Reston's topography features the classic rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont. Elevations range from approximately 200 feet in the stream valleys to nearly 400 feet on the higher ridges. The landscape is deeply carved by small tributaries feeding into the Potomac River watershed.
The town's design works harmoniously with this topography. Rather than flattening the land, original architects built earth-bermed structures (most notably Terraset Elementary School, which is built into a hillside) and terraced townhomes that step down toward the lakes. The valleys are generally preserved as wooded parkland and natural drainage areas, while the ridges host the community's arterial roads and commercial centers.