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Section 2: C&O Canal Towpath — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

mtm05005

Saved routes

Section 2: C&O Canal Towpath — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

mtm05005 planned a bike ride

July 4, 2025

Section 2: C&O Canal Towpath — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Hard

25:51

297km

11.5km/h

610m

790m

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Overview

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Rock Creek & Potomac Parkway

Most people would complete this in 4-8 days

Better plan each individual stage of your adventure with the multi-day planner — available as a part of komoot Premium.

Waypoints

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46.6 km

Paw Paw Tunnel

Highlight (Segment) • Monument

The Paw Paw Tunnel is an engineering marvel along the C&O Canal, built to avoid constructing six miles of canal along the river. Work began in 1836, but labor disputes, …

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92.0 km

Built in 1838, the mill capitalized on the discovery of high-quality limestone near Roundtop Hill. This discovery proved fortuitous, as the limestone was perfectly suited for producing hydraulic cement, a …

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156 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 …

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200 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 …

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248 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.

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275 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.

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297 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail – Georgetown

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal) National Historical Park offers multiple access points and visitor centers, including one here in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Beginning on 29th Street NW, south …

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297 km

C&O Canal Mile 0 and Tide Lock

Highlight • Monument

The final (or beginning) mile of the C&O Canal stands here, next to the Tide Lock on the Potomac, the true birthplace of the canal. The spot is marked with …

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

285 km

8.27 km

4.36 km

269 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

243 km

50.7 km

2.75 km

541 m

318 m

< 100 m

Route Details

Elevation

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Highest point (200 m)

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Section 2: C&O Canal Towpath — Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Paw Paw Tunnel

Round Top Cement Mill

Big Slackwater View

Harpers Ferry Tunnel and Railroad Bridges

Lockhouse 25

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail – Georgetown

C&O Canal Mile 0 and Tide Lock

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