Dead Run Hike

Dead Run, just west of Turkey Run Park, is arguably one of the prettiest streams with small waterfalls inside the D.C. Beltway. A short 3.8 mile loop along the Potomac Heritage Trail and Dead Run, this hike is a great walk in the woods if you don't have much time to get out.

In springtime Dead Run is at its peak with several small pools and waterfalls as it flows for the last 1/4 mile into the Potomac River. The Potomac Heritage Trail is also in bloom this time of year with Virginia Blue Bells.

Mile 0.0 – From the C1 Turkey Run parking area, head downhill towards the Potomac Heritage Trail on the yellow blazed trail shortly passing an intersection on your left. Stay straight, the trail becomes steep in 100 yards making several sharp switchbacks, then ends at the Potomac River and intersection of the Potomac Heritage Trail.
Mile 0.2 – Turn left upstream on the yellow and green blazed Potomac Heritage Trail for 0.1 miles.
Mile 0.3 - Cross Turkey Run and stay right on the green and yellow blazed Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT) as it follows the Potomac River. In the spring this section of the Potomac river is awash in Virginia Blue Bells (Mertensia virginica). The PHT winds along the banks of the Potomac River crossing several small streams before reaching the much larger Dead Run.
Mile 1.7 - The PHT crosses Dead Run at this point. Do Not cross Dead Run, but follow the yellow blazed trail along the left bank for 30 yards where it crosses over to the right bank. The yellow blazed trail is not very apparent as this section has been washed out in the last couple of years. Pass several small pools and waterfalls which are the highlight of the hike. In the summer these make great swimming holes as the water is much warmer than the colder mountain fed streams.

Mile 1.8 - Pass under the George Washington Parkway then immediately cross Dead Run back to the left bank. This area is part of Langley Oaks Park and has many interconnecting unmarked trails. Follow the yellow blazed trail markings and you shouldn't get lost. Pass a flatter area and small trail on the right. After passing the first trail reach the next intersection at a small rise. Stay right and pass along a fence marking private property in the Langley Oaks sub-division. Descend through another steep gully and rise to the next intersection. Turn right for 100 yards, then turn left downhill to the next intersection and arrive at Turkey Run.
Mile 3.1 - Turn left downstream on Turkey Run, then where Turkey Run passes under the George Washington Parkway cross Turkey Run, then in 25 yards take the trail right uphill.
Mile 3.3 - Follow the yellow blazed trail uphill and back over to the first intersection you passed at the beginning of the hike.
Mile 3.5 - Turn right uphill for the remaining 0.1 miles to the parking area
Mile 3.6 - Return to the Turkey Run C1 parking area.

By: JMP

3.1 miles / 5.0 km

January 29, 2017

VERY poorly marked, and maintained, the sections off the river, especially the clear cut power line sections south of GW Parkway near Turkey Run. Does anyone know who maintains this section of the trail. PATC? Are there workdays? Could be a very nice fairly rigorous circuit.

Legacy Review

By: Justin V

January 25, 2017

Fine hike considering how close to downtown it is. The portion with the stream is nice, but the rest is pretty plain. Decent hills up and down keep it a little interesting, but for most of it you're just walking through the woods. Def watch out for downed trees - I counted 3 that were basically on the trail, and all required taking 10-15 seconds to be sure which direction to go.

By: Mel

January 15, 2017

This was a robust hike that is close enough to DC to be undertaken last minute, but remote enough to make you feel like you are farther out from the city. Parts of this hike that require rock scrambling and ravine crossing are more 3 than 2, but overall, the trail has a little bit of everything. We started the hike at 8:30am and no on else was there yet. Finished it in 3 hours, but we also walked at a slower pace. There wasn't much birdwatching to be had, but we did see a beautiful Pileated Woodpecker! Strongly suggest hiking footwear and not running shoes.

By: Bryan

December 10, 2016

Hiked this loop with a group as part of our expedition from Fort Marcy Park, through Turkey Run, and on to Dead Run (and back). This trail was surprisingly more challenging that the "2 rating" suggests. We walked up through the rock scrambles before finding yellow blazed on the right side. After walking under the GW Parkway, it became a little confusing as to which way to go next since we did not see the next yellow blaze until completely passing it and doubling-back to retrace our path. The trail also became muddy and slippery the closer we got back to Turkey Run.

By: BobbyB

September 02, 2016

Nice little walk on a Friday afternoon. Didn't have much trouble following the blazes except where the tree fell hiding the marks and obstructing the trail. It was obvious from the disturbed brush that the trail was up a little steep slope.

By: BrianJB

February 07, 2016

The good news - as others have noted, is that this is a nice, short hike inside the beltway. A pleasant hike along the river, and the climb up Dead Run is surprisingly scenic, with several little falls and pools. The bad is the loop back once you cross Dead Run again after passing under the GW Parkway. I don't know if the trail is more obvious during the summer, but for much the return, it's a game of "where the heck is next blaze?" And to echo the review I wish I had read more closely before - there is a place where it seems like the blazes end, and we searched off trail for some time before finally hitting a recognizable path. Finally, be warned that the path crossing one gully is pretty sketchy, particularly when it's muddy.

By: dlaxman31

September 20, 2015

We did this hike around 9am and the parking lot was empty. The weather was perfect since the trail was nice and dry. We were able to manage a majority of the hike until we got to the crossing of Dead Run. The trail isn't marked all that well during this point and it made for a bit more difficult crossing since we went up a bit too far then originally planned. The rest of the hike we were on the correct path until we got around mile 1.8 and under the GW parkway. There were several other trails that took us in a bit of an additional loop but we did end up getting near the fence as mentioned in the directions. From there it was pretty simple and we were able to make it back to the parking lot with no issues. Great hike. FYI: the elevation gain is WAY off. I had about 3.8 miles (with our additional loop) and then had around 500-600 ft of elevation total.

By: Elena

July 12, 2015

This is a nice, easy hike. There's some great water views, and the trail is shady in general. However, just a heads up that the yellow trail is basically entirely washed away around Dead Run (markers and trail alike). As I was hiking by myself and suffer from a severe case of klutziness, I opted to just double back instead of braving what looked like a slippery scramble up by the falls to go under the bridge. When I neared the trail head I decided to do the Turkey Run loop as well, following and eventually crossing the stream further up. Some advice: wear boots and a good dose of insect repellent. There are many smaller pools of standing water (read: mosquito breeding ground) and and the trail is really muddy at the moment due to the rain we've experiences. Also, trail is very dog friendly. Would probably hike this again at another time.

By: Suzanne D.

July 10, 2015

I tried the hike with my daughter a few days earlier, but missed the right bank of Dead Run - went back today and found the barely visable trail along the right bank (very proud of myself). However, I lost the trail again where 2-3 very massive trees were blocking the path. I diverted down a small creek toward the river, but had to climb through a large drainage pipe. I'm going to go back and try one more time going to opposite way. No real trail maintenance and due to the quantity of rain we've been having the trail is really muddy.

By: Erin and Chris

June 28, 2015

It poured like crazy yesterday, so this was a very muddy hike. But also very green and beautiful with stream views (including many stream crossings, which resulted in wet shoes). If you're debating between sneakers and hiking boots, go with the boots. The more waterproof the better. One of my favorite things about this hike in summer: it's super shady. We didn't even need sunglasses. Here's the most important thing we wanted to add, though: one of the trees with a yellow blaze has fallen over across a stream. You can't see the blaze because it's toppled down facing the wrong direction. This comes about half-way through the hike. We found ourselves climbing up steeper areas than had been mentioned in the directions and soon realized we'd missed a blaze and were seeing a "trail" where there wasn't one. As a result, we ended up clambering up a steep mud slick, trying to find another yellow blaze. It all worked out but it was a little confusing/exhausting and we ended up getting a few bee stings before re-discovering the trail. We saw quite a few dogs who seemed to be having a blast, so bring Fido.

By: Felix

September 06, 2014

Did this on a nice Saturday, finished the loop in 2 hours and 35 minutes. Had I not gotten lost at several points, I would have been able to finish in two hours approximately. The trail markings are not very clear especially at mile 1.8. There are several yellow markings in several different directions, I ended up trying 2-3 wrong directions before finally getting the right one. Very tricky. Also, when HU specifically mention 'cross dead run' it means that you need to cross it, even though there is no yellow marking what so ever that suggested it's the point of crossing. You will find the marking, however, after you cross dead run and walk for several yards. Given all the unclear marking and all the mysterious crossings, I felt very satisfied to have been able to complete this trail. This is after all, a nice hidden gem inside the city, with beautiful creek and several swimming holes. I will probably go back here in fall and check my timing (without the 'lost' time). I met several people at several points, however I was the only one doing this loop at that time.

By: Nicolle

June 22, 2014

This was a great hike, the waterfall was absolutely the best part -- and one of the more strenuous areas to cross. But I agree with previous comments that the trail becomes difficult to follow at times, partially because the yellow trail blaze markers are fading or oddly-placed, and partially because the trail itself doesn't seem maintained enough to be a trail. However I wore a GPS watch and was able to determine at what points I needed to be extra vigilant for turns, etc. based on the copy of the Hiking Upward trail map (which was a great help). We made it in about 2 hours.

By: Jimmy

June 21, 2014

This was a great hike but I was unable to complete the hike because I was unable to find the yellow blaze marking once I reached Dead Run. I followed the directions and followed the run on the left side for about 40 yards but couldn't find a blaze marker on the opposite side. I don't know if there may of been a washout or overgrowth covering trail makers. I still had a great time and will give this trail a try again in the fall!

By: UK

June 04, 2014

It is a very pleasant hike with a few steep spots. We took our two year old there who had a very good time hiking and he also enjoyed crossing the streams. The views of the river are beautiful. It is a great after-work hike!

By: Woody

May 24, 2014

If you live in the DC area and don't want to drive 2 hours out to Shenandoah this hike is a fantastic alternative. I took it at a leisurely pace and finished in 90 minutes. The walk along the Potomac on the Heritage trail is quite nice. When you get to Dead Run go up the left bank for ~50 yards (vs. the 30 yards in the description) before you cross. Once you cross Dead Run you turn left to stay on the trail. It can get a little bit confusing as the yellow blazes are somewhat faded. Will definitely do this again.

By: Matt

May 12, 2014

Directions offered were right on and the hike was even more so! The streams and falls made this hike worth getting out and about! I'm looking forward to hitting this trail up again next month to take advantage of the swimming holes.