Originally Posted by
wahooflyer
I remember several FTers posting on a TravelBuzz thread from a couple of years ago that it is possible to walk from Crystal City to DCA via the Mount Vernon Trail, and that there's both a "south" and "north" way to enter the airport on foot.
If the weather isn't too cold or icy, I'd like to try to walk to DCA on an upcoming trip just for kicks. I'll be flying Midwest, which leaves out of the old terminal (A). Where in Crystal City do I pick up the trail or street that leads to the airport?
Thanks!
Yes, this is possible. I run on the trail all the time, but have never gone to the airport, so I can't remember exactly the best way to get from the Mount Vernon trail to the airport. But there are numerous forks off the trail that I assume go to various parts of the airport. Going south from Crystal City to the airport, Terminal A will be the last one. It might be easier to walk to the shuttle stop to take that to Terminal A.
In any case, you enter the trail from Crystal Drive between 15th and 18th Streets. There is a sign, and you'll see a big plaza area with a couple of waterfalls right by the entrance. That takes you on a ramp to the Mt. Vernon Trail, but even before you get on the main trail, you're on airport grounds, but I'm not sure where all the possible crossings are to the terminal.