Run to Arlington National Cemetery & Marine Corps Memorial

The run to Arlington National Cemetery and the Iwo Jima Memorial is memorable. It can be done as a standalone route, or in combination with other D.C. routes along the National Mall, Tidal Basin, or paths along the Potomac. Arlington National Cemetery is the 639-acre grounds over rolling hills that honor those who served. It’s the final resting place for over 14,000 veterans. Walking on paths through the cemetery is an important Washington experience. While one cannot run at the cemetery itself, the run to the cemetery and over to the US Marine Corps War Memorial is a scenic route on paved, well-signed multi-use trails. CEMETERY INFO & MAP

Start at the Lincoln Memorial, and follow the paths behind it over the Arlington Bridge, admiring the Arts of War Sculptures. Continue on the wide Memorial Ave. to the cemetery entrance (option to enter the grounds and walk here). Continue on the path alongside Highway 110, with views of the cemetery’s markers on your left. You’ll pass the Netherlands Carillon, donated by the Netherlands After WWII and featuring 50 bells (daily concerts). This section is a bit of a climb. At the 2-mile mark, you’ll reach the US Marine Corps Memorial, a large sculpture that depicts a scene at Iwo Jima during WWII. There are great views to the Jefferson Memorial & the Washington Monument.

For the return, two options: retrace your steps to make this a 4-mile out & back. For a loop/longer run (6 miles), head back toward the Arlington Bridge, and at Potomac Park, take the path that leads to Columbia Island. Run on the nice path along the Potomac, paralleling GW Memorial Parkway to the 14th St. Bridge, which leads to the Tidal Basin. Pass the FDR & MLK Memorials, and cross Independence Ave. back to the National Mall.