Biking on Scenic Drive in Prince William Forest Park
There are plenty of biking opportunities—traditional and electric assist—at Prince William Forest Park along the paved and gravel roads. No bikes are allowed on the hiking trails, and there are no specific mountain bike trails other than the gravel fire roads.
Those with road bikes can take the 9-mile park loop road called Scenic Drive. The road starts near the Visitor Center, and two miles from the Visitor Center it forms a 7-mile loop. Though bikers can ride around the loop in either direction, the road itself runs in a counterclockwise direction, as it starts off one-way and remains so for the first half. During this 3.5-mile, one-way stretch, the second lane of the road is used as a two-way bike lane, and this remains available until the turn-off for the Oak Ridge Campground. Why the road doesn’t remain one-way for its entire length, thus allowing for the continuation of the bike lane, is beyond me, but that’s the way it is. It also doesn’t make much sense that the speed limit on the side of the road with the bike lane is 25 MPH, while the side without the lane is 35 MPH. All is fine and dandy for an adult who doesn’t mind getting hit, but I wouldn’t want my children riding on the road without a bike lane, despite the fact that most drivers obey the speed limit.
For those who just want to bike the loop, the closet parking area to the start of the loop is Parking Lot C. If you are looking for the easiest ride, I suggest going around the loop in the counterclockwise direction, as there are definitely more downhill stretches, including a lengthy downhill run between Parking Lot H and I.
Those with mountain or hybrid bikes can tackle the gravel fire roads. Most of these are extremely hilly, and all are out-and-back, so while you will have a great time riding downhill, just remember that you have a very strenuous ride back up. One fire road is so steep that when going uphill my rear tire just spun in the loose gravel and I had to get off and push.
The way the terrain is set up at Prince William Forest Park is that Scenic Drive is situated at the top of a ridge, and the gravel roads fork off of it and head downhill to various creeks, all low points on the terrain. Thus, with few exceptions, from Scenic Drive you will be heading downhill, and you’ll be riding uphill on the way back. To me, all of the trails are strenuous, though the park’s Biking Brochure lists many as easy to moderate. Whoever wrote that is either crazy, never road the trails, or young and in shape.
See the following web pages for complete information on the different fire roads:
I did not bike Mawavi Road, West Gate Road, or Liming Lane.
Gravel fire road in Prince William Forest Park
You are far more likely to see hikers than bikers on the fire roads, for most bikers who come to the park have road bikes and stick to the paved roads. The gravel roads aren’t a big draw for true mountain bikers.
Jogging on one of the gravel fire roads at Prince William Forest Park
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Last updated on April 10, 2024
