Hard gravel 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: April 2, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

859 m

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

45.8 km

Big Slackwater

Highlight • Cycleway

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

Tip by

47.4 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

79.8 km

View of the Potomac River from the Shepherdstown Bridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

Scenic views from the bridge crossing the bridge from West Virginia to Maryland. The MD-side of the bridge offers access to the C&O Canal tow path.

Tip by

98.9 km

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Lock 34

Highlight • Historical Site

100 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

115 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

135 km

Dickerson Conservation Park

Nature Reserve

142 km

Ruins

152 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 …

Tip by

172 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

141 km

13.9 km

8.93 km

7.19 km

1.27 km

597 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

77.5 km

72.0 km

16.7 km

5.33 km

920 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (150 m)

Lowest point (60 m)

Weather

Today

Wednesday 22 April

23°C

8°C

33 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail

Big Slackwater

Big Slackwater View

View of the Potomac River from the Shepherdstown Bridge

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Lock 34

Harpers Ferry Tunnel and Railroad Bridges

Catoctin Creek Aqueduct

Monocacy Aqueduct

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