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Mountain biking trails

Great Falls Overlook – Pennyfield Lock loop from East Falls Church

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Great Falls Overlook – Pennyfield Lock loop from East Falls Church

Hard

4.8

(2975)

19,067

riders

Great Falls Overlook – Pennyfield Lock loop from East Falls Church

05:49

77.6km

470m

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 19, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 7.95 km for 76 m

After 14.5 km for 296 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

9.44 km

Dalecarlia Tunnel

Highlight • Structure

The Dalecarlia Tunnel runs the Capital Crescent Trail under the Washington Aqueduct and MacArthur Boulevard. It was built in 1910 as a railway tunnel and is now over 100 years old.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

11.5 km

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

14.6 km

Cedar Island Conservation Park

Nature Reserve

16.2 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

24.8 km

Viewpoint

25.1 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

25.1 km

Great Falls Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is a spectacular waterfall on the Potomac River. Water gushes over a series of jagged rocks and flows through the Mather Gorge.

The falls are surrounded by an 800-acre park of the same name – a lovely place to go exploring! 15 miles (24 km) of trails run through the park.

Tip by

29.4 km

Swains Lock

Highlight • Historical Site

These are hard to come by along the C&O canal and usually hidden. Always nice to know where to get water.

Tip by

35.7 km

Dierrsen Wildlife Management Area

Nature Reserve

39.3 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

40.4 km

Inlet Lock

Lake

44.4 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

68.3 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

77.6 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

56.1 km

14.3 km

2.38 km

2.15 km

1.35 km

1.04 km

340 m

Surfaces

29.4 km

24.7 km

17.6 km

4.25 km

1.69 km

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (120 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

Weather

Today

Saturday 4 July

39°C

27°C

60 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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

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Great Falls Overlook – Pennyfield Lock loop from East Falls Church

Dalecarlia Tunnel

Little Falls Dam

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Great Falls Overlook

Swains Lock

Riley’s lock

Pennyfield Lock

Lock 6, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

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