Monocacy Aqueduct – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Barnesville

Bike touring routes & trails

United States

Maryland

Montgomery County

Monocacy Aqueduct – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Barnesville

Hard

3.3

(19)

riders

Monocacy Aqueduct – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Barnesville

09:48

134km

490m

Cycling

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

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Seneca Creek State Park

Hoyles Mill Conservation Park

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

8.89 km

Monocacy Aqueduct

Highlight • Bridge

This is a lovely bridge over the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. It was built from 1829 to 1833 and is one of 12 such bridges to cross the canal. During …

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24.2 km

The Catoctin Aqueduct, situated along the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal in Maryland, was constructed between 1832 and 1834. The aqueduct served as a vital waterway infrastructure, allowing canal boats to cross over the Catoctin Creek.

Tip by

43.8 km

Dickerson Conservation Park

Nature Reserve

50.8 km

Ruins

72.7 km

Inlet Lock

Lake

75.2 km

Dierrsen Wildlife Management Area

Nature Reserve

76.7 km

Pennyfield Lock

Highlight • Monument

Lock 22, aka Pennyfield Lock, was built between 1829 and 1831, and the name came from the misspelling of the Pennifield family name. It has been restored and offers overnight stays to recreate the rustic feeling from that period.

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86.0 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.

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86.2 km

Great Falls Park on the C&O Trail

Highlight • Waterfall

Located at mile 14.3 on the C&O Canal Towpath in Potomac, Maryland, Great Falls Park is a must-visit highlight for hikers, cyclists, and history buffs alike. A short boardwalk leads …

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92.2 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

96.7 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 …

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98.8 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 •

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103 km

Swains Lock

Highlight • Historical Site

These are hard to come by along the C&O canal and usually hidden. Always nice to know where to get water.

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134 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

103 km

20.4 km

8.52 km

1.66 km

463 m

264 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

57.9 km

46.7 km

21.5 km

6.79 km

1.08 km

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (170 m)

Lowest point (20 m)

Weather

Today

Monday 9 November

17°C

6°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Expect light wind and shifting conditions.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 27, 2024,C&O Canal Trail Day 3 - Bald Eagle Hiker/Biker Campsite to Washington DC

I departed Brunswick Maryland from the Bald Eagle primitive campsite on Memorial Day - Monday, May 27th, 2024, and rode 51 miles to Mile Marker Zero of the C&O Canal Towpath Trail in Washington DC.

There was a severe thunderstorm the night before this ride. Surprisingly, the trail conditions were pretty good until I got to the Point of Rocks …

July 20, 2024,C&O / GAP Trail- day2

Coming out of Washington, it was nice to see the resurfaced trail- smooth like butter! 🧈
As we passed, all the lock houses we joked on which one we would move into. Here's a few pics. Which one do you like? We did get caught in the rain that ended up moving out, thank goodness. BTW, I forgot how close …