perimeter trail.
- Mile 2.96 - Arrive at the intersection of a side trail on the left that leads out to the main view on the lake. There is a bench with views of the the dam and marina. Return to the main perimeter trail and continue left. From this point the perimeter trail passes multiple side access trails on the right as it continues around the lake. The 1.5 miles before reaching Burke Lake Rd. has been made into a fitness course.
- Mile 4.59 - Stay left on the trail parallel to the access road, then at the far side stay left on the trail. For the remaining 0.6 miles back to the marina the trail passes the park train, an amphitheater, and frisbee golf.
- Mile 5.2 - Arrive back at the marina parking area.
