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C&O Canal Mountain Bike Trail
Washington, District of Columbia
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
7 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 3/17/11 by WVPedler |
Difficulty:  Easiest |
| Length: 183 miles | Global Rank: #2164 |
| Tread: Fire Road | Configuration: Out & Back |
| Ridden: 36 | Wishlist: 18 |
| Avg. Speed: 12.63 mph | Avg. Time: 2hr 0min |
Directions:
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Description: The trail is a great, cheap, 3 day weekend (or less, depending how fast, and how far you want to go) getaway that runs the length of the C&O Canal, which would have extended to Ohio if it weren't for the railroads. It is primarily flat, with a slight upgrade to Cumberland from DC. The trail is about 183 miles long (one way), and past Great Falls (great scenic point), there are water wells at intermittent trailside campsites, as well as port-a-johns. The water is a little discolored, probably due to rust and iodine used to purify the water - it is safe to drink. The best view I've ever seen from a Port-a-john is a the Paw Paw Tunnel, where the trail goes 3/5 miles through a mountain - have a light - it's longer than it would seem, trust me. Best times to go are late spring, early fall for unreal seasonal color changes - bring a tent, your significant other, maybe a camera, and marshmellows. We rode the trail in a little over 2 days, camped trailside, bathed in the river (really friggin cold water), ate MRE's. There's food in Cumberland, Hancock, and Harpers Ferry primarily - plan to take at least 3 days to really take in all there is to see. Historic Harper's Ferry, the rapids along the Potomac, especially at Great Falls, the museums, canal locks, historic houses, trestles, etc. It's worth it - screw Disney. You can also purchase reading material dedicated to this trail - I'm not exactly a historian. For me, it's a great escape from the concrete jungle I live in. Avoid weekends when it's nice if tourists, and family scrimmage lines on the trails annoy you - up to Great Falls, the trail is very popular. As you head west, watch for deer, black snakes. Bring paniers, and have fun.
added in 2003 by guest
Description: The trail is a great, cheap, 3 day weekend (or less, depending how fast, and how far you want to go) getaway that runs the length of the C&O Canal, which would have extended to Ohio if it weren't for the railroads. It is primarily flat, with a slight upgrade to Cumberland from DC. The trail is about 183 miles long (one way), and past Great Falls (great scenic point), there are water wells at intermittent trailside campsites, as well as port-a-johns. The water is a little discolored, probably due to rust and iodine used to purify the water - it is safe to drink. The best view I've ever seen from a Port-a-john is a the Paw Paw Tunnel, where the trail goes 3/5 miles through a mountain - have a light - it's longer than it would seem, trust me. Best times to go are late spring, early fall for unreal seasonal color changes - bring a tent, your significant other, maybe a camera, and marshmellows. We rode the trail in a little over 2 days, camped trailside, bathed in the river (really friggin cold water), ate MRE's. There's food in Cumberland, Hancock, and Harpers Ferry primarily - plan to take at least 3 days to really take in all there is to see. Historic Harper's Ferry, the rapids along the Potomac, especially at Great Falls, the museums, canal locks, historic houses, trestles, etc. It's worth it - screw Disney. You can also purchase reading material dedicated to this trail - I'm not exactly a historian. For me, it's a great escape from the concrete jungle I live in. Avoid weekends when it's nice if tourists, and family scrimmage lines on the trails annoy you - up to Great Falls, the trail is very popular. As you head west, watch for deer, black snakes. Bring paniers, and have fun.
added in 2003 by guest 
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by jfigel76 on December 25, 2011
170+miles of level dirt trail. Pretty remote in some spots. Shaded in a lot of spots. Plenty of places to park and camp. Bring your cyclocross bike for maximum speed.
Similar Trail: Any rail trail that is not paved.
reviewed by WVPedler on March 17, 2011
I have never ridden the whole trail but I usually do about 10-20 miles. Depending on who is with me. I ride here with my grandfather in-law and we have a good time. Smooth fire road so it is pretty easy to run a good pace. Great scenery where I ride it. It is also a great family trail.
reviewed by skibum on December 23, 2010
Nice scenery for the area, but definitely not mountain biking. VERY busy, mostly with walkers the closer you are to DC. There are a few short singletrack spots that go from the path to the river, but they're not really worth the detour and I can't vouch for their legality.
reviewed by mikespons on July 28, 2010
Great trail for a beginner like me, especially if you start on the "uphill" end. I am 55 and had never ridden more than 20 miles at one time in my life. I used a 3 speed comfort bike for the 204 mile trip, which shows how easy it is. Best tip. If you plan to start at Cumberland, MD, drive an extra few miles and start at Deal, PA on the Allegheny Passage bike trail on top of a mountain ridge and you can start your ride downhill all the way into Cumberland. Its an old RR so the grade is not too steep and the road surface is great (limestone dust that is almost as smoogh as asphalt). It has 2 long tunnels, you cross the eastern continental divide and Mason Dixon line and see some spectacular overlooks. Once you get into Cumberland you start the C&O trail which is a slight downhill all the way to DC. It has plenty of water stops and hiker biker campgrounds. You travel through a tunnel of trees all the way. There are historic sites to see too. To mix things up, take the parallel Western MD trail which is asphalt. For lunch we recommend Bill's in Little Orleans, the Downville, MD general store off of the detour, Kerrigan's general store in Point of Rocks [the store owner is very friendly and the sandwhiches were great] and we capped off our adventure in Martin's Tavern in Georgetown! If you don't want to camp there are usually inexpensive motels to stay in [Red Roof in Williamsport was great]. Skip Paw Paw WV its run down with few amenities. For a beginner, this is the trail to start on. However that is not to say you wont have a sore butt.
* Review edited 8/6/2010
reviewed by power_seen on May 21, 2009
I've been on this trail tons of times and it's more of a cruiser than anything. No obstacles or challenges in the southern section of this (between Georgetown and up to Great Falls). Certainly good to stretch the legs and get some great views. Definitely recommend taking a pit stop about 5 miles up the trail (after the Chain Bridge) and checking out the little trail to the left that will take you down to the river and let you get into the rocks on the banks.
reviewed by erictw83 on September 16, 2007
This isn't really a "mountain" biking trail. Its flat, its wide, its smooth, its a dirt road. But it is a great trail if u want to get out and spin with out dealing with cars. I gone for numerous 60-70 milers along here. The scenary is fantastic as the trail hugs the river. It's beautiful in the spring and fall. Yes it does get crowded with mother pushing baby strollers, but that's only if you ride near DC on a weekend afternoon. Try starting up near Poolesville and you get out there alone real quick in beautiful scenery. Bottom Line: Do this when you want a full day trip (or weekend) when u want to spin and relax somewhat or are looking strictly for a cardio workout.
Similar Trail: Buffalo Creek, CO
reviewed by kltbo on December 17, 2004
The C&O canal is a good family trail, no singletrack that I know of and very little of an incline. Gets crowded on weekends and such days. All in all a decent trail.
Similar Trail: W&OD
