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United States

West Virginia

Berkeley County

Buddy Lou's Restaurant – Dam Number 5 loop from Hedges Mountain

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

United States

West Virginia

Berkeley County

Buddy Lou's Restaurant – Dam Number 5 loop from Hedges Mountain

Hard

3.3

(19)

riders

Buddy Lou's Restaurant – Dam Number 5 loop from Hedges Mountain

10:50

152km

1,090m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very 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: August 11, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 47.9 km for 106 m

After 53.0 km for 106 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

50.5 km

Indigo Neck Primitive Campsite

Highlight • Rest Area

This campsite boasts stunning views of Sideling Hill in West Virginia, with the Potomac River flowing nearby. Nestled along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Indigo Neck provides a glimpse into the past while offering a place to rest and recharge.

Tip by

74.0 km

C & O Bicycle, Hancock

Highlight • Rest Area

candobicycle.com Their bunkhouse is the best camping site on the trail. Everything anyone else offers and more for only $15

Tip by

74.0 km

Water Lilies Pond, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Highlight • Lake

Just off the trail here, directly off the bridge over the canal(Beige metal building to the left of the ducks), is C&O Bicycles. they're a full service bike shop AND they have a bunk room with showers and some food if you want to make this an overnight stop.

Tip by

74.5 km

Buddy Lou's Restaurant

Highlight • Restaurant

Great food right on trail

Tip by

80.5 km

Little Pool Primitive Campsite

Highlight • Rest Area

nice site except for I-70 noise

Tip by

87.4 km

Licking Creek Primitive Campsite

Highlight • Rest Area

off trail, flat, secluded large site

Tip by

92.3 km

Big Pool

Highlight • Lake

Big Pool is located near mile 113 along the C&O Canal Towpath. Unlike the man-made sections of the canal, Big Pool is a natural body of water that was incorporated into the canal’s design to serve as a water storage area for boat operations. Spanning about 1.5 miles in length and up to 200 feet wide, it provided an easier passage for canal boats compared to the narrower, hand-dug sections of the waterway. Today, Big Pool is a peaceful and picturesque landmark for those exploring the C&O Canal Towpath. It is also adjacent to Fort Frederick State Park, one of the most significant historical sites along the towpath. Cyclists can easily take a short detour to visit the 18th-century fort, which was built in 1756 during the French and Indian War and later played roles in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The fort’s well-preserved stone walls and reconstructed barracks provide a glimpse into Maryland’s frontier history.

Tip by

94.5 km

Fort Frederick State Park

Nature Reserve

104 km

Dam Number 5

Highlight • Monument

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

116 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

117 km

Potomac River Reservoir

Lake

152 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

44.2 km

42.8 km

27.6 km

26.1 km

10.9 km

176 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

58.8 km

46.3 km

42.9 km

2.58 km

1.32 km

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Today

Tuesday 11 August

29°C

19°C

96 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

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Buddy Lou's Restaurant – Dam Number 5 loop from Hedges Mountain

Indigo Neck Primitive Campsite

C & O Bicycle, Hancock

Water Lilies Pond, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Buddy Lou's Restaurant

Little Pool Primitive Campsite

Licking Creek Primitive Campsite

Big Pool

Dam Number 5

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