Destination Bikeride to Wollam Gardens
By Heather Hunter-Nickels
Getting started
Roll out of your door in the DMV for a bicycle powered vacation with this 172 mile round trip ride to Wollam Gardens. Just under half the ride is on the WO&D trail. The remaining mileage is on rolling back country hills past farms, wineries, and through Warrenton, VA.
We recommend taking five days to enjoy the ride. You can download our route on Ride With GPS (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35916869).
Day 1 : 40miles
Start in DC and ride the WO&D trail to Leesburg
This ride is entirely on paved trails and relatively flat. In Leesburg we chose to stay at the Colonial Inn for their location right downtown and the amazing breakfast that is included at the restaurant next door. You can always take the metro out to Reston, carving 20mi out of your ride.
Day 2 : 46miles
Head south from Leesburg on back country roads to Wollam Gardens, Jeffersonton, VA.
This ride, with its amazing views and rolling hills is rewarding and tough. The majority is on paved back roads where few cars drive. You’ll pass horse farms and cows out in the pasture, enjoy beautiful views and earn your downhills. Passing cars sometimes give courtesy honks to let you know they are passing. A few roads have light gravel (my road bike was fine) and will have you riding the sideline of a busy road. These are few and spread out.
As you ride through Warrenton, your halfway point, or Wiffletree Farm’s farmstand, make sure to stalk up on food for the farmhouse and enjoy the bustling downtown area.
Day 3:
Enjoy Wollam Gardens and the surrounding area, including the brewery and wineries.
Death Ridge Brewery is a mile from Wollam Gardens and they have a beautiful view of the valley. The roads around Wollam Gardens are lovely to ride. One 18mile loop can take you past two wineries. We opted to do a ride that ended at the brewery to enjoy a beer and some food.
At Wollam Gardens we enjoyed a tour of the flower farm, joined a yoga class in the gorgeous cedar pavilion, watched the staff cut and prep bouquets for market, built a fire and enjoyed the sunset. The Airbnb farmhouse was spacious and homey with plenty of sunlight streaming through the windows. I particularly liked the balcony which is a perfect place to sip your morning coffee. If you are looking for privacy, don’t be dissuaded. We felt we could choose to engage with staff or just wander the farm to a secluded corner and enjoy the light hitting the leaves.
Day 4: 46miles
Leave Wollam Gardens to return to Leesburg.
Once you have done the route one way, your second go at it is even better because you have discovered other places you want to explore.
Day 5: 40miles
Leesburg to DC
We loved stopping at Caboose Brewery and Tavern in Vienna. It’s about midway between Leesburg and DC so it provides not only good beer and food but a nice break. Finally, I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to roll back into DC and home on your bike exhausted and triumphant. Guess you’ll just have to do it yourself :) and let us know how it was!
Wollam Garden’s Cycling Tour Guide
Cycle around Wollam Garden’s and visit the local gems around town!