C&O Canal Bike Tour

Spend five days riding along the Potomac River on a historic towpath through the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park for 184 miles between Georgetown in Washington, DC and Cumberland, MD.

Our C&O Canal bike tour spans the length of one of our nation’s oldest recreation paths, and you have the chance to explore this path at a relaxed pace! You’ll experience the iconic lush, green tunnel of trees over the bike trail as it transports you back to the early 1900s. Hundreds of original features, including locks, lock houses, aqueducts and other canal structures paint the history of the park’s role during the canal era. Throughout the trip, we will visit a handful of quaint towns along the path, intimately experiencing the region’s culture.

Day 1:  Our journey begins at the western terminus of the C&O Canal Towpath. Today’s trail highlight is the 3118-foot Paw Paw Tunnel, one of the most significant engineering features on the Canal. Take some time to learn about the tunnel’s long and fraught history, then continue on to Little Orleans. We’ll take a short shuttle to our lodging tonight.

Day 2: Continue on the towpath again this morning at the Little Orleans trailhead. Spin through the deep-green tunnel of trees, passing by Big Pool and Fort Frederick. We’ll end our ride today in Williamsport, Maryland, home of Cushwa Basin. Developed as a major point for loading/unloading on the Canal, the Cushwa Basin was one of the few places on the Canal that a boat could turn around. Sitting on the Canal is a restored warehouse, dating back to the 1800s, that is now headquarters to a visitor’s center for the C&O Canal.

Day 3: We have a short ride today so you can relax and enjoy this awesome section of the towpath. Ride along the Big Slackwater. This long, concrete pathway hugs the river against a tall rocky cliff. Canal boats once entered the river here as the mules continued walking along the towpath.  Just a few miles later, we’ll have the opportunity to explore Antietam National Battlefield. After visiting battlefield, you’ll check-in to the lovely Bavarian Inn and have some time to explore charming, historic Shepherdstown on your own for dinner. 

Day 4: Spin back across the Potomac River this morning to access the towpath again. In a few miles, you’ll arrive at the famous bridge across the river to Harpers Ferry. Your guide will watch over the  bikes—so you’ll have plenty of time to explore his famous, historic town on foot. Once we reach the Monocacy Aqueduct, we’ll load up and shuttle to Frederick, where we’ll spend the night. Enjoy one last dinner with the group in Frederick, then rest up for the final day’s ride tomorrow!  

Day 5: Return to the Monocacy Aqueduct today for your last day on the towpath! We’ll take a special stop at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. This well-designed park features a visitor center, replica canal boat rides, an overlook of the Great Falls of the Potomac and the Billy Goat trail. Many people consider the falls to be the most spectacular natural landmark in the Washington D.C. area. Here, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge.  After seeing the falls, ride down the trail all the way to Mile Marker 0 in Georgetown!