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Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Francis Scott Key Bridge loop from Ballston–MU

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Francis Scott Key Bridge loop from Ballston–MU

Hard

4.7

(7099)

7,100

riders

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Francis Scott Key Bridge loop from Ballston–MU

06:00

74.9km

260m

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: July 7, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 16.5 km for 296 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

16.7 km

Cedar Island Conservation Park

Nature Reserve

18.2 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

22.9 km

Great Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

Enjoy easy access to the Great Falls, a popular destination for photographers, hikers, and expert kayakers. Though not exceptionally tall, the falls surge with force as the Potomac River carves through ancient, metamorphic rock.

Tip by

25.0 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 ideal spot to pause, do some birdwatching, and soak in the calm before continuing your journey along the Potomac and the Chesapeake & Ohio canal.

Tip by

26.6 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 to the Olmsted Island overlook, where the Potomac River dramatically crashes over jagged rocks—one of the most scenic views near D.C. For hikers, the popular Billy Goat Trail offers three segments, with Section A featuring challenging rock scrambles and breathtaking river views. The historic Great Falls Tavern, built in 1829, now serves as a visitor center and launch point for seasonal mule-drawn canal boat rides. The towpath itself is flat and easy to navigate, ideal for walking or biking. Amenities include restrooms, picnic spots, and interpretive exhibits. Parking is available at the visitor center (fee required), or you can park for free at nearby Swains Lock and walk or ride 2.5 miles to the falls.

Tip by

26.8 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.

Tip by

27.1 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 •

Tip by

31.3 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.

Tip by

37.5 km

Dierrsen Wildlife Management Area

Nature Reserve

39.0 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.

Tip by

69.3 km

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

This is a paved path across the bridge with metal railings separating pedestrians/cyclists from vehicular traffic. It feels safe but it can be a little loud. The views are beautiful.

Tip by

74.9 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

62.6 km

11.1 km

1.25 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

42.6 km

20.1 km

7.12 km

4.19 km

858 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (80 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Today

Thursday 30 July

29°C

22°C

12 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 24.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 23, 2024,Fahrradtour Washington / Chesapeake and Ohio Trail

My brothers and I were going to go into the countryside🤩.
So we borrowed two e-bikes, Henning was allowed to take our brother-in-law's gravel bike, passed one or two sights and off into the countryside, even though we had already hiked some of them yesterday!
Unfortunately one of the bikes refused to support us after our break😡, so we went …

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Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Francis Scott Key Bridge loop from Ballston–MU

Great Falls

Widewater

Great Falls Park on the C&O Trail

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Swains Lock

Pennyfield Lock

Francis Scott Key Bridge

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