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Monocacy Aqueduct – Giant maple tree sheltering Lock 26 loop from Tuscarora

Monocacy Aqueduct – Giant maple tree sheltering Lock 26 loop from Tuscarora

Moderate

2.9

(8)

riders

Monocacy Aqueduct – Giant maple tree sheltering Lock 26 loop from Tuscarora

02:30

45.1km

110m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. 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: June 12, 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

4.08 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 the Civil War, it was nearly destroyed, but a lockkeeper was able to persuade troops to destroy a different bridge instead.

Tip by

4.96 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

A lovely gravel and dirt trail that remains in decent condition year round. With the canal on one side, and the river on the other, you are immersed in a lovely landscape with plenty of wildlife to see.

Tip by

6.19 km

Dickerson coal fired power plant

Highlight • Structure

The power plant is visible from the canal.

Tip by

8.41 km

Lock 25 Large Maple

Highlight • Natural Monument

14.5 km

Ruins

22.4 km

Lockhouse 25

Highlight • Historical Site

This Lockhouse saw the Civil War unfold as the two sides crossed from one side of the river to the other. It can now be rented as a base camp for your cycling excursions in the area.

Tip by

34.5 km

Marble Quarry campsite

Highlight • Rest Area

nice quiet campsite.

Tip by

36.8 km

Giant maple tree sheltering Lock 26

Highlight • Natural Monument

This amazing tree stands witness over this truly historic site and invites to stop for a picnic.

Tip by

40.0 km

Lock 27, Spinks Ferry

Highlight • Historical Site

Mile marker 41.5

Spink’s Ferry was an established Potomac crossing long before the Canal was built. Josias Clapham licensed the ferry way back in 1757. Because the approach to his ferry landing was less convenient than a competing ferry just upstream, Clapham swayed the Virginia Assembly to approve a less expensive toll to compete.
The ferry switched hands in 1816, but didn’t become known as “Spinks Ferry” until 1833 when John Spinks bought the property. Although Spinks stopped running the ferry by the Civil War, the nearby lock and its pivot bridge used for access to the river landing became the target for retreating Confederates after the Battle of Antietam. General D.H. Hill looked to disable Lock 27 after failing to destroy the Monocacy Aqueduct upstream. Interestingly, the Canal company dismissed the lockkeeper, Thomas Walters, for collaborating with the southerners. His neighbors came to his defense, explaining that the lockkeeper pleaded with the Confederates not to destroy the lock.

Lock 27 was built mostly of red sandstone from both Seneca and Point of Rocks. You can see the rubble from the extended portion of the lock along the upstream channel. The stone lockhouse, once missing much of its front wall, has been restored.

Source: canaltrust.org

Tip by

45.1 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

35.9 km

7.31 km

1.39 km

458 m

109 m

Surfaces

36.5 km

8.37 km

144 m

102 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Friday 12 June

35°C

20°C

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Monocacy Aqueduct – Giant maple tree sheltering Lock 26 loop from Tuscarora

Monocacy Aqueduct

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail

Dickerson coal fired power plant

Lock 25 Large Maple

Lockhouse 25

Marble Quarry campsite

Giant maple tree sheltering Lock 26

Lock 27, Spinks Ferry

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