C & O Canal
C & O Canal
4.5
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A 185-mile canal which runs from D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland.
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Neighbourhood: Cleveland Park
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
87 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
20
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
3
LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,633 contributions
Jan 2020
As I continued my walk along the C & O Canal Path, (going to the East) I noticed most areas do not have water and wondered if it had been drained or affected by Global Warming? Water, however, is present on the other side of the Canal or that going towards the direction of Maryand.
My understanding is that this Canal was used to transport goods and passengers from Washington, DC to Maryland in the old days. There are walkers, hikers, bikers, etc in the towpath during my visit.
My understanding is that this Canal was used to transport goods and passengers from Washington, DC to Maryland in the old days. There are walkers, hikers, bikers, etc in the towpath during my visit.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RK O
Honolulu, HI383 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Stretching for miles. Easily accessible with street parking at various locations along MacArthur Blvd. Abundant wildlife - turtles, ducks, hawks, frogs - in the canal on one side, and the majestic Potomac on the other.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
getawaycraig
Temecula, CA16 contributions
Sept 2015
Sadly the National Park Service does a poor job of maintaining the actual trail. Very rutty and filled with potholes. If it has rained in the past few days, the potholes are full of water and mud. It makes the riding slow and uncomfortable. After coming off the Great Allegany, this was a disappointment. You spend so much time looking for hazards on the trail that you loose the beauty of the ride. I understand the debate as to keeping the towpath as natural as possible, but for us Baby Boomers (mostly who we saw on the trail) safety of a smoother trail is most important.
Written September 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
write4jan
Haymarket, VA227 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
I just finished biking the entire C&O Canal from Washington DC to Cumberland, MD. 184.5 miles! I am not in the best of shape, but I decided to make a goal to ride the whole C&O. I hope you will be inspired. I learned from my brother-in-law; "No matter how slow you go, you are faster than the guy on the couch!"
I really loved the natural look of the trail, nature, nature, nature! I loved the weekend I saw more deer than people. I met several groups of "through bikers," I am a weekend pedal pusher. I did finish up with a 60 mile ride (averaged 20 miles a day for 3 days) as my longest ride. It is easy to ride and if you go in the direction of Cumberland to Washington, DC you will get an 8 ft drop at every lock. Every little bit helped - most of it is very flat and easily manageable. So go enjoy the beauty and bike the C&O Canal.
I really loved the natural look of the trail, nature, nature, nature! I loved the weekend I saw more deer than people. I met several groups of "through bikers," I am a weekend pedal pusher. I did finish up with a 60 mile ride (averaged 20 miles a day for 3 days) as my longest ride. It is easy to ride and if you go in the direction of Cumberland to Washington, DC you will get an 8 ft drop at every lock. Every little bit helped - most of it is very flat and easily manageable. So go enjoy the beauty and bike the C&O Canal.
Written October 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArizonaAZ1
Arizona139 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
A fun bike trial! We rented bikes from the Bike and Roll Union Station $35 / day (helmet/lock provided). We rode down thru the National Mall starting at the Capital head towards Memorial Tower where you then headed north towards downtown until "H" street and headed west, pass the White House to Georgetown. Rode thru Georgetown downtown to the end, where you can start the trial of the C&O.
You travel along the C&O canal. There are two trails - a dirt trial aside the canal and a wide bike path along the Potomac River. Stop at Fletcher's Cove - to sit under the shady trees and get a ice cold soda pop or G2. Keep on the trail until you get to Bethesda where you can stop for Haagen-Dazs ice cream or shaved ice. Then go thru the Bethesda tunnel (sign direct you) soon as you are out of the tunnel turn right thru a park and then right again to the main street. Right again a block to take you to the Metro. Remember not to carry bikes on the Metro during their rush hour. Metro takes you back to Union Station.
Bike and Roll gives you great maps to show the trials. We did the trip with our 9 year old. It is all day event -- very beautiful path along the Potomac River / C&O canal. One of our favorite biking trials. Temperature was in the high 90's so getting something to drink at Fletcher and along the way was very helpful. I normally bring two of those backpacks that you can roll up into your pocket to quickly hold items / water along the way. A beautiful way to see the town.
You travel along the C&O canal. There are two trails - a dirt trial aside the canal and a wide bike path along the Potomac River. Stop at Fletcher's Cove - to sit under the shady trees and get a ice cold soda pop or G2. Keep on the trail until you get to Bethesda where you can stop for Haagen-Dazs ice cream or shaved ice. Then go thru the Bethesda tunnel (sign direct you) soon as you are out of the tunnel turn right thru a park and then right again to the main street. Right again a block to take you to the Metro. Remember not to carry bikes on the Metro during their rush hour. Metro takes you back to Union Station.
Bike and Roll gives you great maps to show the trials. We did the trip with our 9 year old. It is all day event -- very beautiful path along the Potomac River / C&O canal. One of our favorite biking trials. Temperature was in the high 90's so getting something to drink at Fletcher and along the way was very helpful. I normally bring two of those backpacks that you can roll up into your pocket to quickly hold items / water along the way. A beautiful way to see the town.
Written July 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JWis
62 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
when the summer heat builds, get on your bike and take advantage of the shade of tall trees, and too the cool river-side breeze. also, lots of birds and nature to hear, so ear buds aren't necessary here. most of the other cyclists are also perfectly chill, but there were a few knuckle draggers out there-- so stay vigilant as you bliss-out on your bike. not hard to spin a good 20 mile ride here.
Written June 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dkavan11
Annapolis, MD88 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
The towpath of the C&O Canal is great for a leisurely stroll, a run, and biking. The entire length of the path is 184 miles from the Georgetown neighborhood in Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, MD.
Written June 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chinapjs
Washington DC, DC3,633 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Brings you back to the 1800's when this was a major transport route with barges pulled by miles. Now it is a favorite for walkers and joggers looking for a bit of nature and fresh air
Written March 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nicholas m
Germantown, MD61 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
tircho sez: For those who love to walk or ride a bike, the best possible place is on the C and O canal. You might have to make some add's plans to get there or to have a shuttle, but aren't good things worthy of more planning. Start in Cumberland and it is rally a downward ride ( incentive) all the way to DC. Even though that distance is far, do it in segments and visit Cumberland, bike through Paw Paw tunnel, and visit Harpers Ferry.. All scenic and watch spring arrive. I biked the entire trail and realized what a historic trip it is. Prepare with reading about the canal, and the sites that you will be passing. You will meet the most interesting people and get in some good exercise at the same time. Good for all ages and families, and couples. Plan when the wx is bad and when there is an opening, bike it. btw, my wife runs and jogs portions of it 3x a week, making a u turn and returning to the car that she and her friends drove. The trail is marked, so you know your distance. Gt off the streets and visit the beauty of nature...
Written January 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim M
Jane Lew, WV97 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
I have biked the C&O many times over the last 20 plus years. I typically start in Cumberland and head toward Georgetown, which is slightly downhill. I have found that riding 10 mph has worked out the best for me. The quickest I ever made the trip was in 3 days. I love the history of the canal, and I love the beauty. Always I have camped along the way, so I had to have a fairly good bike, panniers, etc. to pack the food and equipment needed. Almost all the campsites are free, and many of them seem to be in very beautiful locations along the Potomac. Usually you can find the site you want during the week, and you can have privacy. Sometimes, weekends and holidays especially, the sites are already taken. Most people don't mind sharing a site.
When I start in Cumberland, I typically stop at Great Falls. This allows me to avoid all the traffic in Georgetown. I have been all the way to Georgetown on only one occasion.
I have also found the visitor centers to be very interesting. I think they are still open in Cumberland, Harpers Ferry, Williamsport, and Georgetown.
When I start in Cumberland, I typically stop at Great Falls. This allows me to avoid all the traffic in Georgetown. I have been all the way to Georgetown on only one occasion.
I have also found the visitor centers to be very interesting. I think they are still open in Cumberland, Harpers Ferry, Williamsport, and Georgetown.
Written November 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vonnie C
Silver Spring, Maryland
Where is the best place to start hikeing on the C&O Canal?
Written June 16, 2020
Anywhere. Williamsport, MD to see the reconstructed Aqueduct,
Great Falls Access, Harpers Ferry, WV where you can also hike the Appalachian Trail.
Written June 17, 2020
You probably want to direct your question specifically to one of the tour companies listed under this topic. Georgetown is a beautiful and historic neighborhood.
Written July 6, 2019
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