Big Slackwater – Big Slackwater View loop from Harpers Ferry

Bike touring routes & trails

Big Slackwater – Big Slackwater View loop from Harpers Ferry

Hard

3.1

(11)

riders

Big Slackwater – Big Slackwater View loop from Harpers Ferry

08:49

114km

730m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 29, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

3.92 km

Potomac Water Gap

Mountain Pass

13.3 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail is one of the East Coast's premier bicycle pathways. It follows the abandoned Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and runs from Washington, DC, to Cumberland, Maryland.

Tip by

21.2 km

View of Potomac River Rapids (C&O Canal Towpath)

Highlight • Viewpoint

One of my favorite rides! The trail is well maintained and smooth. So many spots to rest and take breathtaking pics

Tip by

21.9 km

Staircase and bridge from trail to Harper's Ferry

Highlight • Bridge

to get from trail to Harper's Ferry, you have to go up these stairs. There are bike racks at the base, or you carry your bike up with you

Tip by

22.0 km

Harpers Ferry Tunnel and Railroad Bridges

Highlight • Bridge

From here, you can look up at the West Portal of the Harpers Ferry Tunnel. The tunnel is part of the B & O Railroad Potomac River Crossing, which is …

Tip by

23.5 km

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Lock 34

Highlight • Historical Site

64.6 km

Big Slackwater

Highlight • Cycleway

Ride in the morning or weekday, if possible. can get busy on weekends.

Tip by

65.5 km

Big Slackwater View

Highlight • Trail

Big Slackwater is a deep, smooth area of the C&O canal. It is the place that canal boats used to be launched into the canal.

After a flood destroyed the …

Tip by

81.0 km

The East Woods

Forest

87.0 km

Civil War Rail Trail

Nature Reserve

114 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

59.4 km

19.7 km

19.5 km

9.08 km

3.04 km

3.03 km

Surfaces

53.7 km

38.4 km

13.0 km

8.12 km

461 m

126 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (230 m)

Lowest point (70 m)

Weather

Today

Thursday 8 October

26°C

12°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 18, 2022,2: Brunswick-Williamsport 🌨❄️🌨???

Today was intense. I knew wr bad weather and some prolonged rain was on the way, but (wet) snow all day? Fortunately, that is also strange here. After the bicycle repair shop also a bit later on the road, and that was quite heavy all in all. Also very cool and beautiful of course (vapor on the water, mist, beautiful …

Showing Translation