Click here for driving directions to the start of the walk.

This walk will take you along the route of an old government railroad for several blocks. It then turns to follow a new trail across South Run to connect to the Pohick Creek Valley. This is part of a new section of the Cross County Trail that connects the previous terminus at Pohick Road with the Occoquan River. Be prepared to climb several hills as you cross the stream valleys. There is one stream crossing on columns.

  1. (North) The walk starts at the corner of Silverbrook Road and White Spruce Way. This is diagonally across the streets from the detour section of trail around the former Lorton Prison. Follow the asphalt trail north away from Silverbrook Road and paralleling White Spruce Way. The site to the left is a planned elementary school.
    (South) The walk ends at the intersection of Silverbrook Road. Should you wish to continue on the next section of trail cross to the other side of Silverbrook Road and follow the detour section of trail around the prison watchtower.
  2. (North) The trail crosses Paper Birch Drive. There are numerous new homes here and this road was just paved a few minutes before the picture was taken on April 20, 2006. The walk continues as it follows a gully down the hill.
    (South) The trail crosses Paper Birch Drive. Continue along the trail on the other side as it follows White Spruce Way. An elementary school is planned for the area on the right side of the trail.
  3. (North and South) A short side trail crosses the gully and passes between the homes on the other side. Continue on the present trail.
  4. (North) The trail crosses Laurel Crest Drive. Continue straight on the trail on the other side.
    (South) After a short distance the trail crosses Laurel Crest Drive. Continue straight on the other side.
  5. (North) After a short distance an asphalt trail intersects from the left. Turn left and follow that trail up the hill.
    (South) The trail ends at an intersecting trail. Turn right and follow that trail up the hill.
  6. (North) The trail crosses Bluebonnet Drive. Continue on the trail on the other side as it turns to the right after passing the houses.
    (South) The trail turns to the left and passes between the houses and crosses Bluebonnet Drive. Continue straight on the trail on the other side.
  7. (North) An asphalt trail intersects from the right. Turn right and follow that trail down a long hill into the South Run Stream Valley.
    (South) After climbing up a long hill the trail ends at an intersecting asphalt trail. Turn left to continue up the hill on the intersecting trail.
  8. (North and South) The trail crosses South Run on columns. Watch your footing as the tops of the columns are slightly rounded.
  9. (North) The trail climbs a hill to leave the stream valley.
    (South) The trail descends a hill to enter the stream valley.
  10. (North) The trail descends a shorter hill on the other side.
    (South) The trail climbs a short hill.
  11. (North) The trail reaches the back of homes along Creekside View Lane. It turns right to reach that road.
    (South) The trail turns left to leave the back of homes along Creekside View Lane. Pohick Creek can be seen below on the left.
  12. (North) The trail turns left upon reaching Creekside View Lane and connects to a concrete sidewalk. Follow that sidewalk down the street.
    South) The concrete sidewalk ends where it connects to an asphalt trail. Follow that trail as it curves right into the woods.
  13. (North) The official trail route follows the street rather than the sidewalk down to Pohick Rd. Leave the sidewalk prior to the fire hydrant and walk next to the street down to its intersection with Pohick Road.
    (South) After walking up the hill next to the street walk over to the concrete sidewalk just past the fire hydrant in order to get out of the road.
  14. (North) Cross Pohick Road at the intersection with Creekside View Lane and turn right to follow the asphalt trail on the other side. There is no crosswalk painted at this point.
    (South) Follow the asphalt trail to the intersection with Creekside View Lane (the first street after crossing the bridge) and cross Pohick Road at this point to walk up the side of Creekside View Lane. There is no crosswalk painted at this point.
  15. (North) After crossing the highway bridge over Pohick Creek the CCT turns 180 degrees past the fence and goes down the hill via a dirt trail to reach the asphalt trail below. The CCT will turn right to follow the creek along an asphalt trail at that point. This marks the end of this section of the walk so you may now retrace your steps if you don’t plan to continue on the CCT.
    (South) If you have finished the previous section of the CCT walk up the dirt trail next to the Pohick Road bridge and turn 180 degrees at the top to follow the asphalt trail across the bridge and along Pohick Road for a short distance.

 

Pictorial Directions

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