Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

8.5 miles (13.6 km) · 424 ft elevation gain · Loop · trail · Route

Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails is a 8.5-mile loop route in Washington, District of Columbia, United States, gaining 424 feet of elevation. The route follows a rolling elevation profile. The terrain breaks into 3 distinct sections including 1 significant climb. The longest climb covers 1.3 miles gaining 227 feet at an average 3.2% grade. Nearly the entire route is runnable at a steady effort. The route opens with a climb and finishes with a descent.

Route facts

Distance	8.5 mi (13.6 km)
Elevation gain	424 ft (129 m)
Average gain	50 ft per mile (9 m per km)
Longest climb	1.3 mi, 227 ft of gain
Steepest climb grade	9.3%
Runnable	98% of the route
Climbs / descents	1 climbs, 2 descents
Profile shape	Rolling
Difficulty score	1.5 of 100
Surface	trail
Route shape	Loop
Type	Route

Grade breakdown

Grade band	Share of route
Flat	76%
Mild uphill	11%
Moderate uphill	2%
Mild downhill	9%
Moderate downhill	2%

Questions about Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails

How much elevation gain does Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails have?

Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails has 424 ft (129 m) of elevation gain over 8.5 miles (13.6 km). That averages 50 ft of gain per mile.

How difficult is Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails?

The difficulty score for Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails is 1.5 of 100. That is harder than 19.3% of routes at a similar distance. About 98% of the route is runnable at typical trail effort; the rest is steep enough that most runners hike.

What is the longest climb on Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails?

The longest climb on Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails runs 1.3 miles (2.1 km) and gains 227 ft (69 m). The steepest climb grade on the route is 9.3%.