22. Difficult Run - Ramey's Meadow

Directions: You can park at the east end of the trail at Ramey's Meadow on the west side of Leigh Mill Road, and follow the Fairfax Cross Country Trail upstream along Difficult Run. Or begin at the west end by taking Rt. 7 (Leesburg Pike) 3.2 miles west from the Dulles Toll Road, and turn right on Colvin Mill Road. Immediately turn right again on a short access road, with a parking lot at the end, 75providing access to the Fairfax Cross County trailhead. 

Near the middle of the hike, the Fairfax Cross County Trail takes a shortcut by crossing over a ridge (with a driveway at the top). You can take a more scenic route (the black dotted path) by following the path that stays alongside Difficult Run.

At the west end of this hike, the Fairfax Cross County Trail follows the short access road to Rt. 7, crossing at the intersection. The trailhead for the Colvin Run Trail (marked in blue) is on the south side of Rt. 7 (park on the shoulder of Carper's Farm Way), following Colvin Run upstream, while the Fairfax Cross County Trail continues in a southeasterly direction, following Difficult Run upstream. 

A view of Difficult Run as it runs alongside the trail near Route 7: