I’ve also posted this question in Off-Course:
Any of you great COTHer’s out there have a map of the trails in Clifton, VA? I’ve seen one from 1984 put out by the Clifton Horse Society, but I’m wondering if anyone has a personal map they’d like to share? I have contacted CHS – but they said they don’t keep maps of the trails anymore and I should check with regular riders in the area. Anyone??
Is there a particular area you are interested in? There aren’t very many left. The best trails are the ones over near Fountainhead, Hemlock, or Bull Run Marina. You can pick up some trails off of Willowbrook, but if you don’t live on Willowbrook, they are difficult to get to.
Living in a subdivision on the power lines makes things easier. English Hills still has decent access, as well. There is a loop around singing woods/yates ford road, but it is pretty boggy, rocky, and has some barriers nowadays. (One area has a such a deep bog my horse pulled a back shoe, but there is barbed wire, and you can’t avoid it.) I got yelled at the last time I went out on it, as the trail skirts a subdivision, and it is either walk a ways on cement, or the edge of someones yard. There are some along Wolf Run Shoals road, but the cars go so fast they make me nervous.
There used to be so many. Now they are few and far between. If you can find trails to link you to the parks, those are still very nice.
If you go down to the end of Lakewood Lane (off of Wolf Run Shoals near Henderson) around the corner, past the large pond on the left and a house with barn & ring on the right, as you go up the hill there is a bank at the top. Good trail there off to the right that goes over to the ones through the area around Willowbrook.
Unfortunately, we’ve never found any other access to it or connecting trails and ride it as a loop.
We used to be able to ride out of our place on Clifton Road, go across from Holly Forest down Beachplum through the development right behind Davis’ store to go on their trail around to come out on Wolf Run right before the power line, cross over and ride the wider shoulder there down to Lakewood but someone has cut down trees along the part of the trail we could get to and blocked our access. It’s very rideable after the downed trees and is a nice trail that connects to lots of trails and all the way over to Shadowalk. It goes around the development on Hunting Horse.
The trail goes from Wolf Run Shoals paralleling Silverleaf and at the end of Silverleaf you pass a barn in the woods with a gray arab and a bay horse just after the downed trees. I think the owner of that place is on Clifton Horse Society’s board.
The house we are looking at is at 7429 Clifton Rd., about two miles past the little town of Clifton . Just past Custis Acres Dr. but before Swift Run Trails. I heard there were trails down the little road this house is on, but I’ve walked it and I think development has taken over as I don’t see any way through there. Anyone been out on the trails here or the Swift Run trails???
I used to live on Amkin Drive, so just about across Clifton Road from the property you’re talking about. In fact, Swift Run ran through the back of my property. There are trails you can access from Amkin Drive that follow the power lines up towards Maple Branch where there is a farily long loop of trails and there are also trails you can access from the back of Amkin that connect with some other neighborhoods. PM me if you want the name of a horseperson who lives on Amkin who does a lot of trail riding.
It is very difficult to get from the “development” you are talking about over to Amkin. Possible - if you cut through someone’s backyard - but difficult. You have to go off of Craftown. Casey (from the general store) used to try it all the time. He often complained of being nearly waffled.
have you tired google satellite’s mapping?
Hah! Small world – Casey used to hack one of my horses out for me and I admit that crossing Clifton Road right there can be dicey. In fact, one night coming back from the house the OP is considering buying (used to be owned by a friend of mine), I was in my Miata, low down, it was dark, and he scooted across the road on his mare just as I was about to pull out and I didn’t see him and almost ran him over myself! There is a dedicated bridle path easement that runs across the back of the outer lots on Amkin so you’re really not going through someone’s backyard.
Good news!
Oh great COTHer’s it seems there are some trails off this property. I met with the neighbors today and their adult daughter walked us up the “trail head” and went into much detail about where we can ride. For those that know the area, this is the same side of Clifton Rd. where the house is.
I also met with a gal on the other side who pointed out some trails down the power lines.
Hubby is going to try the commute from the home to DC – and if that is doable for him, we’re going to make an offer. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!
We cross Wolf Run Shoals and ride up Suburban, then right on Woodglen Court to the top of the hill. Go straight when the road turns left to the trail head. You slide along the property line to get to the Singing Woods trails, there is a pathway marked off by a rope so you don’t mistake it. It’s much better to access from that spot than directly from Wolf Run Shoals as it’s very boggy there.
We ride for miles from the Singing Woods loop across Yates Ford Road and down along Chapel.
question
more on this… does anyone know how to access fountainhead park from english hills? I have been trying to find it for quite awhile and keep running into dead ends.
Thanks
[QUOTE=CanterQueen;3018174]
Oh great COTHer’s it seems there are some trails off this property. I met with the neighbors today and their adult daughter walked us up the “trail head” and went into much detail about where we can ride. For those that know the area, this is the same side of Clifton Rd. where the house is.
I also met with a gal on the other side who pointed out some trails down the power lines.
Hubby is going to try the commute from the home to DC – and if that is doable for him, we’re going to make an offer. Keep your fingers crossed for me!![/QUOTE]
My fingers are cramping! Any word?:lol:
Greg, you’re just tooo funny. Hubby was going to try the drive this morning, but with the bad weather and possible ice storm, he nixed that idea. Tomorrow we are planning on hacking out on our horses from the Clifton Rd. property and are going to try to ride some of the trails – IF this weather cooperates. I’ll keep you updated.
So, will we be neighbors??
Lets just say that if you have any questions - fire 'em this way.
I guess Texas just got a lot closer
:yes:you have no idea!
Cross your fingers again, pleeeeaaasse
Well, we rode the trails yesterday and hubbie and I were really surprised how nice they are. We’ve met some of the neigbors and they seem happy horsey people are moving in.
So, realtor calls and this house just had one offer placed yesterday and we’re making one this afternoon. Gads, I hate competition!! 
It looks like we have a new home
Well, we’ve made an offer and I think we’re going to own a little farm in Clifton. We’ll know for sure tomorrow. I’m excited!!!
[QUOTE=CanterQueen;3032670]
Well, we’ve made an offer and I think we’re going to own a little farm in Clifton. We’ll know for sure tomorrow. I’m excited!!!:D[/QUOTE]
Keep me updated. I will be sad to lose my old friends, but am always happy to make new ones!
:yes:Greg – you have a PM.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
