Be a Bridge Commander: The New Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail

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IF YOU BUILD IT, they will bike it — or walk it or jog it. Trailblazers are always hungry for a new route, and they got a beaut in the new 1.1-mile stretch alongside the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, which connects Old Town Alexandria to the National Harbor development in Prince George's County. Here's our spin on the trip:

» Getting There
The Virginia side is a cinch to access from the Mount Vernon Trail. Just head south from Rosslyn. When you arrive in Old Town, follow the bicycle signage along North Washington Street that leads you to a half-mile path that winds to the mouth of the bridge. (Currently, no trails connect to the Maryland side.)

» The Ride
Whether you're on foot or wheels, don't rush the trip. As you're headed into Maryland on the wide lanes (enough room for riders to zoom two abreast), a mesh-style wall lets you scoff at cars on your right, and a chest-high railing at your left makes it safe to gaze at the Potomac without toppling into it. Three overlook locations offer resting spots for an extended gander. Bonus: Free telescopes let you spy on passing boats.

As you reach your destination, the packed gravel morphs into seashell bits, and a sign directs riders to dismount and pull over at two large temporary bike racks. Then you're free to show off your glorious helmet hair.

» The Reward
The first-come, first-served patio at Rosa Mexicano is one option for ripe riders. Staffers have even been known to offer napkins to wipe chain grease off riders' legs.

TRAILS TO YOU
Looking for more paths for wheeling and walking? There are options beyond the popular mainstays of the Capital Crescent, Mount Vernon and Custis trails. See Waba.org/areabiking for a full list of what the area has to offer — including some new routes.

In May, Arlington County opened a 3/4-mile extension of Four Mile Run Trail, creating a smoother connection between the bustling Shirlington restaurant corridor and the South Arlington trail that intersects the Mount Vernon Trail.

And the most anticipated trail opening of the fall is the Metropolitan Branch Trail. A mile stretch of the 8-mile project, from Silver Spring to Union Station, is set to open between New York Avenue and Brookland. It’ll be completely separate from traffic, going over Florida Avenue and under New York Avenue, says DDOT's Jim Sebastian. Updates can be found at www.metbranchtrail.com.

Photos by Mark Gail/The Washington Post; Kris Coronado/Express