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Mountain biking trails

Riley’s lock – Pennyfield Lock loop from Bethesda

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Riley’s lock – Pennyfield Lock loop from Bethesda

Hard

4.8

(3332)

14,089

riders

Riley’s lock – Pennyfield Lock loop from Bethesda

07:15

94.7km

280m

Mountain biking

Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 18, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 10.1 km for 296 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

5.54 km

Wagshal's Grand Bodega

Highlight • Cafe

Great inexpensive food, close to the C&O and Crescent trails.

Tip by

6.47 km

Lock 6, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Highlight • Monument

One of the locks (#6 of 75) on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. These should ensure the shipping traffic between Cumberland and Washington to transport coal.
The lock keeper's houses next to the lock have been restored and can be used as overnight accommodation.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.18 km

Little Falls Dam

Highlight • Monument

The Little Falls Dam is a low dam built in the Potomac in 1959. It now separates the Upper Potomac River and Lower Potomac River, forming the Little Falls Reservoir.
Due to the undercurrent of the Potomac created by the dam's design, it is very dangerous for swimmers and boaters.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

10.3 km

Cedar Island Conservation Park

Nature Reserve

11.8 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

18.7 km

Widewater

Lake

20.7 km

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Highlight • Trail

The Great Falls of the Potomac is a place with various rapids and small falls in the Potomac. The place marked here may only be entered on foot. Bicycles and dogs 😜 must stay outside.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

31.2 km

Dierrsen Wildlife Management Area

Nature Reserve

34.8 km

Riley’s lock

Highlight • Monument

Riley’s Lock is a fun, happening place. Every time I pass by it is bustling with activity. There are two row boat clubs along Seneca creek. There are kayak, jet ski and canoe rentals, there is a pub with live music every Sunday, there are Girl Scouts at the lock house. People swimming in the canal and sunbathing by the river. As of mid-April the NPS has not turned on the water fountain though, something really important for Cyclists. There was a woman at the lock that handed me a bottle of water and saved my bacon as I had another 15 miles to go on the MTB to get to my car and was seriously considering drinking the Seneca creek.

Tip by

47.7 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.

Tip by

65.8 km

Pennyfield Lock

Highlight • Monument

Lock 22, aka Pennyfield Lock, was built between 1829 and 1831, and the name came from the misspelling of the Pennifield family name. It has been restored and offers overnight stays to recreate the rustic feeling from that period.

Tip by

75.1 km

Viewpoint

91.5 km

Loughborough Mill

Highlight • Historical Site

It was here that Nathan Loughborough built a mill around 1830 and participated in the growing wheat trade. It is reported that the mill ceased operations during the Civil War when the Loughboroughs fled south to support the Confederates. The Loughborough's property was occupied by the Union.

There is said to be a small but well-developed "Bike Park" nearby.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

94.7 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

82.5 km

10.5 km

924 m

475 m

254 m

187 m

Surfaces

50.7 km

30.4 km

11.2 km

1.46 km

1.02 km

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (110 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

Weather

Today

Monday 6 July

28°C

22°C

82 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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Riley’s lock – Pennyfield Lock loop from Bethesda

Wagshal's Grand Bodega

Lock 6, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Little Falls Dam

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Riley’s lock

Lockhouse 25

Pennyfield Lock

Loughborough Mill

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