Staying active through walking offers a host of physical and emotional benefits for seniors, including improved mobility, heart health, mood, and social engagement. At The Landing in Alexandria, residents enjoy access to nearby walking-friendly parks and often participate in community walking groups that encourage movement and connection. Whether they are with visiting family or going on an outing with fellow residents, there's always fun to be had. Here's a guide to some of the best senior walking trails in Alexandria for scenic strolls and meaningful moments outdoors.

Benefits of Walking for Seniors

Walking is an easily accessible way to stay active as a senior. You gain many benefits from choosing it as one of your methods of exercise, including:

• Low-impact exercise. Walking is considered a low-impact exercise because it puts less strain on your body, including your knees, ankles, and other joints. At the same time, it's effective at supporting your joint health, balance, and cardiovascular health, all of which are essential as you age. 
• Mental wellness and social connection. As you walk, your body releases mood-boosting endorphins, which can help ease anxiety and depression. Participating in a walking group can support your mental wellness even more by providing you with companionship that helps reduce loneliness. Those senior friendships can impact healthy aging. Walking can also help with your mental clarity. 
• Accessible and flexible. Walking can easily be adapted to fit any fitness level, regardless of your physical condition or endurance. You can adjust your pace and choose your terrain, from perfectly flat to hilly. A walking routine doesn't require any special equipment, except for a supportive pair of shoes. You can head out for a solo morning stroll or participate in an organized outing with your neighbors from The Landing.

Jones Point Park

At Jones Point Park, your group can enjoy smooth paths within a historical setting. A serene, riverside walking destination, Jones Point Park features wide, flat trails that can accommodate walking groups well. During your walk, you take in scenic views of the Potomac River and the historic lighthouse.

The amenities offered by the park include:

• Benches for breaks during your walk
• Restrooms
• Shaded paths
• Paved trails for accessibility to walkers with mobility aids

Jones Point Park is a favorite among friends and family with its open layout and peaceful environment.

Fort Ward Park

Fort Ward Park offers a quiet, tree-lined walking spot for your group. The looped, wooded paths are full of historic charm, with Civil War-era landmarks along the way. Those landmarks, including Union forts and batteries, are ideal spots to take a break and learn a few facts about history. There's also a museum you can visit as part of your walking club's outing.

The paved walking loops are shady and allow for mild to moderate intensity walks within a peaceful setting. Fort Ward Park also features open picnic areas where you can enjoy lunch or post-walk socialization. 

Mount Vernon Trail (Near Old Town)

Mount Vernon Trail provides a scenic urban-adjacent experience ideal for active senior walkers. Located near Old Town Alexandria, this walking trail offers views of the Potomac River and skyline vistas, giving you a delightful mix. You'll find a paved, flat section of the trail in this area, perfect for longer walks that maintain a level, smooth surface. Because of the longer stretches, this trail is ideal for active walking groups and residents with greater mobility.

You can access the Mount Vernon Trail in several spots, including Daingerfield Island and Founders Park. Those access points provide you with a scenic walk with options to stop for coffee or lunch with your walking group after you're done. 

Green Springs Gardens

For year-round walking groups, Green Springs Gardens delivers botanical beauty in every season. This Fairfax County park is a tranquil walking destination with gentle paths that pass by flower gardens and the historic manor house on the grounds. 

While you can go for walks on your own at any time, Green Springs Gardens also hosts regular events, including guided nature walks and horticultural classes. Check the events calendar and consider combining one of your normal group outings with one of the events to combine exercise and learning. 

Green Springs Gardens is a senior-friendly option due to its gentle, paved paths. It also offers seating areas and quiet spots to rest and reflect, making it suitable for all fitness levels. 

Walking Group Life at The Landing

The Landing provides a wellness-centric culture that encourages you to embrace life and age actively. Part of that is our prominent walking group life within our community. Highlights of walking group participation include:

• Organized walks and resident involvement. With walking groups for all fitness levels, The Landing makes it easy for you to get involved in a group where you feel comfortable. Scheduled outings to local parks and on-campus walks provide a variety of settings to keep your group walks interesting.
• Wellness-focused lifestyle. Our walking groups fit into the overall culture of wellness at The Landing. Our wellness philosophy is to integrate movement into your daily routines and make it a part of your lifestyle. Organized walks are just one way we do that.
• Transportation and support. The Landing may be able to provide transportation for your walking group when you plan outings to local parks. This option allows even greater accessibility to unique walking areas near the campus.

Visit The Landing

Whether it's a quiet morning stroll or a lively afternoon group outing, walking is a simple yet powerful way to stay healthy and connected. For residents of The Landing, Alexandria offers a wide variety of scenic, senior-friendly parks to explore just minutes from home. With supportive programming, local access, and a beautiful wellness-focused campus, The Landing makes it easy to step outside and thrive. Call us at 571-568-7621 to schedule a tour and see the nearby parks for yourself.