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Autumn color close to home
“The falling leaves drift by the window,
The autumn leaves of red and gold”
The song "Autumn Leaves," made famous by singer Nat King Cole, resonates this time of year as nature puts on a brilliant show of color here in Loudoun.
From bright yellows to vibrant reds, the hills, fields and marshes come alive, and foliage fans flock to hotspots in the county to catch glimpses of nature's splendor.
So turn off the TV, grab the kids and camera, put on your hiking gear, leave the iPods behind, and head into the crisp fall air in search of bright foliage. A few recommendations follow, but keep in mind -- splendorous color can be as close as in your own backyard.
Appalachian Trail -- Bear's Den
Near Bluemont
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
703-242-0315
If you have to pick one local spot of the Appalachian Trail to visit -- Bear’s Den and its rock outcropping are a must-see. A short hike from Route 7, just west of BlueRidge Mountain Road, takes you on a climb through mixed woodlands and rewards you with spectacular views in full autumnal bloom. The 2,175-mile-long trail straddles Loudoun's western border as it heads north to Maine from Georgia.
Claude Moore Park
21544 Old Vestals Gap Road
Sterling
571-258-3700
loudoun.gov/ClaudeMoorePark
Claude Moore Park features 11 miles of hiking trails, all of which showcase the colors of fall this time of year. Natural areas include wetlands, meadows and forests. Spice your visit up with a little history by checking out Vestals Gap Road, a park trail once used by Native Americans to go between Alexandria and the Shenandoah. The 357-acre park -- open daily, from dawn to dusk -- is one of the last remaining sizable green spaces in eastern Loudoun.
Ida Lee Park
60 Ida Lee Drive
Leesburg
703-777-1368
www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=413
Walking trails throughout the park's 138 acres invite families to enjoy the changing hues of the season. And a gazebo and picnic shelter give visitors a reason to pause and relish the autumnal scene. The crown jewel of Leesburg's 16 parks, Ida Lee also features a recreation center, tennis courts, playgrounds and other amenities nestled in the rolling landscape.
Other options close to home
Algonkian Regional Park, 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling
703-450-4655
www.nvrpa.org/parks/algonkian/
The park, along the shore of the Potomac River, is a good choice for a family outing to enjoy nature.
Ball's Bluff Battlefield, Balls Bluff Road, Leesburg
703-737-7800
With its Potomac overlook and wooded landscape, the regional park's trails are shaded under a canopy of brilliant fall colors.
Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville
540-668-7640
Fall foliage is on display in the 900-acre heavily wooded preserve in northwestern Loudoun.
Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg
703-777-3174
Oatlands.org
Oatlands' fall foliage and stunning views of the Piedmont combine with the 260-acre plantation's rich history to create a special fall experience.
Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville
540-338-7603
Rolling landscape, scenic trails and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains make the 203-acre park an obvious destination for enjoying fall color.
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