For driving directions to the start of this walk see the South Run RECenter page.

The walk starts at the gravel parking area on the south side of the building furthest from the South Run RECenter Park entrance at the Fairfax County Parkway.

  1. Take the asphalt trail from the gravel parking area into the woods. After a short distance a dirt trail intersects from the left. Continue straight on the asphalt trail down the hill.
  2. An asphalt trail intersects from the left. Turn right to follow South Run upstream.
  3. A dirt trail intersects from the right as the asphalt trail passes under power lines. On the other end of the right-of-way an asphalt trail intersects from the left. Continue straight on the current asphalt trail.
  4. The trail crosses a section of pavement belonging to the previous alignment of Lee Chapel Road. The trail then crosses under the new alignment of Lee Chapel Road..
  5. An asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue straight on the present trail. A short distance later an asphalt trail intersects from the left. Continue straight here also.
  6. A side asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue straight on the present asphalt trail.
  7. A side asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue straight on the present asphalt trail.
  8. An asphalt trail intersects from the left. This is part of the return loop for this walk. Continue straight on the present asphalt trail.
  9. An asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue straight on the present trail.
  10. An asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue straight on the present trail.
  11. A dirt trail intersects from the right. Continue straight on the asphalt trail for a short distance until it joins the Burke Lake loop trail. This trail has a natural surface. Turn left to follow this trail over the Burke Lake dam.
  12. The trail provides a good view of Burke Lake as it crosses the dam.
  13. At the end of the dam turn left onto the dirt trail down the hill. The Burke Lake loop trail turns right at this point.
  14. Turn left at the next intersecting dirt trail. After a short distance the trail crosses a small stream.
  15. The trail crosses another small stream. Shortly after that point the trail changes to an asphalt surface.
  16. The asphalt trail intersects with a dirt trail and turns right to go up a hill. Turn slightly left to follow the dirt trail.
  17. The dirt trail intersects with an asphalt trail. Turn left to follow that trail through a vehicle barrier.
  18. Turn left onto the next intersecting asphalt trail. After a short distance the trail crosses South Run on a bridge.
  19. Turn right onto the next intersecting asphalt trail.
  20. An asphalt trail intersects from the left. Continue straight on the present trail.
  21. An asphalt trail intersects from the left. Continue straight on the present trail.
  22. An asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue straight on the present trail. A short distance later an asphalt trail intersects from the left. Continue straight past this trail also.
  23. The trail passes under Lee Chapel Road.
  24. An asphalt trail intersects from the right and a dirt trail from the left in the power company right-of-way. Continue straight on the present asphalt trail.
  25. An asphalt trail from Lake Mercer intersects from the right. Continue straight up the hill on the present trail.
  26. A dirt trail intersects from the right. Continue straight on the present asphalt trail as it returns to the parking area marking the start of the walk.

Pictorial Directions

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