This short loop just off the W&OD trail in Glencarlyn Park is paved, striped and the perfect place for beginners. Kids and other learners can get used to riding on a trail while also picking up important trail etiquette before moving onto bigger paths. A water bottle filler station will keep everyone happy and refreshed.

Winding from Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon, this 18-mile trail is largely flat and mostly car free, making it the perfect path to hop on and off of with little ones. You’ll share the trail, and its panoramic views of DC’s monuments and wetlands, with bikers, joggers, dog walkers and other families. The trail is dotted with plenty of water fountains and picnic tables for when everyone needs a break.

Families love this 20-mile path that circles the Anacostia River. Since it isn’t a commuter trail, it tends to be less crowded and intense than some of the other paths in and around the city. The full trail runs from the Tidal Basin in DC to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, but you can hop on and off wherever you like. Views you don’t normally see of the city plus fun ponds make stopping for a break even more enjoyable.

Save for a half-mile uphill section between Oxon Hill Road and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, this roughly 3.5-mile trail is flat and easy enough for young riders.

Hop on and off this 45-mile path that runs between Shirlington and Purceville, through Falls Church, Arlington, Reston and more. It is paved the entire way, making it a favorite route for serious cyclists and commuters. But don’t let that scare you off. As long as your crew is steady on their bikes and aware of proper biking etiquette, the trail is a great place to get a ride in.

Starting in Hyattsville, the 10.6-mile path runs through Takoma Park and ends at Wheaton Regional Park. Other sections of the trail can be hilly with busy street crossings, so pick the section that’s right for you and your family and get out there!