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Routes
United States
District Of Columbia

Crossing Over the C&O Canal – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Street

Routes
United States
District Of Columbia

Crossing Over the C&O Canal – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Street

Moderate

4.7

(1768)

12,767

riders

Crossing Over the C&O Canal – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Street

03:55

66.4km

350m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 27.0 km for 220 m

Waypoints

A

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions
1

4.98 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

2

9.26 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

3

11.5 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

38.6 km

Widewater

Lake

5

40.1 km

Great Falls Park on the C&O Trail

Highlight • Waterfall

Located at mile 14.3 on the C&O Canal Towpath in Potomac, Maryland, Great Falls Park is a must-visit highlight for hikers, cyclists, and history buffs alike. A short boardwalk leads …

Tip by

6

40.3 km

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Highlight • River

Great Falls has a scenic Horseshoe Bend where the river curves in a horseshoe shape around a rocky outcrop. It's a nice spot to stop for photos on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail.

Tip by

7

40.6 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

8

41.5 km

Lock 15 – great view near the Great Falls

Highlight • Viewpoint

Not too bumpy or overcrowded, but do expect to find people and cyclists on the path!

Tip by

47.1 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

10

54.4 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 …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

B

66.4 km

End point

Train Station

Loading

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

31.0 km

29.6 km

4.48 km

693 m

330 m

326 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

28.6 km

17.9 km

11.0 km

8.02 km

635 m

288 m

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Elevation

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

Highest point (110 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Today

Tuesday 3 November

22°C

7°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Expect light wind and shifting conditions.

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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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