Overview
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 and gravel surface which makes it a less smooth surface from the GAP but it 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 in your tour: * 3 nights in hand-picked inns & B&Bs * Breakfast every morning * Digital maps, voice navigation & electronic itinerary * Trail T-shirt & patch Need any extras? * Luggage shuttle — your bags moved each day * Bike Rentals – Hybrid (manual) and E-bikes available * Extra Night Accommodation before or after the tour * Shuttle from Georgetown (DC) to Cumberland Trail: Off-Road gravel and dirt. Mileage: 180 miles - 45 mile daily average Tour timing: Late April through October You ride — we handle the rest.
Schedule
4-day C&O Towpath Trail Itinerary - (daily mileage 43, 41, 45, 55)
Previous
Next
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 at 3pm if you included shuttle return.
Dates (other dates available)
April 2027
- Sun
- Mon
- Tue
- Wed
- Thu
- Fri
- Sat
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
11 - 14 April 2027
FROM$500.00/pp
2 Beds - 2 people
11 - 14 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
11 - 14 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
12 - 15 April 2027
FROM$500.00/pp
2 Beds - 2 people
12 - 15 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
12 - 15 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
13 - 16 April 2027
FROM$500.00/pp
2 Beds - 2 people
13 - 16 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
13 - 16 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
14 - 17 April 2027
FROM$500.00/pp
2 Beds - 2 people
14 - 17 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
14 - 17 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
15 - 18 April 2027
FROM$500.00/pp
2 Beds - 2 people
15 - 18 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
15 - 18 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
16 - 19 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
16 - 19 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
16 - 19 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
17 - 20 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
17 - 20 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
17 - 20 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
18 - 21 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
18 - 21 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
18 - 21 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
19 - 22 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
19 - 22 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
19 - 22 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
20 - 23 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
20 - 23 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
20 - 23 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
21 - 24 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
21 - 24 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
21 - 24 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
22 - 25 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
22 - 25 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
22 - 25 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
23 - 26 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
23 - 26 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
23 - 26 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 2 people
24 - 27 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
24 - 27 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
24 - 27 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
25 - 28 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
25 - 28 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
25 - 28 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 2 people
26 - 29 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
26 - 29 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
26 - 29 April 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 2 people
27 - 30 April 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
27 - 30 April 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
27 - 30 April 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
28 April - 01 May 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
28 April - 01 May 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
28 April - 01 May 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
29 April - 02 May 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
29 April - 02 May 2027
FROM$600.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 1 person
29 April - 02 May 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
1 Queen Bed - 2 people
30 April - 03 May 2027
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2 Beds - 2 people
30 April - 03 May 2027
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1 Queen Bed - 1 person
30 April - 03 May 2027
FROM$950.00/pp
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