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Big Slackwater – Big Slackwater View loop from Shepherdstown

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

United States

Maryland

Washington County

Big Slackwater – Big Slackwater View loop from Shepherdstown

Hard

4.9

(4735)

6,806

riders

Big Slackwater – Big Slackwater View loop from Shepherdstown

05:40

64.2km

230m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: March 18, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

11.7 km

Horseshoe Bend campsite

Highlight • Rest Area

19.3 km

Dam No. 4

Highlight • Monument

Dam No. 4 is located around mile 84 of the C&O Canal Towpath. Built in 1856, this dam was crucial for maintaining water levels for canal operations and remains an …

Tip by

23.5 km

Big Slackwater

Highlight • Cycleway

Ride in the morning or weekday, if possible. can get busy on weekends.

Tip by

24.3 km

Potomac River Trail

Highlight • Trail

24.4 km

Big Slackwater

Highlight • River

25.1 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 …

Tip by

32.1 km

Halfway Point

Highlight • Structure

64.2 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

53.5 km

7.38 km

3.21 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

53.5 km

7.38 km

3.20 km

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Today

Tuesday 19 May

34°C

20°C

17 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 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.

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Big Slackwater – Big Slackwater View loop from Shepherdstown

Horseshoe Bend campsite

Dam No. 4

Big Slackwater

Potomac River Trail

Big Slackwater

Big Slackwater View

Halfway Point

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