Big Slackwater View – Big Slackwater loop from Martinsburg

Hard

5.0

(3)

riders

Big Slackwater View – Big Slackwater loop from Martinsburg

10:49

159km

970m

Gravel riding

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

Last updated: November 4, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 87.2 km for 54 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

46.1 km

Buddy Lou's Restaurant

Highlight • Restaurant

Great food right on trail

Tip by

52.1 km

Little Pool

Lake

74.4 km

Dam No. 5 is located along the C&O Canal Towpath near mile 106, between Williamsport and Hancock, Maryland. Constructed between 1833 and 1835, it was built to raise water levels in the Potomac River and ensure a steady supply for the canal's operation. Like the other dams along the canal, Dam No. 5 was crucial for maintaining navigable water levels for canal boats, allowing them to bypass the river’s natural rapids and shallow areas.
During the Civil War, Dam No. 5 became a strategic target for Confederate forces, who attempted to destroy it multiple times in an effort to disrupt Union transportation and supply lines. In December 1861, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson led an attack on the dam, but despite several attempts, Union troops successfully defended it, keeping the canal operational.
Today, Dam No. 5 remains a picturesque and historically significant site along the towpath. The area is known for its scenic views of the Potomac, with rushing water cascading over the dam and wildlife such as bald eagles, herons, and fish frequently spotted.

Tip by

87.4 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

109 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 canal path in 1996, a rasied canal path was reconstructed in 2012. It is now open to the public.

Tip by

110 km

Potomac River Trail

Highlight • Trail

111 km

Big Slackwater

Highlight • Cycleway

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

Tip by

115 km

Dam 4 C&O

Highlight • Monument

Great spot to see the Dam.

Tip by

115 km

Dam No. 4

Highlight • Monument

Dam No. 4 is located around mile 84 of the C&O Canal Towpath. Built in 1856, this dam was crucial for maintaining water levels for canal operations and remains an impressive structure along the river. The area around the dam is known for its scenic views and wildlife, making it a nice spot to pause before continuing on your ride.

Tip by

134 km