Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail Hiking Guide
East of the Anacostia River, a natural-surface trail threads a chain of parks that once held the Civil War forts ringing Washington. The Park Service calls it the Civil War Defenses of Washington Hiker-Biker Trail and gives it about 7 miles from Fort Stanton to Fort Mahan. It mixes woods, frequent road crossings and a few climbs, and hikers share it with mountain bikers.
Distance and Direction
The Park Service lists 7 miles; Hiking Project maps 6.3 miles point to point with 422 feet of climbing and 686 feet of descent, walked from the Fort Stanton end. The NPS places a north trailhead at the southwest corner of Hunt Place NE and 42nd Street NE and a south trailhead at Fort Ricketts, across from 1901 Fort Place SE. Hiking Project's route begins across Erie Street SE from the Anacostia Community Museum. Most people walk a section and turn around, or arrange a pickup.
Terrain
The agency describes the stretch from the north trailhead to Marion Barry Avenue SE as flat or gently rolling. South of Marion Barry Avenue the trail climbs steadily over somewhat steep ground and crosses two bridges with steps. The spur up to the Fort Dupont earthworks and the Lanham Estates picnic area is steep. Expect dirt and gravel with tripping hazards and the odd downed tree; Hiking Project counts a road crossing about every mile or less.
Parking and Access
The trail has many access points, most with a crosswalk and some with street parking right beside it. Fort Dupont Park offers two lots on Fort Dupont Drive and a seasonal lot at the Lanham Estates Picnic Area off Alabama Avenue; the park lists its address as 4150 Alabama Ave SE. Trail hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bring Your Own Water
The Park Service says there is no potable water and bathrooms are limited, and Hiking Project reports no restrooms or trash cans along the way. Carry everything and pack out your trash. TrailLink's 2026 guide adds that sections get overgrown in summer and muddy after rain, which makes the cooler months the better bet.
Bikes, Dogs and Winter Notices
Mountain biking is allowed and the NPS recommends off-road bikes for this surface; motorized bikes and ATVs are not. Listen for riders on descents and step aside on tight bends. Leashed dogs are welcome. In a past winter the Park Service closed Fort Dupont's trails from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. for several weeks of deer management, so check National Capital Parks-East notices before a late-afternoon winter hike.
Hiking tips for Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail
- Carry all your water; there is none along the trail.
- Start at Fort Dupont Park if you'd rather have a lot than street parking.
- Save energy for the climb south of Marion Barry Avenue SE.
- Stay alert for mountain bikers on downhill bends.
- Check NPS notices for winter deer-management closures before an afternoon start.
Nearby trails to explore
- Milkhouse Ford Loop (Rock Creek Park)
- National Arboretum Figure-Eight Loop
- Boundary Bridge Loop (Rock Creek Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
A point-to-point trail like this is easier with a group and a car shuttle. Find people for the Fort Circle trail on TrailMates, coordinate drop-offs in the event's group chat, and hike a section together. Get TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.