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Great Falls Overlook – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

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Running trails & routes

Great Falls Overlook – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Moderate

3.2

(28)

runners

Great Falls Overlook – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

01:13

10.9km

120m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.82 km

Widewater

Highlight • Lake

As you ride onto the wide canal bend, you’re met with serene water views—Widewater is a beautiful lake that serves as habitat for many bird and wildlife species. It’s an ideal spot to pause, do some birdwatching, and soak in the calm before continuing your journey along the Potomac and the Chesapeake & Ohio canal.

Tip by

3.41 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

3.76 km

No bridge too far

Highlight • Trail

5.34 km

Great Falls Observation Platform

Highlight • Viewpoint

Washington Aqueduct Dam: A water supply dam for Washington, D.C. located just above the Great Falls.

Tip by

5.43 km

Washington Aqueduct Observation Platform

Highlight • Viewpoint

Washington Aqueduct was constructed back in the mid-1800s by the Army Corps of Engineers to provide water to Washington, D.C., and is still used today. The observation platform for the aqueduct is right next to the C&O and grants you views across the expansive Potomac River. Just across the trail exists a collection of other historic sites.

Tip by

5.95 km

Great Falls Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is a spectacular waterfall on the Potomac River. Water gushes over a series of jagged rocks and flows through the Mather Gorge.

The falls are surrounded by an 800-acre park of the same name – a lovely place to go exploring! 15 miles (24 km) of trails run through the park.

Tip by

6.02 km

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Highlight • Trail

The Great Falls of the Potomac is a place with various rapids and small falls in the Potomac. The place marked here may only be entered on foot. Bicycles and dogs 😜 must stay outside.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.31 km

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Highlight • River

Great Falls has a scenic Horseshoe Bend where the river curves in a horseshoe shape around a rocky outcrop. It's a nice spot to stop for photos on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail.

Tip by

6.90 km

Lock 15 and View of the Potomac River

Highlight • River

Lock 15 marks the beginning of the "Six Locks" series, which raises the canal 50 feet past Great Falls. Built from red sandstone boulders transported from Seneca, these locks differ from the other granite-built "Seven Locks." From Lock 15, hikers can enjoy beautiful views of the Potomac River.

Tip by

10.9 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.87 km

3.58 km

363 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

7.01 km

2.85 km

814 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Wednesday 24 June

28°C

15°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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Great Falls Overlook – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Widewater

No bridge too far

Great Falls Observation Platform

Washington Aqueduct Observation Platform

Great Falls Overlook

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Lock 15 and View of the Potomac River

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