Lake Halcyon–Lake Varuna, 5 sights
8.2 mi · ▲ 190 ft · 2 hr 50 min
Lake Halcyon–Lake Varuna, 5 sights is an 8.2-mile out-and-back in Muddy Branch Park near Washingtonian Woods, MD. The route passes Lake Halcyon and Lake Varuna. It is mostly level, with 190 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Lake Halcyon–Lake Varuna, 5 sights
8.2 mi · ▲ 190 ft · 2 hr 50 min
Elevation 310–465 ft
Out & Back · Muddy Branch Park
Trailhead: Lake Halcyon Trail · 39.12073, -77.21736
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:55 AM · sunset 7:11 PM
No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: School Dr & Muddy Branch Rd stop 331 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Lake Halcyon Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftPass Lake Halcyon.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Woods Trail, heading W.
- 0.3 miPass Lake Varuna.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Muddy Branch Greenway Trail, heading SE.
- 1.3 miTurn left, heading W.
- 300 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading E.
- 1.9 miReach Lake Halcyon, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.9 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading NW.
- 300 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 1.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Lake Halcyon Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.1 mi in (~79 min). Leave by 5:32 PM for the 7:11 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
- Transit-accessible: School Dr & Muddy Branch Rd stop 331 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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