All trails are primarily on sidewalks with occasional natural surfaces. Some may be difficulty for strollers and wheelchairs due to local differences in accessibility. Alternate routes are available on some trails. Trails are mostly flat, with an occasional exception (Rated 1 to 2+ on a 5 scale).

​The routes may qualify for other current (and expired) Special Programs, Check with the Finish Table to be sure you receive all the stamps earned on your route today. We will stamp any AVA Special Program book for which the walker feels the event qualifies.

The US FreedomWalk Festival is a member of two walking organizations: the American Volkssport Association and the International Marching League.

• The American Volkssport Association (AVA) is the American affiliate of the International Volkssport Federation (IVV). Member clubs of the AVA and IVV put on non-competitive athletic events, mostly walking, but also bike, swim and other sporting events. The walking events are commonly referred to as volksmarches. All events are open to the public, and, as stated, non-competitive. Awards (certificates, hatpins, metals and patches) are given out upon completion of set numbers of events and/or distances. 

• The International Marching League. Walking Association (IML). IML events are multiple days, usually two days, but sometimes three or four, and to earn the IML award, at least 20 km must be walked each of the primary walking days. The IML normally sanctions only one walk per country, although they will make an exception for events that are significant distances apart. The two largest walking events in the world, Nijmegen in the Netherlands and Higashi-Matsuyama in Japan, are IML sanctioned events. 

FRIDAY - Welcome Walk

For our Friday's Welcome Walk, the focus is on Arlington. Choose between the 5 km (+/-) or 10 Km (+/-) route.

The 5 km route  winds through the "Crystal City neighborhood" with visits to the U.S. Airforce Memorial and The Pentagon before returning to the Finish.

The 10 km route  winds through the "Crystal City neighborhood" with visits to the U.S. Airforce Memorial, The Pentagon, Columbia Island Marina along the Pentagon Lagoon Basin & George Washington Parkway before returning to the Finish. 

AVA Special Programs

Border Crossings (since Virginia does not own any part of the Potomac River, when you cross the bridge onto Columbia Island, you are technically entering Washington, DC)

Walking with America’s Veterans (WWAV)

Walking the United States A-Z – Arlington

Walking the United States – Virginia

SATURDAY

For  our Saturday Walk, there are lots of choices along the trail for food and water. (On Sunday, there are no food/drink choices until late in the routes.) Choose between the 6 km (+/-), 12 km (+/-) or 21 Km (+/-) route.

The 12 km route features gorgeous views from both the Virginia and District sides of the Potomac River. The route winds through the "Crystal City neighborhood" crossing the 14th Street Bridge entering Washington ,DC walking along the DC side of the Potomac River, Tidal Basin and crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge entering back to Arlington passing Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon, Pentagon City to the Finish.

The 21 km route features gorgeous views from both the Virginia and District sides of the Potomac River. The route winds through the "Crystal City neighborhood" crossing the 14th Street Bridge entering Washington ,DC walking along the DC side of the Potomac River, covering the National Mall from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol building, crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge entering back to Arlington strolling along the other Arlington neighborhoods to the finish.

AVA Special Programs

Border Crossings

Walking with America’s Veterans (WWAV)

Walking the United States A-Z – Arlington, Washington DC

Walking the United States – Virginia, District of Columbia

SUNDAY

For our Sunday Walk, choose between the 6 km (+/-), 12 km (+/-), or 21 km (+/-) route.

The 12 km route begins by winding through the "Crystal City neighborhood" onto other beautiful Arlington neighborhoods along  the Four Mile Run Trail, circling back to the Mount Vernon Trail to the finish.

The 21 km route by winding through the "Crystal City neighborhood" onto other beautiful Arlington neighborhoods, entering the City of Alexandria, then to the eclectic neighborhood of Delray with several eating stops, Then make your way to Old Town Alexandria with rich colonial history, back along the Mount Vernon Trail to the finish.

AVA Special Programs

Walking with America’s Veterans (WWAV)

Walking the United States A-Z – Arlington, Alexandria

Walking the United States – Virginia