Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Crossing Over the C&O Canal loop from Potomac

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Crossing Over the C&O Canal loop from Potomac

Moderate

4.8

(4672)

7,327

riders

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Crossing Over the C&O Canal loop from Potomac

03:17

47.5km

230m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 14, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 29.6 km for 68 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

9.07 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

13.7 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

27.2 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 …

Tip by

27.4 km

Mile Zero Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath

Highlight • Monument

If you are here in summer, you have the opportunity to explore Washington from the water.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

27.9 km

View of the Georgetown Waterfront

Highlight • Viewpoint

The cycle path leading here offers magnificent views of the city at any time of the day or night almost along its entire length.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

29.9 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

30.4 km

Potomac River

Highlight • River

The Potomac River, stretching 405 miles from the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia to Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, ranks as the fourth-largest river on the East Coast. Swimming is prohibited in …

Tip by

34.6 km

Crossing Over the C&O Canal

Highlight • Bridge

It's just a shame that cycling is only allowed on the paved road. The many earthy trails to the right and left of the road are very tempting for a mountain biker. Unfortunately explicitly forbidden.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

47.5 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

28.4 km

17.4 km

927 m

397 m

295 m

140 m

Surfaces

19.9 km

13.4 km

9.99 km

3.81 km

533 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Today

Tuesday 19 May

36°C

21°C

20 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Nearby routes

Moderate

4.7

288

Custis, Washington-Old Dominion, and Mount Vernon Trail Loop

02:00h

33.2km

190m

Easy

5.0

Anacostia Riverwalk Trail

00:26h

7.23km

20m

Moderate

4.8

273

Rock Creek and Capital Crescent Trail Loop

02:17h

36.5km

190m

Easy

4.5

200

Mount Vernon Trail

01:49h

30.3km

120m

Moderate

4.5

Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail

03:51h

65.7km

350m

Easy

4.8

104

Washington & Old Dominion Trail

01:29h

25.4km

140m

Moderate

1.0

Needwood Loop

02:39h

31.2km

160m

Moderate

2.5

Upper Potomac River Loop around northwest of Washington, D.C.

01:44h

26.7km

340m

Moderate

5.0

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath

04:42h

62.8km

90m

Moderate

3.7

Washington, Alexandria & Arlington loop

02:55h

48.9km

290m

Moderate

4.5

Alexandria Loop

01:37h

26.4km

180m

Moderate

5.0

Fairfax County Parkway Trail

02:22h

40.4km

250m

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Crossing Over the C&O Canal loop from Potomac

Great Falls

C&O Canal Mile 0 and Tide Lock

Mile Zero Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath

View of the Georgetown Waterfront

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Potomac River

Crossing Over the C&O Canal

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️