C&O Canal Towpath Reviews

This is a great place for a solo, family, or friends to walk, run, or bike. The tow path is a wide, level surface with a VERY gradual climb in elevation from Washington, DC along the Potomac River to Cumberland, MD. Over 180 niles if you travel the entire length.
My friends and I started at Shepherdstown (this time) and walked 5 miles toward DC. The day was lovely, the trees are mature and provide good shade. The water ensures that the breezes are cool.

Let me preface my review by saying it is based 100% on my cycling experience and nothing else.

If you plan on biking the C&O towpath be aware that 90% of the people on the path between D.C. and Harpers Ferry range from blissfully unaware to down right rude. If you plan on cycling at a snails pace this path should suit your needs. If you like biking and finding that path blocked by tourists taking photo you’ll love it. If you enjoy being berated for having the audacity of passing someone by all means visit. Personally I’d rather give 495 a try than return to this path.

I've done the trail 2 and 1/2 times (my first trip failed around mile 72) and loved it. It is not as smooth as other trails, but that is part of it's charm. Highlights include the Paw Paw Tunnel, Great Falls, and Fort Frederick. You can take smaller chunks if you just want a nice day out.

We did a twenty mile bike ride on the trail. We started at points of rock MD where the parking lot is currently blocked because of work on the train tracks. You can still park before the tracks and carry your bike over the tracks. It's not difficult to do and plenty of people were doing it. We went south for 10 miles which was mostly a flat shade covered unpaved trail. Can't wait to go back and ride another part of over 150 mile trail.

This pathway stretches for many miles and they're all quite nice. We have previously explored the towpath out of Georgetown and it's very beautiful but there are more people on the path in this area. We began this biking adventure in Leesburg, VA at the White's Ferry point on the trail (rented our bikes from Get Out and Go Tours) and biked 25 easy miles up the river to Harper's Ferry. You can lock your bike up at the pedestrian bridge into town or carry it up stairs to walk into town (which is across the river). We stayed at Towns Inn at the bottom of town and explored the historic city before continuing our ride the next day up the towpath to Williamsport (40 miles). That may sound like a lot of miles to some folks but with a nice picnic lunch break (which the hotel provided) halfway along the trail it's not that hard since the path is pretty flat. We stayed at Elmwood Farm B&B which I'll review separately but the great thing about this accommodation is they cater to bikers. They picked us up at the towpath in Williamsport and in the morning they drove us back to the tow path further down river to shorten our return journey. It was a great 3 days along the C&O Canal riding by restored locks and beautiful views of the river. We can't wait to ride another segment! (FYI: There is a trail guide available on line that identifies where you can find services along the towpath that is very helpful when planning your trip.)

My wife and I go here often and walk different sections with our dog. Each season is different with different things to see. Wildlife is plentiful, especially birds. The towpath can be crowded, especially when you get close to Washington. Bikers sometime race up behind you without notice which can be frustrating. When you get out past Great Falls, it does get quieter. Week days are very quiet compared to weekends.

Great Falls is definitely worth a visit. It is the one place in the park that you have to pay to get in. It is a bit of a hike from the parking lot to the falls but it's pretty flat and is handicap accessable.

Tourists to the area my not be as interested as locals but it's great for anyone who needs a quiet walk with nature.

If you are looking for a cycling adventure - this is one of those places. My husband and I started from Cumberland and stayed at local B&B's down through to DC and then took the train back to Cumberland. The trail has a variety of surfaces but overall manageable and entirely enjoyable. We had a day of rain but were prepared with pannier covers and our raincoats. We had a couple of detours along the way as there was maintenance going on. A storm had rolled through and we had a few trees down that we had to get our gear across. Trail was two-track from Cumberland through to Hancock - quite beautiful. We saw three river otters at Everetts Creek, lots of deer, herons, turtles, egrets etc. We traveled during the paw paw fruit harvest and enjoyed eating a few along the way. From Hancock on it was a gravelly type surface - not sure what it was but it was a ground stone that hardened and that surface was the easiest to travel. At Great Falls National Park, the surface got more gravelly with some larger rocks but was still manageable. The falls are spectacular and riding through the park you have great views of the Potomac and can see why the towpath was necessary. We were able to find the 0 marker and then biked around the DC National Mall. We took 6 days to bike - definitely quiet time to get away and enjoy the outdoors. We stayed at local B&B's along the way and Swains Lock - Lockhouse 21 on the trail. You have to bring your own linens and food in but we were prepared for that. Our overnights were in Paw Paw, Hancock, Williamsport, Harpers Ferry, Swains Lockhouse and then back to Cumberland. All in all, highly recommend if you are looking for a great biking adventure.

If you want to see the Great Falls of the Potomac, it is best to visit on the Maryland side. There is a short walk over several pedestrian bridges from the C & O Canal towpath to the falls. The views are spectacular. Be sure to visit the museum that shows how the canal worked and how people lived along the canal. Just take the Clara Barton Parkway along the Potomac from DC. It will become McArthur Blvd. Just follow the signs. It is operated by the National Park Service.

We traveled the 3.5 miles opposite Harpers Ferry. It is level, wide, shaded, gravel surface that was packed with flora and fauna! The gleeful shouts of the people tubbing one side and the turtles, deer and geese on the other ! What a fun day ! =]

We did a part of the Capitol Crescent trail and other of the C&O Canal Towpath (check my review about the Capitol Crescent Trail).
It was very nice. The views are beautiful. And it's a very peaceful and pleasant trail.
We had brunch in Kafe Leopold and then we walked for more than 2 hours, from Georgetown to Betsheda.
You will need:
-water
-sunscreen

This National Park is really excellent. Historical surprises, natural wonders, and proximity to nice towns makes this bicycle tour a really pleasant one. Following the literal towpath where the mules pulled the canal boats upstream along the Potomac River from DC to Cumberland, the path takes you through 76 locks and over many brides and other natural features. The wilderness-like setting allows you to revel in your narrow corridor while taking time to read informative historical signs. We took 5 days for this trail from Cumberland to Georgetown, staying overnights at local Bed and Breakfast locations. With a company shuttling our luggage from place to place, this was an easy way to explore bicycle touring while not being laden. It was easier on us and easier on the bicycles.

Although the season had been rainy and mud was promised by many who had traveled the path recently before us, we had little problem on our 700C x 28 mm tires on road and gravel bikes. Even in October, places were open for midday meals and dinner locations in the towns allowed for local flavor of multiple types.

Our schedule was open enough for making short side visits to Shepherdtown, WV, to Cumberland, MD, to Antietam National Battlefield, and to the Great Falls of the Potomac. Due only to a portion of the trail that was closed due to a washout, we didn't get a chance to go to Harper's Ferry. Sometimes the trail was straight and level, allowing glances to the sides for wildlife viewing, and at other times, the trail went through the locks and natural features that required strict attention to the trail. We were happy to see groups of school children enjoying the natural area and to have days that varied in temperature and in precipitation.

This is a great place to bring your bike and bike ride along the towpath on the canal. The bike trail follows the Potomac river all the way into Georgetown or you can go north. Great visitors center at the parks entrance. Plenty of parking. This summer a section of the canal will be repaired and you will be able to ride on one of the canal boats. Also has an easy to walk to view the falls from the Maryland side.

We go out of our way to use the C&O Canal Tow path half a dozen times every year. This wide, single lane gravel path is perfect for a walk, hike or bike ride. There are campgrounds with fire pits and port-a-potties every 5 or so miles. There are towns or cities every 10-20 miles along the tow path. We often pick 1 town as a starting place and then bike to the next town, have lunch and then bike back. The trail is fairly well groomed and is very flat. Just be thoughtful to your fellow path-goers and remember to share the road!

Great for walking or riding you bicycle. It is well maintained. Nice view of the Potomac river in most places, Easy access at many places. Comfort stations every few miles(valts). Look at what is left of the locks and water gates and many other things.

I rode the GAP to Cumberland, MD, and then the C&O toward Washington, DC, leaving the C&O via White's Ferry at Leesburg, VA. The C&O towpath trail is not nearly as well maintained as the GAP trail. My ride out of Cumberland going south was on a day with heavy rain. There was no chance to look at scenery unless I stopped. There were just too many potholes filled to the brim with water, and muddy ruts to negotiate. I was riding a mountain bike with 45mm street tires mounted, and fenders with plenty of clearance. They did well; I did not fall, but knobby tires would have felt more secure in the slimy ruts and puddles. I discovered that the bottoms of the puddles were firm enough to plow through directly; whereas the muddy ruts at the edges where riders had tried to avoid the puddles were often more slippery. When the weather broke and the puddles mostly dried up, the riding was very enjoyable, and the scenery and wildlife watching were sublime. At Slackwater, the NP Service has built the trail out on a shelf directly next to the Potomac. The trail is very firm in places like this where they have recently improved things. The section just south of Cumberland seems to be the least well maintained, and the trail improves as you approach Washington. At Harpers Ferry, if you want to take your bicycle into town, you have to carry it up three stories on a spiral staircase to reach the pedestrian bridge over the Potomac. They could have designed this better! Cellphone coverage is often spotty or nonexistent along the way. Wildlife is abundant, small towns are often nearby, but often you have to climb a very steep hill to get there from the almost flat towpath. Ten miles outside of Hancock, MD in both directions you can take the Western Maryland bike trail which parallels the C&O towpath, but is paved. This is a welcome relief after the muddy miles and rough going. At Hancock, you can hose off your bike for $5 at the bike shop immediately adjacent to the WM Bike trail, and even stay in their primitive bunk house out back for $10, shower and bike wash included. This is a good place to meet up with other cyclists and swap yarns. Another memorable stop was Oldtown, MD, where a simple sign announces "Food and Drink" directing you to the Schoolhouse Kitchen. Apparently the local high school was consolidated with Cumberland, MD and the building was purchased cheaply by a local family who serves up cheap, abundant comfort food in the old school cafeteria. This was a welcome retreat on my rainy ride out of Cumberland. Oddly, the NP Service does not allow any signs in the park itself, nor do their brochures advertise any lodging information. But Cumberland publishes a xeroxed "cheat sheet" with lodging and camping listed by mile post. Make sure to get one of these or you will have to guess about where things are off the canal which is surrounded by heavy woods. At Oldtown, I managed to make a cell phone call to one of the listed places to stay: Barb's Alpaca Farm. Barb even came down to the Schoolhouse Kitchen to pick me and my bike up, and dropped me off there the next morning! But lodging is not as abundant as it is along the GAP. However, there are many primitive campgrounds right next to the trail. They have grass, pit toilet, and a water pump (often dry, so check before you pitch your tent). You must pack out any garbage. I left the trail at White's Ferry just north of Washington, in order to bike to the new Air & Space Museum at Chantilly, VA using part of the Washington and Old Dominion bike trail. If you leave the towpath to visit adjacent towns, expect a stiff climb uphill. I tried to stay in Sharpsburg to visit Antietam battlefield, but all lodging was full. I wasted energy climbing up but I could not get a cell signal down on the towpath. I detoured to Shepherdstown, WV on the other side of the river instead.

Pedal the Potomac and enjoy long, flat stretches of car free bicycling. There are a bevy of B&B's along here--and lots of history. The trail is accessible, flat, and lovely. Saw deer and a turtle and plenty of birds and some fascinating humans pedaling along. We pedaled the portion near Antietam and then stayed in Shepherdstown, WV--delightful!

Loved this trail. We took the Amtrak from Chicago to Pittsburgh, Pa. arrived at Union Station in Pittsburgh @ 6:00 am in the morning with Bill's Taxi Service waiting for us outside the main door t o whisk us to the trailhead in McKeesport - McKeespoint Park. Trip to the Park via taxi with Bikes about $40.

I highly recommend riding this trail. It is all about the great people you will meet along the way and the food.

Pack lite and pack a flashlight for the tunnels on the C & O side of the trail. Camping is free from Cumberland and points south. The Porta Potties were well maintained and not to be feared.

During our first day of rising we had some cyclist warn us of the snake sunny itself in the middle of trail and to not run over it. Later on the last day when approaching D.C. we got to see a Heron eat a Snake.

A group of 4 of us (two 28 year old rather athletic girls, a 60+ experienced cyclist, and me - a just turned 60 very amateur cyclist) biked from Pittsburgh to DC along the GAP and C&O Towpath in June 2015. We did the whole trip in 6 days - 5 60+ mile days, and one 45 mile day.

Anyone who has reviewed this here and says it is a piece of cake for amateurs (1) did a relatively small portion or relatively few miles per day, (2) had good weather, (3) did it during a relative dry spell so the trail was at best conditions.

We had good weather throughout while riding, but there were storms overnight nearly every night and the trail was in rather tough shape. We hit many, frequent, deep and large mud slicks. There are large tree routes, sometimes hidden in mud slicks, as well as pot holes, sticks, and rocks. I had recently purchased a Salsa Vaya bike (a "gravel grinder" touring bike), and while I cursed my local bike shop for this rather heavy, wide tired bike on the two day climb in good conditions from Pittsburgh to Meyersdale, I blessed them every bit of the way on the C&O. We did 60 miles a day, which was a bit much, especially for these conditions. We did one 45 mile day, which was the hardest of all due to particularly bad conditions that day.

I do not want to discourage anyone from doing this trip - it is not to be missed! Just be prepared. If you hit bad weather, try to have some flexibility in your schedule to accommodate. We were completely encrusted in mud from head to toe (and bikes) every day. If you don't like dirt, make sure you go at a dry time! We did too many miles a day to stop and enjoy the area as much as we would have liked. Next time, I would do is slower. You will never see anything quite like it!

Don't miss the Mile 0 marker in Georgetown. It is well hidden on a little patch of grass just beyond Thompson's Boat House!

We went here later afternoon with the family. We entered near the Great Falls, MD side and walked to the Great Falls overlook. The walk along the canal and the river was so beautiful. My kids had a blast being boys and playing with the rocks. I enjoyed the Great Falls boardwalk onto the island. We got to watch many a kayaker going over the falls from the overlook. Fun times.

Rode the C and O as part of a combined GAP and C and O towpath tour from Pittsburgh to Washington. The combination of the linked trails over this length makes for a possibility for a long-distance off road adventure. Imagine going for 11 days without seeing a single fast food chain restaurant, and passing through small towns frozen in another time when this area was booming!

The C and O trail itself has been deliberately left in a rustic state-intermediate between a bike path and mountain bike trail. We rode hybrid bikes with rigid forks that were perfectly adequate for the GAP, but gave us problems on the mud and gravel of the C and O. One of us experienced progressive neck pain and stiffness to the point where he could only ride for 20-30 minutes at a time. The other cyclist experienced complete hand numbness on both sides despite good quality handlebar grips and cycling gloves. Cyclists planning on a through trip on the C and O should consider bikes with a light duty front suspension, which I believe would have addressed our difficulties and made the trip more pleasant. Because there are no services directly on the trail, cyclists should be prepared to handle simple repairs such as flat tires. Good quality tires such as Schwalbe puncture resistant or equivalent tires are a must for this trail, but we still experienced a puncture. We are experienced long distance cyclists in our 50s.

The trail itself is peaceful, lush, beautiful and you will feel remote from the noise and activity of modern life. Wildlife is abundant, such as deer, grouse, geese, and turtles. The Potomac is always beside you and you can imagine a time even before the railroad. Historical markers point out interesting historical and natural features. The locks and lockhouses have been left in a semi-restored state. There are many views which are evocative of romantic era paintings of ruins in nature. There are few cyclists until the outskirts of Washington and the feeling of being alone with nature over hours and days is an important part of the experience.

Unserviced campsites are available at regular intervals, or inn to inn accommodation can be found along the towns of the canal.

Highly recommended for cyclists who are prepared and experienced.

Rode from DC to Pittsburgh on C&O / GAP with friends.
Took about 4 1/2 days. We averaged 75 miles a day.
Would like to redo it and take longer so I could get off and visit towns.
We ate really good food

We challenged our boy scouts (age 13, 13 & 15) and my daughter (age 12) to complete the whole C&O from Maryland to DC in 5 days to earn the 50 mile award. We ended up riding 200 miles as we made stops along the way. We decided to start from Maryland and end in DC so we could really enjoy outdoors before getting back to civilization. We had another leader drive along our route and move our car so we didn't have to go back to pick up the car. The path is great way to get everyone cycling since it's FLAT and well kept. Not a lot of other bikers (might have seen 2-4 per day), but as we got closer to DC, there was definitely more riders. You have to research prior to going if you're planning to do the entire path since some water pumps were closed. Porta potty's were pretty clean. No showers, so don't forget to bring the wipes. Good thing we didn't have to worry about bears, we didn't have to carry canisters and were able to drop off trash at nearby towns. No issues with finding a campsite, and even if another camper is on the premise, the sites are large enough to pitch a couple of tents for the night. The ride is quite varied, allows for quick stops into towns, and even offer spots where you can take a dip. Since we went at the end of August, it was hot! Not to mention, there were LOTS of mosquitoes-- we rode to avoid getting bit, otherwise the mosquitoes were ready to feast! It was unbearable. All in all, as our first bike/camping trip it was a great trip even with the mosquitoes. I definitely recommend this trail for a long bike/camping trip!

I used to hike and ride my bike on the C&O Towpath, but in the past few years up until last month when the horseback riding season ended I have been riding horses on it. Going on horseback beside the Potomac River is fantastic. The last time we had 13 riders with 13 horses, and it was an evening trip that ended with a bonfire and s'mores. All under a full moon.

Left from Georgetown on the 7th of June - took the "Capital Cresant outta town cuz of it bein' paved - YET, be aware that down the path on the Cap C. , there's NOT a clear indication of where to get onto the C&O; made it the 35 miles to Leesburg that 1st night {as per the Planning-sites indication - there are NO facilities / hotels / or places to get across the Potomac, not far into the Path from Georgetown - to Leesburg - where there's a "ferry" service.

A DEFINITE consideration IS the weather! In that part of the Country it can rain for hours ["probably" DAYS :( ] . Overall, "The" Path was in fair condition - with not too much mud - BUT, in raining conditions, there ARE lulls in the path that DO accumulate water / shallow puddles. We made it as far as Shepardstown. The scenery is somewhat confined due to the extent of vegetation / tree growth along the Path; most of the time the Potomac is obscured or restricted from view.

The most interesting section of the Path is around Great Falls of the Potomac. The geography or terrain changes to reveal out-croppings of rock and some different varieties of evergreen trees. The Falls and surrounding area are amazing - especially due to the heavy rains which influenced the water-flow.

We stayed at Leesburg, Harpers Ferry, and Shepardstown - in hotels. We took the W&OD back to DC from Leesburg on the back-course / return trip - the W&OD is a great dedicated PAVED path.

The C & O Canal Towpath is a hiking/biking trail steeped in history with access to Civil War sites. It stretches from Washington DC to Cumberland Md which is about 180 miles.
We biked from Shepherdstown WV to Harpers Ferry and back. To understand the history of the canal, I hope you either read about it prior or stop at the many infromative signs along the way.
Your bike should either have hybrid tires or fat tires but not the narrow road tires. The trail can be rugged with some rocks and roots.

I recently ventured out to the C&O Canal National Historical Park. It extends from Georgetown in DC up to Cumberland, MD (184.5 miles) although originally it was intended to run all the way up to Pittsburgh, PA for the purpose of connecting the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River. More historical as well as current information can be found at one of the seven visitor centers located in Georgetown, Potomac (open year round), Brunswick, Sharpsburg, Williamsport (open year round), Hancock, or Cumberland (open year round).

This particular visit was to the peaceful canal town of Point of Rocks, MD where the C&O canal and the B&O railroad once battled for the right of way back in 1828-1832. The courts eventually decided in favor of the canal leading to the Point of Rocks tunnel to be blasted by the railroad company just west of the U.S. Route 15 Point of Rocks bridge.

5 years later in 1837, Lockhouse 28 was completed which is situated about 0.7 miles west of the POR parking lot. In the parking lot facing the Potomac River, turn right or westward and walk for 15 minutes on the towpath until you reach one of the remaining 26 lockhouses left standing at Lock 28. As part of the Canal Quarters program, Lockhouse 28 is one of only six lockhouses available for visitors to spend the night in. For only $100 a night, you too could enjoy the rustic experience of living back in the 1830's.

The C&O Canal park (otherwise known as the Maryland side of Great Falls) is spectacular. If you'd just like an easy afternoon walk, take a short stroll (less than a mile) to the Great Falls Overlook. If you'd like a mini-adventure (and want to forget you're in DC), head to Billy Goat Trail (Section A). There are small rock scrambles and gorgeous views. If you'd prefer a walk in the woods, try out Gold Mine Loop, which starts behind the visitors center. ALWAYS grab a map if you don't know where you are. The trails are easy to follow, but there are many of them.

The C & O Canal Towpath, part of the National Park System, wanders through a beautiful part of Maryland that feels so rural you would never know it is a short drive from the congestion of Washington's sprawl.
I personally have only walked a small part of the path and am sure that different sections have different personalities. The path is used by those walking, jogging, and biking.
The portion of the path I visited is in Patomic in Montgomery County. The purpose of my visit was a stay overnight in one of 6 historic lockkeeper's house that are available for rent from C & O Canal Trust's Canal Quarters program.
Lockhouse #22 is a stone house located on a thin piece of land between the C&O Canal and The Potomic River. It was built in 1830 andhas been restored to accuracey of the period. There is no electric or running water. A parking area is a short walk away so we carried in water and there was a port-a-potty. Downstairs are a dining room and sitting room. Upstairs are 2 bedrooms that sleep a total of 8 on rope and trundle beds. FIres are not allowed inside, but there is a big pile of firewood and a fire ring outside.
So of the other lockhouses available for rent are more modern.
After reading through the journal and historic books downstairs (byt flashlight) I tucked into a sleeping bag and, listening to the sounds of water passing through the lock, I had a wonderful sleep with thoughts of this important piece of history the canal system is.

Stumbled across this beautiful area to walk, ride a bike or kayak. Go to the Potomac, MD area to see the Great Falls and take the mule drawn barge ride. In this area they have restrooms, a snack stand and shaded picnic area. Use your National Park Passport for free parking on weekends. During the week there was no one to accept parking admissions. This was a hidden gem while touring the DC area. Little restaurants along the way and beautiful scenery, just choose your parking area and venture out. The towpath runs for over 100 miles to West Virginia for the really adventuresome types.

This is a great path for walking or riding bikes. You may want to check out the towpath when it isn't a weekend as it gets super crowded making it difficult to walk and bike. Towards the end of the day after a busy weekend expect the bathrooms to smell really bad and have overflowing trash cans.

Fifteen minutes from our nation's capitol, in the heart of thriving Montgomery County, Maryland is the C&O canal and towpath. The canal itself was created to transport coal from Cumberland Maryland to Georgetown prior to the coming of the railroad, which ultimately made the use of the canal for transport of coal obsolete. Over the years the canal and towpath fell into disrepair until Chief Justice Douglas, an avid outdoorsman advocated for it to become a national park. Today the canal and towpath is a recreational paradise. Bicycling, hiking, canoeing all can be done. In addition to the towpath which runs adjacent to the canal itself, there are many trails off of the path that afford the hiker a more rigorous workout. One such trail is the Billy Goat trail which leads the hiker over rocks, through the woods, and along the Potomac River. You can spend an hour on the canal, or all day. Secluded spots on rocks that jut out into the wider portions of the canal offer great picnic, or fishing spots. Parking for the canal is anywhere there is a gatehouse, but the largest parking area is across from Old Angler's Inn in Potomac, Md.

We were taken to this site inadvertently by our GPS instead of taking us to Harpers Ferry across the river and were glad it did. The road is very narrow and winding but the ruins of the old canal and locks around the rapids are clearly seen. There is a gravel walking path and signage at some points.

I've hiked, biked and camped on the C&O Canal. If you like adventure and the outdoors the C&O Canal is the place to go. Just like any hiking trails get a friend or group to go with you, do not do it alone. Parts of the C&O Canal have a lot people doing all kinds of activities but parts of it you are on your own. The trail is not paved it is rugged and that is why the C&O Canal is so famous, people come from everywhere to experience this trail. Throughout the C&O Canal are campsites and people are allowed to camp on these sites for 1 night, and usually one will find firewood already cut and fire pit ready for the camper to enjoy the night. And in the morning you wake up fresh from breathing fresh air and very much disposed and full of energy to continue on your journey or to go back home. It is a wonderful experience! Also, on the C&O Canal you can hike the Billy Goat trail which a lot of people enjoy. I have not hiked this trail yet. But, I do recommend the C&O Canal for all levels of fun.

The C&O Canal towpath is a great place for a day trip or a hiking/camping trip. You can take the family and ride the canal boat tour and have lunch at the park cafe or bring a picnic. If you like riding the rapids you can bring your kayak and ride the rapids through Great Falls. If you are a biker you can ride to Georgetown for lunch or head north and go for hours and camp overnight at one of the towpath campsites along the way to Cumberland.

I took a walk here with some friends, near Great Falls, in the vicinity of Potomac. There were many people out for a stroll on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, along with bikers and runners too. There's much to enjoy while walking along the tow path, with the canal on one side, and the river on the other. It's easy to spot turtles sunning themselves, herons waiting to strike and various other forms of wildlife along the canal. It can be a little crowded on a sunny weekend afternoon: be sure to watch out for bikers coming up from behind you.

We headed out late in the morning to get in some exercise. Started at the Bavarian Inn in WV, walked across the bridge and down the ramp and went South along the Potomac. Very easy, flat, and we'll maintained trail. Basically went as far as packhorse ford and headed back since it had started to rain heavily at that point. Took about an hour plus but there were some stops along the way for pictures and to pull socks up that had dropped down into shoes.

My honey & I did the Tow Path from Cumberland to Georgetown in early July. It hadn't rained in a week or so and didn't rain while we were on the trail but there was so much mud. The path isn't well maintained outside of Cumberland, Harper's Ferry and Great Falls and turns into to rutted tracks once you get a mile or less away from the major sites. Muddy, slippery, splattery rutted tracks. With lots of roots and rocks sticking up or hidden in the mud - just to keep things interesting.

We did the trip in 5 days, giving plenty of time to stop and see things, but instead it turned into plenty of time to ride slowly through mud. Especially the last day from White's Ferry to Georgetown - the first 2/3 of the ride were just endless deep mud puddles. Not fun.

There are some cute towns along the way and some nice scenery if you can raise your head from monitoring the path. Thank heavens our host in Little Orleans told us about the parallel paved path to Hancock. That was a much more enjoyable, normal speed day.

Also the National Park Service pretty thoroughly undersells the challenge of taking the Paw Paw Tunnel detour (it's closed right now for repair). It just says that there's a detour available and fails to mention that it's a very steep, narrow, rocky, root-sprinkled path that'd be a bit of a challenge to hike without a bike, let alone pushing a bike with 5 days worth of gear. We met a couple struggling up the mountain-ette with a tandem bike. No one was happy. I wouldn't do it again.

I hear the GAP trail is better maintained, maybe try that instead?

This is a beautiful river with countless scenic spots. Furthermore it’s readily accessible from numerous locations. The water was moving too rapidly in the places I visited for swimming though I did see people kayaking and boating. As for me, the Potomac is a great place for a romantic walk or relaxing jog (shout out to all my fellow C&O 100 participants).

If you like to walk the canal and want to explore very small caves on your own, try Snyder's Landing along the C & O canal, minutes from the Antietam Battlefield. As park rangers will tell you, townspeople from Sharpsburg, Maryland hid in caves along the canal during the historic Civil War Battle of Antietam (Sept. 16-18, 1862). That was enough to send us in search of them. It's best to go before vegetation is at its seasonal height. They are situated in the rock formations on the left of the path at about mile 75.5 of the canal. You can park legally and for free at Snyder's Landing and walk South. The caves start at about .8 miles. Some are very small chambers that can barely fit a few people, some are larger. One is reportedly over 100 feet long. We were stopped from going into that one for more than 10-15 feet as we discovered fairly large bats sleeping on the walls and did not want to disturb them. The cave ceiling is tall enough to stand easily, but, the bats were at our neck level. Last time, there were no bats, but we got there just at dusk and needed to get back to our car. In another, smaller cave, we saw cave formations, newly emerging, as well as some near the opening that suggested this had once been a larger cave. Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes, as the paths can be steep at times. The canal has been filled in with soil and vegetation. On the right, you'll see the Potomac River. Snyder's Landing can be a little tricky to find. Proceed out from the Antietam Battlefield along Route 34 toward the canal (and Shepherdstown). (You will not following the signs for Lock 38. Turn right on N. Potomac, then left (when the road comes to a "T"), then right along appropriately labelled "Snyder's landing Road." Follow that for several miles to the end. There is an official parking lot and a porta potty in a permanent structure in the parking lot--and nothing else. You proceed in the same direction and cross a small foot bridge, going left at the towpath. We found half a dozen accessible caves between Snyder's Landing and Killiansburg Cave Campsite.

Immerse yourself in nature - it is wonderful to have the well maintained path along the canal and close to the river. Yesterday there were majestic herons along the canal and scores of turtles sunning themselves along the shore.

This is a wonderful place to walk or bike. The towpath is flat. It isn't paved, but it is a packed surface that's easy to walk or bike along. Watch for Eagles and other wildlife along the way and stop in some of the towns along the towpath to enjoy a bite to eat and some local scenery.

We got on the rail trail (flat and paved) at Hancock MD and rode about 5-6 miles south (between mile markers 115 and 120) along the Potomac River and the old C & O canal and then returned to our starting point. We got there late in the afternoon and didn't have time to ride further but it was a wonderful ride through meadows, woods, and rock formations. Along the way we saw deer and many birds. There are historical placards all along the trail which are very interesting to read as well. It would be fun to ride the entire 185 mile trail but jumping onto to this small section was a nice treat at the end our day.

The C&O Canal Towpath (which was used to tow canal boats with a pair of oxen) runs all the way from the eastern edge of Georgetown, just south of M St, to Harper's Ferry, W VA. Many cyclists enjoy this 60 mile bike ride, while most users simply take a stroll, jog, hike, bike ride, fish or have a boat ride in the area between Georgetown and Great Falls, Maryland.

For cyclists, you can rent a bike in Georgetown near the Key Bridge on M St, entering the tow path within on minute. For boaters, you can rent a kayak, canoe or row boat at Fletcher's Boat House, about a mile up the towpath from Georgetown. There is ample parking for cars at Fletcher's (which is actually called Fletcher's Cove). Many families enjoy a row boat ride for an hour.

Further up the tow path, you can take a ride on a historic canal boat pulled by oxen, with guides dressed in traditional clothing, explaining all the history as you enjoy the slow, restful ride. Seniors, little ones and tired tourists of all ages delight in this enjoyable adventure.

My favorite tow path memory was a winter ten years ago when the canal water was frozen for two weeks. On a particular Sunday, Washington's residents from the Scandanavian embassies came out in force to play hockey, while the Dutch did some speed skating and the Irish and Minnesotans did curling. Our dog had a ball trying to run on the ice. It was all very safe, as the water is still most of the time and not deep.

Enjoy!

I can only speak about the sections we biked: Brunswick to Monocacy Aqueduct (round trip) and then Dargan to Harpers Ferry (and back). This trail is more like flat mountain biking than bike touring. The trail is all dirt, which turns to mud after it rains. And given the shady tree coverage of most of the trail, I would think it stays muddy for quite some time. The trail from Brunswick to Monocacy was very, very muddy and wet, with puddles, tree roots etc. The areas near the boat launches were a bit better, with some evidence of stone or gravel, but then it quickly returned to mud. I actually fell with my bike after the mud got the best of me and took my bike sideways - off into vegetation and down a slope towards the canal. So...if this happens to you also watch out for stinging nettles, I landed in quite a bunch and my legs were in bad shape for hours. Also be alert for snakes, we ran across a 5ft rat snake on the trail. Add in the heat, humidity and mosquitos, it was an adventure not to be forgotten.

The section from Dargan to Harpers Ferry was better the next day, not as much mud and nice scenery near the river - but yet lots of tree routes and rocks to deal with. It was fun to see the river and visit Harpers Ferry after arriving via bike. The aqueducts, old locks, lock houses and the river views are pleasant as is the sense of history, but I won't be hurrying back to complete this trail any time soon. And just for the record, we rode gravel road bikes with wide but not aggressive tread tires.