Review Date
March 24, 2008

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: oldskoolbiker ,  Downhiller

Summary:
I really wouldn't even consider Burke lake a mountain bike trail, but to absolute noobs I guess they may think so. The trail a about 90% flat with a couple of very small inclines. It's a wide gravel/dirt path that goes around Burke Lake. The total distance around the lake is 5 miles.

This is a good place to take the family for a casual ride, or take someone who is a total beginner to biking.

The biggest problem here, is that this is a multi use trail so there are lots of people out walking, jogging, walking their dogs. So you are always yelling to warn people you are coming. I recommend you bring a bell if you have one.

Recommended Route:
Just park in the parking lot, and get on the trail. It goes in a circle. I usually go counter clockwise around the lake.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
A similar trail that is a little more difficult is the Accotink Lake trail.

Review Date
October 28, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: SantaCruzin703 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
the loop around the lake is flat, flat, flat. one little back section is a little technical (rougly comparable to accotink) but that part is less than a mile long (most people dont bike that part). there are also side trails in the park that once again are comparable to accotink but are disjointed. but when joining them together its not different than riding wakefield/accotink (most people dont know about these either).

Review Date
February 20, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: dogdude ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I have to admit while this trail is not very technical overall or very aerobically demanding, it is one of the nicest rides in NOVA. This is the perfect trail for people like me: over 40, overweight and just trying to get some exercise. Much of it follows the lake, then veers off on the inland trail. there are also side trails to explore. and what i love the best is that there are no earring wearing goateed out of control riders who are going way too fast for the trails, unlike the one time i went to Fountainhead.

Recommended Route:
just follow the trail around the lake

Review Date
April 21, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: bighitballer ,  Downhiller

Summary:
this trial is acually alright it has some pretty technical side trails and a doubles jump section. If you just stay on the trail it sucks but if you can get on some fire roads and side trails its acually not that bad. Thers definatley a lot of better places to ride but if you have no choice you wont be completley bored. also you can follow the loop till it goes to the concrete/ grass bridge over the water from here there is a side (paved) trail to your right or left by a bench. This trail can take you to south run rec, crosspoint, barrington and lots of other places around that area. At south run (by the powerlines) you can hit some 3- 4 foot dirt jumps (if the dirtbikers have ruined them) also there is a little down hill trail to the side where you can enjoy yourself sometimes. (this is right next to the paved trail) just turn to the left or right towards the powerlines and ride up the dirt road till you see a little single track and some jumps or you can ride to south run rec and get on the road with the woods right by it youll come to a sign that says no veachles, bikes, motorcycles, ect... ride right through the little trail to the powerlines. The powerlines are all downhill so its not hard to get speed. O well burke sucks but there are alternate routes u can take to have fun. just thought i would throw this out there for anyone who doesnt know.

peace

Recommended Route:
go around the loop to the concrete/grass bridge and take the paved trial by the bench to the rec center and on. The rec center when in good condition had great junps and not a bad little downhill

Other recommended trails in the same area:
fountainhead, difficult run

Review Date
April 11, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Mudgrrl ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is a great trail for beginners, or those that have not been at all active in the past 10 years (not trying to be mean or funny here). This is the trail that got me back into mountain biking. This trail is a bit fun with gentle rolling hills and some nice scenery of the lake. People are friendly, though there are signs reminding you to control your speed. There is also frisbee golf there, so watch it when you round that section of trail.

Recommended Route:
like somebody else said, go around the loop. There are trails leading off of it, for some fun and exploration try them out.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Check out Great Falls and Difficult Run