If you’re an experienced Virginia hiker, you’ve most likely encountered some traces of the past along many of our state’s famed trails.

Yet few people realize that one of our very own parks holds the remains of an abandoned village. And you can access it via a gorgeous forested trail. So the next time you find yourself in northern Virginia, be sure to visit Great Falls Park and take the Matildaville Trail. You’re in for a beautiful hike and a journey back in time.

The year was 1790. A man by the name of Henry Lee III signed a 900-year lease for what he believed would be a thriving community, Matildaville, named for his late wife.

Wayne Hsieh/flickr

Matildaville was once home to a prosperous community along the newly-opened Patowmac Canal. The village was a prime tourist destination along the canal, featuring a gristmill, stores, and even an inn visited by Theodore Roosevelt.

Sonny W./flickr

Yet the canal didn’t live up to its promise and the town declined with it. By 1828, families had moved out and the village was left for ruin.

Rakesh A/flickr

Visit Great Falls Park today and you’ll still find ruins of the abandoned Matildaville when you take the namesake trail.

Linda Thomas-Fowler/flickr

The trail measures just 1.3 miles roundtrip and offers a fascinating insight into what remains of the former settlement.

Scott Stange/AllTrails

Be sure to take your time as you meander down this trail. Historic markers and signs offer insight into Matildaville’s past. You won’t help but feel a sense of both loss and wonder while admiring these 19th-century ruins.

Scott Stange/AllTrails

Curious to learn more about this trail? Be sure to visit AllTrails for a map and additional details. For more abandoned places in Virginia, you’ll love reading about These 7 Ghost Towns In Virginia That Are Beautiful Yet Haunting.

Wayne Hsieh/flickr

Sonny W./flickr

Rakesh A/flickr

Linda Thomas-Fowler/flickr

Scott Stange/AllTrails

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