Routes to/from NIH and more
These and additional routes are available at the interactive mapping site, Bikely.com
These routes were submitted by individual NIH bicycle commuters. Many thanks to those who took time to send in their routes! If you have a favorite route that is not listed, please feel free to contribute using the following recommended tip sheet.
- Bradley Blvd. to Campus
Bradley Blvd/Fairfax Road to Campus (2 miles; 10-15 minutes)
- Start at Bradley Blvd and Fairfax Rd in Bethesda
- Bear R onto Clarendon Rd
- L on Hampden Ln
- R on Exeter Rd
- (cross Wilson Ln)
- Merge with Glenbrook Rd
- (cross Old Georgetown Rd and Rugby Ave)
- Proceed on the path through Battery Park
- (cross Battery Ln)
- Continue on path to NIH
- Briggs Chaney to Campus
Briggs Chaney to NIH Campus (13.5 miles; 60-70 minutes)
- Start at Sturtevant and Briggs Chaney Rd
- West on Briggs Chaney
- L on Good Hope Road
- R on Windmill Ln
- L on Northview Eastway Dr
- R on Piping Rock
- L on New Hampshire Ave
- R on Randolph Rd*
- L on Kemp Mill
- R on Arcola
- L on Orebaugh
- R on Franwell
- L on Amherst
- (cross University Blvd)
- R on Plyer’s Mill Rd
- (cross Georgia, then Conn Ave)
- L on Summit Ave (bear R where Summit becomes Cedar Ln**)
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH campus)
*Randolph is okay early (and it’s downhill). On the way back, use sidewalk or Shaw Drive, which parallels Randolph from just east of Kemp Mill to New Hampshire Ave (Take first R after Kemp Mill onto Springtree, then L on Shaw)
**Just after going under Beltway on Cedar, a bike path goes off to the right and winds back around to Cedar Lane—cuts out a dangerous hill.
- Briggs Chaney to Executive Blvd.
Briggs Chaney to Executive Blvd. (12.5 miles; 65 minutes)
- Start at Sturtevant and Briggs Chaney Rd
- West on Briggs Chaney
- L on Good Hope
- R on Windmill Lane
- L on Northview Eastway Dr
- R on Piping Rock
- L on New Hampshire Ave
- R on Bonifant
- (cross Layhill; Bonifant becomes Bel Pre)
- L on Rippling Brook Pkwy
- R on Hewitt Ave
- R on Georgia Ave
- L on Aspen Hill Road
- R on Viers Mill Road
- L on Twinbrook Pkwy
- R into Twinbrook Park
- (cross over footbridge)
- L on Atlantic Ave (becomes Vandegrift)
- L on Ardennes
- R into Metro station (walk through station)
- R up exit ramp
- Go northwest diagonally through parking lot to Halpine Rd*
- (cross Rte. 355)
- L on East Jefferson
- (cross Montrose)
- R into EPN, EPS, 6116 Executive Blvd parking lot
*Alternately:- L on Chapman Ave
- R on Bou Ave
- L on Rockville Pike (use sidewalk or parking lots)
- Bear R onto “Old Georgetown Rd” (sign says sign says “To Montrose/Randolph Road.”; this is one way in your direction)
- (cross Montrose Rd)
- At end of cul-de-sac, take sidewalk to right
- R on Executive Blvd
- L into EPN, EPS, 6116 Executive Blvd parking lot
- Capital Crescent to Campus
Capital Crescent Trail to NIH Campus*
Coming from the South
- Start at Capital Crescent Trail and Little Falls Pkwy
- L on Little Falls Pkwy
- Continue straight ahead to Glenbrook
- (Cross Bradley Blvd)
- Continue on Glenbrook to Wilson Ln
There are then options of:- Battery Lane into NIH; or
- Custer to Huntington Pkwy to Old Georgetown Rd and NIH; or
- Maple Ridge and into NIH, etc.
Coming from the North**
- Start at Capital Crescent Trail and Jones Mill Road
- North on Jones Mill a short distance
- L on Jones Bridge Road
- (cross Connecticut Ave [use sidewalk; lanes narrow substantially])
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH)
*Note: More information and maps of the Capital Crescent Trail are available at The Capital Crescent Trail Homepage
**Note: Jones Bridge Road is not ideal for cyclists. To avoid this on the way home (coming from Main Campus heading North on the CCT): from the Bike trail that goes along the southern perimeter of the Bethesda campus, turn right on the bike path to Battery lane. Turn left (east) on Battery, cross Wisconsin Ave and follow Rosedale to end. Turn right at end then quick left onto Kentbury. Small pathway to CCT is on the left after about 50 yards on Kentbury. It's sort of hidden between 2 houses, so jsut look closely from the left sidewalk.
- East-West Highway to Campus
East-West Highway to NIH Campus (3.5 miles; 30 minutes)*
- Start at corner of 16th St and East-West Highway
- West on path and side streets paralleling East-West Hwy on north side
- R at Jones Mill Road
- Bear L onto Jones Bridge Rd
- (cross Connecticut Ave [use sidewalk; lanes narrow substantially])
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH)
*For an alternative route, including a section of the Capital Crescent Trail, see "Silver Spring Metro to NIH Campus".
- Executive Blvd to downtown Silver Spring
Executive Blvd to downtown Silver Spring
- Follow Executive Blvd east to
- R Woodglen Dr.
- It deadends at Edson and North Bethesda Trail begins
- Follow North Bethesda Trail (old streetcar right of way) a half mile or so south to
- L Tuckerman (ride on the sidewalk) a couple of blocks to the light
- R Grosvenor Lane (street behind Grosvenor Apartments) to
- L Grosvenor (1 bock on L sidewalk, cross Rockville Pike & enter Rock Creek Park at Beach Dr.
- R bike path on left side of Beach Dr.
- Follow Beach Drive and/or parallel bike path a few miles miles to just after bike path goes under the Beltway by Mormon Temple & Jones Mill Rd.
- L Forsythe, go up steep hill and merge with Linden Lane at old National Park Seminary.
- Continue on Linden Lane several blocks
- R Second Ave.
- Take Second Ave. into downtown SS.
- Falls Church to Campus
-
Falls Church, VA to NIH Campus (11 miles; 65 minutes)
- Starting from Williamsburg Boulevard, head towards Maryland.
- Left onto Glebe Rd.
- Right onto Old Glebe Rd
- Left onto Randolph
- Look for signs for Chain Bridge and make right down a steep hill ( you may want to walk bike at this point).
- Cross at light onto Chain Bridge (busy intersection, be alert!).
- Go across Chain Bridge about 3/4 of the way and look for ramp down to the C&O Canal
- Take Canal path East bound for about 1 mile to the Capitol Crescent Trail - you will see the bridge above you that crosses over the Canal ( you can get off of bike and walk it up the hill to the trail) or continue to the paved path of the CC trail (about .7 miles past where you see the bridge above you).
- Take CC into Bethesda or via routes on the bicycle club web page. (see Capital Crescent to Campus)
-
- Forest Glen to Executive Blvd.
Forest Glen to Executive Blvd.
- West on bike path along Forest Glen (shift from south to north side just past cemetary)
- R on Seminary (shift to left side, against traffic, for sharp curve near railroad tracks)
- L on Stoneybrook
- R on Kent (jogs right at Kensington Pkwy)
- R on Montgomery
- L on Carroll Place
- R on Baltimore
- (cross Connecticut Ave)
- R on Detrick
- L on Mitchell (road doesn't go through, but breaks in cable barricade provide access to Summit/Knowles intersection)
- L (west) on Knowles (cross Beach Dr and Rock Creek on bike path (left), then cross to right side and use shoulder, sidewalk, and frontage road that begins after a few blocks)
- R on Rockville Pike -- cross Pike to sidewalk on west side
- L on Golf Ln
- R on North Bethesda Bike Trail
- (cross Edson to north on Woodglen Dr)
- L on Exeter Hill Way
- (cross Nicholson to Executive Blvd; cross Old Georgetown Rd.)
- Access NSB parking lot via path to cul-de-sac and continuation of Old Georgetown Rd that picks up again behind Toys R Us.
- Gaithersburg to Campus #1
Gaithersburg to Campus (1)
- Start at intersection of Calypso/Cross Country Lane
- L on Cross Country Lane
- L on Strawberry Knoll Rd
- L on Emory Grove Rd
- R on Washington Grove Rd
- L on Mid-County Hwy
- R on Shady Grove Rd
- L on Darnestown Rd (Rte 28)
- R on Glen Mill Rd
- Bear L on Richie Ct/Pkwy
- Straight on Richie Pkwy, crossing Falls Rd (189)
- R on 7 Locks Rd at Tee
- L on Tuckerman Ln
- R on Westlake Dr
- L on Democracy Blvd just past mail on left
- R on Fernwood Rd
- Bear L on Greentree Rd at 4-way stop
- Straight on South Dr (at NIH), crossing Old Georgetown Rd
- Gaithersburg to Campus #2
Gaithersburg to Campus (2)
- Start at Lake Needwood. There is parking available if you want to do a “drive-bike” commute. The Rock Creek Park hiker-biker trail starts at the southern end of the lake. The trail leads almost all the way to campus (though it crosses many roads at grade)
- South on Rock Creek hiker-biker trail
- R on Cedar Lane* (at light)
- cross Rte 355 into NIH
*Just after going under beltway on Cedar, a bike path goes off to the right and winds back around to Cedar Lane—cuts out a dangerous hill.
- Hungerford to Executive Blvd.
Hungerford to Executive Blvd. (2 miles; 20 minutes)
- From Hungerford neighborhood (behind Wintergreen Plaza)
- Edmonston to Wootton Pkwy
- L on Wootton Pkwy (Edmonston picks up again after one block)
- R on Edmonston
- R into the Woodmont Park apartments (parallels Rockville Pike)
- Cut L to get up to the Pike
- Take sidewalk on west side of Rockville Pike
- At Woodmont Center, cut through the parking lots that parallel Rockville Pike
- Cut through the North Congressional parking lot (towards Bed, Bath, and Beyond)
- R on Congressional Ln
- L on East Jefferson
- (cross Montrose Road)
On the ride back, cross to the right side of the road at light at EPS/EPN. Take sidewalk to the intersection of East Jefferson and Montrose Road and cross with the pedestrian signal.
- Olney to Campus
Olney to NIH Campus (19 miles)
- From Charline Manor Rd
- R on Olney Mill Rd
- (cross Rte 108)
- L on Thornberry Ln
- L on Thornhurst Dr
- R on Briars Rd (becomes Gelding Ln)
- R on Queen Elizabeth Dr
- L on Morningwood Dr
- R through Olney ES to reach Queen Mary Dr (through playgrounds behind school)
- R on Queen Mary Dr
- L on Lafayette Dr
- R on Hines Rd
- L on Wellfleet Dr (becomes Cherry Valley Dr)
- L on MacDuff Ave
- R on Continental
- (cross Cashell Rd)
- L on George Washington Dr
- R on Rex Place
- L on Calvary Dr
- R on new (2001) Emory Ln multi-use path
- L on Pinetree Rd
- R on Sycamore Ln
- (cross Muncaster Mill Rd; traffic!)
- L on Hornbeam Dr
- R on Sunflower Dr
- R on Emory Ln (different one)
- L on Bauer Dr
- R on Rte 28 frontage road
- Straight at dead-end of frontage road onto unmarked multi-use path (steep hill)
- L to join Rock Creek multi-use path
- (cross Baltimore Rd, Viers Mill, Randolph, Garret Park Rd, and Strathmore/Knowles)*
- R on Cedar Ln (at light)**
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH)
*May wish to ride on Beach Drive, starting where multi-use path crosses it.
**Just after going under Beltway on Cedar, a multi-use path goes off to the right and winds back around to Cedar Lane—cuts out a dangerous hill.
- Quince Orchard H.S. to Campus (14.5 miles)
Quince Orchard High School to NIH Campus
- Darnestown Road towards Rockville (Darnestown Rd is Maryland Highway 28 until intersection with Key West Blvd)
- Right on Glen Mill Road
- Left on Wootton Parkway
- Right on Seven Locks Road
- Left on Bradley Blvd
- Left on Fernwood
- Right on Greentree
- Greentree to Old Georgetown Road and NIH Campus
- Randolph Rd to Campus
Randolph Rd to NIH Campus (5.1 miles; 25-30 minutes)
- Start at Randolph and Dewey
- South on Rock Creek hiker-biker trail
- (cross over Garrett Park Rd, Knowles/Strathmore, and Beach Dr)
- R on Cedar Lane* (at light)
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH)
*Just after going under Beltway on Cedar, a bike path goes off to the right and winds back around to Cedar Lane—cuts out a dangerous hill.
- Silver Spring Metro to Campus
Silver Spring Metro to NIH Campus (4 miles; 35 minutes)*
- Start at corner of Colesville Rd and Wayne Ave (entrance to Silver Spring Bus Station)
- Cross Colesville Rd and go straight on along Second Ave
- (Cross Spring St)
- (Cross 16th St)
- L on Hannover St
- (Cross 3rd Ave and follow rd round to left)
- R onto bridge over railway
- Take second L (Michigan Ave)
- First R on Pennsylvania Ave
- L on Kansas Ave
- Turn R on a sidewalk next to a parking lot, and stay on the sidewalk as it bears L
- Turn L onto the start of the Capital Crescent Trail (note: this section of the trail is a rocky and unsuitable for road racing bikes)
- Continue on Trail to Jones Mill Rd
- North on Jones Mill a short distance
- L on Jones Bridge Road
- (cross Connecticut Ave [use sidewalk; lanes narrow substantially])
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH)
*Note: More information and maps of the Capital Crescent Trail are available at The Capital Crescent Trail Homepage
- Takoma Park to Campus
Takoma Park to NIH Campus
- North on bike path in Sligo Creek Park
- L (west) on Forest Glen Road
- (cross Georgia Ave and Seminary Rd/ Capital View)
- R on Newcastle Ave
- R on Forsythe
- R on Stoneybrook
- L on Beach Drive
- L on Cedar Lane*
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH)
*Just after going under Beltway on Cedar, a bike path goes off to the right and winds back around to Cedar Lane—cuts out a dangerous hill.
- Twinbrook to Campus
Twinbrook to Campus (8.2 miles)
- From bike path in Twinbrook Park
- R on Atlantic Ave
- R on Veirs Mill Rd
- R on Veirs Mill service road (just past the fire station at Gaynor)
- R on Edgebrook (at bottom of hill)
- Bear L onto Dewey
- Bear R onto Garrett Park Rd
- L on Beach Dr
- R on Cedar Lane*
- (cross Rte 355 in pedestrian crossing)
- L on West Dr
- L on Center Dr
- R on Memorial to Bldg. 10
*Just after going under Beltway on Cedar, a bike path goes off to the right and winds back around to Cedar Lane—cuts out a dangerous hill.
On returning, at end of Dewey, turn into Park on left- Cross over wooden bridge immediately on entering Park
- Continue on Gaynor
- L on Veirs Mill
If you do not like riding with the traffic on Veirs Mill, Beach, and Dewey, use the Rock Creek Trail for all or some of the ride. It crosses this route frequently.
- Twinbrook to Executive Blvd.
Twinbrook to Executive Blvd (2 miles; 15-20 mintues)
- South on Lewis Avenue to Twinbrook Metro (sidewalk links Lewis to the Metro station)
- Walk through Metro station
- L on Chapman Ave
- (cross Twinbrook Pkwy)
- R on Bou Ave
- L on Rockville Pike (or use sidewalk and parking lots to avoid the Pike)
- R onto “Old Georgetown Rd” (sign says “To Montrose/Randolph Road.”; this is one way in your direction)
- (cross Montrose Rd)
- 6001 Exec. Blvd (back end) is about a hundred yards up on the right
On the ride home, take the sidewalk on the one-way road that is now going in the wrong direction.- Cross the Pike at Montrose Crossing.
- Walter Reed Annex to Campus
-
Walter Reed Annex to NIH Campus
- Start at abandoned parking lot north of Walter Reed Annex on Linden Lane*
- Take hiker-biker trail from southwest corner of parking lot
- R at first fork at the bottom of the hill, to join Rock Creek trail at Stoneybrook and Forsythe
- West on Rock Creek trail (along Beach Dr)
- Left on Cedar Ln (at light)**
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH)
OR
Park at the Forest Glen Metro- West on Forest Glen Ave
- (cross Seminary Rd/Capital View)
- R on Newcastle
- R on Forsythe (at bottom of hill)
- R onto the Rock Creek Path (on west side of Stoneybrook)
- L on Cedar Lane**
- (cross Rte 355 into NIH)
*I live in the Dumont Oaks/White Oak area of Silver Spring and have found no safe route north of University; so I drive to this point.
**Just after going under Beltway on Cedar, a bike path goes off to the right and winds back around to Cedar Lane—cuts out a dangerous hill.
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- Wootton HS to Campus
Wootton High School to NIH Campus(10 miles; 35 minutes)
- Wootton Parkway
- Right on Seven Locks Road
- Left on Bradley Blvd
- Left on Fernwood
- Right on Greentree
- ~1.5 miles to NIH campus
This is a terrific route with long straightaways, 5 significant hills, few intersections and only 7 lights. Normally I hit only 2 red lights en route and can make it to NIH peddling easily in ~35 minutes. 75% is on Seven Locks and Bradley both of which have generous shoulders that have recently been paved. The tight spots are Wootton Parkway, although a new dedicated bike path that should solve this is nearing completion, and the last half mile of Greentree (no solution in sight, but the cars are usually stacked up here so danger is minimal).
New routes? Changes? Updates? Please contact Angela Atwood-Moore, President of the NIH Bicycle Commuter Club.