Overview
Trail: Off-Road gravel and dirt. Mileage: 180 miles - 45 mile daily average Tour timing: Late April through October The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal Towpath is a 4-day, 3-night and 185 miles of great history and is a popular self-guided biking route from Cumberland, MD. to Washington, DC. It also connects with the Great Allegheny Passage for those wanting a longer bike tour. The C&O Towpath is a dirt surface which makes it a less smooth surface that is managed by the National Park Service. This path is on the North side of the Potomac River and was used to transport coal from the Allegheny Mountains from 1831 to 1924. The shaded non-vehicle path has a slightly downhill grade from West to East for most of the trail. The trail leads through many Civil War-era National Parks and battlefields, stone dams and turn of the century homes. What’s Included: Nightly Accommodations, Breakfast (in most locations), Digital Mapping & Voice Navigation, Electronic Itinerary, Trail Themed T-shirt and Patch. Extras: Shuttle from Georgetown (DC) to Cumberland, Luggage Shuttle, Bike Rentals and Extra Accommodations
Schedule
4-day C&O Towpath Trail Itinerary
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Day 1
Cumberland to Little Orleans (43 miles)
Park in Cumberland then head out and you will ride through the Paw Paw Tunnel (bring your light!) which is a highlight of today's ride. If you have rentals, go to Wheelzup Adventures to pick up your bike.
Day 2
Little Orleans to Williamsport (41 miles)
Today you can choose to ride the C&O all day or take a the paved Maryland Scenic Rail Trail which parallels the towpath just west of Hancock and then take a short detour to Fort Frederick. Stop in the town of Hancock for lunch before ending in Williamsport
Day 3
Williamsport to Brunswick (45 miles)
The Big Slackwater section is very unique on the towpath as you ride on a cantilevered concrete path above the Potomac River. Then you will be near Shepherdstown, WV and Sharpsburg, VA, the location of Antietam National Battlefield in the Civil War. You will then be near Harper's Ferry - look for bridge to cross - and see the National Park Service exhibit, shops and historic location, which is across from the trail
Day 4
Brunswick to DC (55 miles)
Your last day on the trail heading to Washington DC. Be sure to stop in at the Brunswick Railroad Museum before heading out. You will then pass White's Ferry, the last operating cable ferry on the Potomac. Then you can look over the edge at Great Falls before entering Georgetown where you will be picked up for your return to Cumberland.
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