C&O / GAP Forum

Hello Everyone:
I spoke to this subject beforehand. But my plan is to ride the entire GAP/C&O Trail on 271/14 road bike tires The Miyata 1000 is a classic (50 plus years old!) and it did fine on the GAP segment two years ago. I get the info about some possible ruts as well as mud due to rain when it occurs along the C&O. Just do it right? All things considered there is a concert in Vienna, Virginia that I'll try to make on 9 June. This one is dedicated to my friend Ben who passed from cancer not long ago.

Comments are welcome

For a moment you confounded me with your 2711/4 tires until I realized they are 27 x 1-1/4” tires. :-)

Are you starting in Pittsburgh on June 9?

Well, the plans are being made for June to celebrate my 50th on the C&O with two friends. Any insider tips I should know about…basically we want to leave a car at the traildea in Cumberland and go for 4 days to DC…nothing set in stone but we would most likely rent a truck to go back if we can’t do the train. I did the GAP about 7 years ago without any training, and am hoping to ‘wing it’ again. Besides a bivy and sleeping bag, what are the necessities? Also, any places I must stop at?

Thanks for any insights in making my trip more enjoyable.

This is just my two cents worth.. The low hanging fruit.. Easy stuff. LOL..The areas to stop and ponder..the man power it took to Dig this 184.5 mile long Ditch....plus maintain it.. Look up some of the history...Paw Paw tunnel alone is incredible..3118 feet long...brick lined..every aqueduct is a work of art..Plus ya have to stop in Harpers Ferry,Tons of history ..Lock your rigs on the racks by the bridge and walk over..
Maybe someone else can suggest if leaving your panniers on the bikes is Ok.. Believe that Damn no. 5 you have to walk down to. the diverted path goes right in front of the Lockhouse at Damn 5. it has some pretty extensive construction going on. Oh and before ya get to Harpers your gonna love the cement path from lock 41 down to Guard lock
no. 4 ... then you will hit Damn no. 4..Those are the easy ones.. guarantee there is a ton more.. Welcome to the half century club..
Great idea..member for 16 years come July

Michele:

You've asked two questions: (1) What are the "necessities" for making the trip and (2) what sites you should stop for. You also stated you will be riding with friends, camping along the way and plan to spend 4 days in making the trip.

As for "necessities" there are the obvious ones including: bike tools, parts (tubes and/or plugs), bike lock, shelter, sleep kit, clothing, first aid kit, sunscreen, toiletries, water, food and snacks. If you have specific questions regarding any of these, I can elaborate if you wish. I also ensure I have some cash, a credit card and my AAA card which can be used in an emergency mechanical situation. Lastly, make sure you protect your car key as it could be a long walk home after your ride. :-)

Aside from "necessities", some riders have personal "creature comforts" they like to carry as well including cooking gear, campsite amenities, photographic and audio equipment,

As for stops to make, those would depend on your individual interests. The Towpath itself is noted for its construction features, locks, lock houses, Civil War history as well as its wildlife and fauna. The Potomac River that accompanies the Towpath has its own set of interesting features including its dams, landings, pools, whitewater and, of course, Great Falls. Lastly there are the adjacent towns, their people and services that are quite nice. Doug has noted some noteworthy potential sites. You and your friends would benefit immensely from spending some time before your trip reading a little about the Towpath, the Potomac River, the Civil War and the towns along the way to better appreciate what you'll be riding near, through and to rather than just riding with your head down from one overnight stop to another.

My points of interest and places to stop are generally quite simple and typically historical ones but I'll list some for consideration. Some are across the river or off the trail itself such as the Antietam National Battlefield.

Cumberland - George Washington's Headquarters
Oldtown - Oldtown Schoolhouse Kitchen
Paw Paw - Liberty Gas Station, old Mayor's Office and Tunnel
Little Orleans - Bill's Bar
Hancock - C&O Bike Shop chicken coops, BuddyLou's Restaurant
Big Pool Lake and Fort Frederick State Park
Williamsport - Cushwa Basin
Sharpsburg - Antietam National Battlefield
Shepherdstown - Shepherdstown Sweet Shop
Harpers Ferry - the old section of town
Brunswick - Beans in the Belfry Coffee Shop
Point of Rocks - Old Train Station
Poolesville - White's Ferry Store and Grill
Great Falls Overlook
DC - Milepost 0s

These are just some of mine. Yours and others tastes will vary. I can offer some additional ideas if I know your general interests.





Various aqueducts along the Towpath

For what it's worth, A coworker's son had his panniers stolen while leaving his bike at the Harpers Ferry pedestrian bridge. Its a pain having to carry your bike and gear up the stairs to the pedestrian bridge but better be safe than sorry. As I said before, it could make for a long walk home.

What a great way to celebrate your 50th! Your necessities question is a little broad ... so if you are camping .. . mess kit, hygiene kit, first aid, bike repair. Happy to refine further if you have specific questions or concerns.

Place where you must stop. Compared to the GAP, the C&O is more steeped in history and cultural artifacts along every mile. I personally enjoy it more for that and if you are so inclined I would suggest picking up a book like the C&O Canal Companion:

https://amzn.to/4aIqG35

It will give you some context and might inspire some things to look for along the way.

Beyond the canal itself, town stops I always include:

WheelzUp Bike Shop in Cumberland.
Schoolhouse Kitchen in Oldtown.
Bill's Tavern in Little Orleans.
C&O Bike Shop in Hancock
Fort Frederick
Harper's Ferry (itinerary dependent, but if you haven't been before, I would include time for it)
Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick
Great Falls

Also, worth looking into the Lock Houses as a campground alternative for a night. Varying degrees of "glamp", but if you get into the canal history, staying in a lock house can add a real sense of authenticity to the experience.

I want to thanks you folks for these great comments. Just when I think I “know” the towpath, one of teaches me something new. That is why I keep returning to this forum. Thank you, Doug & Brian and, as always, Rivnuts.

Brian cited most of my sites to stop and visit along the C&O, but I’ll add a couple more. Note my tastes are quite simple an generally rooted in the history. How about:

Trailside paw paw fruit in season
George Washington’s Headquarters in Cumberland
The Mayor’s Office in Paw Paw
Buddy Lou’s in Hancock
Cushwa Basin in Williamsport
Antietam Battle Field in Sharpsburg (You might want to Uber to get there off the trail.)
Sweet Shop Bakery and the Blue Moon Cafe among other shops in Shepherdstown
Whites Ferry Store and Grill
The train stations in Brunswick and Point of Rocks
Great Falls Visitor Center

And lastly, of course,

Milepost 0


One perhaps unusual essential item would be your AAA card in case of a bicycle emergency although you’ll need to get to a public road for them to pick you up.

Lots to explore and enjoy.

And by all means, buy a copy of the TRAILGUIDE from gaptrail.org or an REI store or bike shop if you are near the trail. It is extremely valuable.

Ok season is just around the corner..... What is the primary water treatment along the C&O.. planning on doing a mid to late March trip.. realize pump handles aren't on until maybe the 15th of April or so. probably going to carry 4 liter's or so. most of my career was outside year round.. Hydration was top priority.. Multiple nights...not entire towpath.. Just starting my journey.. Everyone on here has been extremely helpful..
truly appreciated.. Nope Nowhere near lock 10 and the spill.. Probably
above Brunswick or Harpers Ferry.. was in Williamsport Saturday.. Tow path was nice...If One were to start in Williamsport ,, where would you park and how would you get to the towpath.. wooden bridge with steps not really an option with my load..Heading upstream towards Cumberland..Any creeks or tributaries you would filter or treat..springs??Thanks...
Did ya notice the 9th letter wasn't used in it's singular form..

I suggest you park in the parking area just north and east of Canal Lockhouse 44. You can see it in Google Maps’ satellite view. From that parking lot you can easily cross the Canal to the Towpath with your bike.

I’ve not needed or wanted to collect and filter native water between Williamsport and Cumberland albeit i usually make my trips when the pumps are working and do not consume large amounts of water when riding. (Probably just riding too slowly.) There is potable water available just off the trail in Hancock, Paw Paw, Oldtown and Cumberland that fulfills the need for water, if required. While there are a number of creeks that cross beneath the Towpath, I’ve not been watchful for such water sources and thus have no input to that question.

Thanks Rivnuts...How much water do you carry ..what would you say is a daily average on milage. This elder is planning 25 to 30 Tops with 40 pounds roughly .When utilizing the pumps from the Hiker/biker campsites how are you treating the water..Thanks again

Oh and the parking area you are speaking of ..Is that the one that leads to the boat ramp for the Potomac.
Sorry

Doug:

The parking lot I recommended for the easiest bike access to the Towpath in Williamsport is east of the power plant and dam which are downriver of Cushwa Basin. I will email you a couple of annotated maps that show where the parking lot I recommend is located and the path to the Towpath.

As for water between Williamsport and Cumberland note the following distances and off-trail sources to or at the destinations for potable water:

Williamsport to Hancock 25 Sheetz
Hancock to Little Orleans 16 Bills Bar Closed Monday to Wednesday
Little Orleans to Paw Paw 16 Liberty Gas and Convenience Store
Paw Paw to OldTown 10 Schoolhouse Kitchen-Closed Monday
Oldtown to Cumberland 23 Fairfield Inn Bikewash Station

Accordingly, and with proper planning, you can obtain potable water within your 25-mile daily max ride. Other forum participants can no doubt add other sources along the way.

How much water one carries or needs are personal and weather dependent. I usually only carry two water bottles for drinking and or cooking. I carry a foldable water bag to collect water from the pumps for washup and cleanup. I will occasionally use untreated pump water for cooking after boiling. If necessary, I will use the pump water and filter it for drinking water. I would typically add some flavoring to that filtered pump water since it has a taste that I don't particularly care for. I don't use iodine tablets and the like since I don't care for that flavor either and just rely on my Sawyer water filter for purity.

A sincere tip of the hat to you sir...greatly appreciate the time.. Will keep you posted on planned trips

Raw sewage is being diverted into the Canal .... then pumped out back into the 72" sewage line that broke upstream... Can't imagine the clean up is going to be easy Estimated volume... Not necessarily in the canal but ballpark is 40 million gallons..This was 1/23/25

Where is this along the C&O?

I'm not 100% sure... thought they said something about lock 10...
please don't quote me on this.. But from the video's available, they have lined the canal with heavy gauge plastic.. then down river they cut a path through the canal berm to access the 72" pipe and dump into
that.. kinda cool really.. But what a mess .. several million gallons of untreated sewage were dumped into the poor old Potomac.. She has had so much filth and debris dumped over the centuries.. think the powers to be are handling this as well as can be expected considering the conditions and frozen ground.. believe the 72" pipe was installed in 1960.. always think back to when the C&O was officially closed.
1924...What were the river and canal water conditions back then . Some of the tree's in and around the canal are over a century old.. survived Agnus 72, 1996 Wow... so many other floods..
Stay warm

If it were indeed at Lock 10, that would be just inside the Beltway. I would assume that there are no public water system intakes downriver toward DC and appropriate measures are being taken. If there were any good news surrounding this situation, it would be that it’s winter. Raw sewage in the canal in August would be unpleasant if not even more unhealthy. Hopefully the situation is corrected.expeditiously.

I believe there have been reports on the facebook page:Great Allegheny Passage / C&O Canal Enthusiasts. This was posted by Greg Humes, today, 1-30-2026:

"C&O MM 10 Sewage Overflow update (as of late 1/29). I am going to copy/paste DC Water update as some posts with links aren't getting approved. "Today, officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), and DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) toured the collapse site. The visit provided a firsthand look into ongoing bypass operations, excavation, and the repair process, underscoring the strong oversight and collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies.

"Crews have excavated a section of the sewer line about 30 feet downstream of the collapse site and removed the crown of the pipe. Active flow is visible indicating the sewer line is partially functioning – despite the damage - with some wastewater getting past the break and continuing downstream in the Potomac Interceptor.

"Work will begin tomorrow to clean debris and obstructions in the pipe, a critical step toward restoring full flow through the system and eliminate dry and wet weather overflows. Additional work will also get underway to stabilize the ground at the collapse site. Trench boxes, acting as giant retaining walls, will be installed around the damaged section for containment and to prevent more erosion. Once debris is cleared and wastewater levels around the collapse drop further, teams will excavate the damaged pipe section to thoroughly assess the damage. This will determine the repairs needed and timeline.

"Eight bypass pumps remain in operation, with crews monitoring the site 24/7 to keep the pumps running through difficult conditions posed by the extreme cold. The system began operation on Saturday, diverting a significant volume of wastewater around the damaged pipe and carrying it back into the Potomac Interceptor further downstream of the collapse."

I hope that helps.

Thanks for that update.

Sincerely appreciate the time and thorough explanation... well done

Here is a link to an article by NPR regarding the sewage leak dated today, 2-7-26 at 7:10 PM:

https://www.npr.org/2026/02/07/nx-s1-5705313/broken-pipe-sewage-spill-potomac-river

I think there has been a more recent story on NPR about the sewage issue. There's also an article in USA. I've seen something on facebook about Governor Wes Moore and Trump blaming each other. And tonight Stephen Colbert discussed the issue during his monologue. It's too late for me to get the energy to post all the links to the articles. You can easily find them. For example if you google "USA Today Potomac sewage spill" it will actually bring up 4 articles and several videos.

Awwww thanks Cathy.. Its such a shame. people pointing fingers and zero action...Like most government actions.. its all about visual public interpretations.. Money Money money.. The real issues are going to show up this spring and summer when the temps start to rise.. Bacteria , algae blooms , fish kills, further down the Bay. Remember the fish kills on the eastern shore ....Multiply that ...Millions of gallons..Untreated..in the Canal....Wildlife, people, aquatic species,,People have miss treated these water ways for centuries..one step forward 5 steps back.. Sorry for the ramble. Off topic a bit, Just truly strikes a nerve...Hope you got a bit of rest..
Thanks again

We are going from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. On day 1 we wanted to get some mileage under our belt after a long car ride.

The approximate mileage we wanted to get through was Pittsburgh to Elizabethtown (or less) on day 1.

The issue is we have a rather large contingency (12 riders) so we will need accomodations for all-1 couple and the rest of the riders can double up.

Does someone have a suggestion on accomodation for a night in September?

Thanks!

Elizabethtown? I know of no such place along the trail by that name. A portion of the GAP passes through Elizabeth Township but I know of now place there that could accommodate a large group. Hence I’m not sure how to answer your question but I’ll offer some information to consider. Many large groups riding from Pittsburgh to DC spend the first night in West Newton, PA. There is a BnB there (Bright Morning) consisting of multiple buildings. It is about 35 miles from the start of the GAP in downtown Pittsburgh. If you want to get further down the trail, the next opportunity for a large group to stay would likely be in Connellsville at the Comfort Inn hotel. That would be a 60–mile day from downtown.

I’m not sure if this is the kind of info you’re looking for. If not, please provide some additional details about your desired itinerary and I or others will try to help.

An additional thought came to mind. The John Butler House BnB in Elizabeth Township near Butler Golf Course has four bedrooms that could accommodate eight people which may not be enough for your group. Also it is up a nearly one-mile hill via Rock Run Road off the trail. It's about 25 miles from downtown.

What is the actual mileage you are trying to target?

Take a look at the Mileage Chart on the menu at the top of this website. You'll see a decent chart that lines up mileage from Pittsburgh to towns along the route. That might give a better sense of where to start looking for accommodations.

Maybe just ride to Homestead as a bit of a shakedown / stretch the legs kind of thing. Plenty of hotel rooms there, and restaurant choices as well. Of course, you have to go to Primanti's, but others may not be interested in local culture.

Also, Rivnuts, it's good to see you still here helping folks out. If you ever make it down to the Katy, be sure to find me on that forum...

Bill in Columbia (Houston):

Long time…no hear! Nice to see you are still lurking out there! We miss your insight and affection for the GAP/C&O. Interesting, I did make it to Missouri and ride the Big BAM Tour in the fall of 2024. The Katy had been on my bucket list for some time.

You don’t know how close you came to seeing me during that trip! I was in the ER the Thursday night before departing for Missouri with abdominal distress but was treated and released. Feeling better the next morning I drove with a friend from Pittsburgh via Columbus OH to St. Charles and took the bus to Clinton to begin the ride. Though not feeling great, I made it to Boonville where I became very ill during the night. Enough so, that I was developing plans to abandon the tour, ride to Columbia which appeared to be the nearest hospital and location from which I could fly home. In that event, I was going to try to contact you about leaving my bike with you if I had to fly home. Fortunately, my friend had driven from Columbus to St. Charles so that I wouldn’t have to retrieve a car from St. Charles also but only from Columbus if I did abandon the tour. However, the next morning I felt somewhat better and completed the tour and returned to Pittsburgh. A few days after returning I had emergency abdominal surgery. I know that’s too much information!

All that said, it’s good to hear from you again. Hope to see you in the ‘Burgh in the future. Stay well my friend and keep the rubber side down!

Oh wow! You can't keep a good man down, I guess! Glad you made it down for Big BAM and overcame your issues for long enough to finish the ride. The Katy is a great trail, so I am glad that you were able to cross it off your list.

Hopefully wifey and I will get to do the GAP/C&O again someday. Right now we are crossing off other rail trails in an increasing radius around us.

We did make it over to the OTET, which I would recommend if you have not ridden it. Some people even piece together trails to ride from PGH to Cleveland.

I'll send you an email with additional contact info. Hit me up if you're ever in the neighborhood again!

Bill:

I rode the OTET a few years ago along with lots of other trails in Ohio via the GOBA and XOBA tours. I also have ridden from son’s house in Toledo back to Pittsburgh. Ohio offers some great trails and country roads and mostly flat! Great parks system also.

Two suggestions for consideration out of Pittsburgh. The first is the Gap Cyclists (only) Campground in West Newton, PA. Full service in terms of a cooking facility for campsite creations and showers to wash up. Not too primitive but a freight train comes through often. I like trains. 34.7 miles from Pittsburgh. Secondly, The Hostel on Main in Rockwood, PA has bunk beds, washroom facilities and there are a couple of breweries in town. Cool area. Good food. 44 miles from West Newton.

I believe the distance from West Newton to Rockwood is closer to 70 miles.

Looking for some feedback on how rough (roots and rocks) the C&O trail is, and if there are sections which are rougher than others.

The short answer is yes. The C&O Towpath surface varies over its length. Unless you divert to the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) that parallels the C&O for ~25 miles, the Towpath is an unpaved trail of varying surface types. The good news is that over the years, much of the native earthen surface has been improved via resurfacing with a crushed aggregate. However, there remains a number of “3R” (rocks roots and ruts”) sections as well as some that don’t drain well and will be muddy with significant or recurring rain.

Approaching and especially exiting the Paw Paw Tunnel to Little Orleans has one or more of the 3R’s present. In fact, the section from the Paw Paw Tunnel to Little Orleans has not been resurfaced (as of last August) and is less enjoyable especially during or following rain. Also, the trail approaching and after Great Falls is a more gravelly surface with some rocks. In general none of the rocks are particularly sharp. Of all my trips on the C&O, a few have been on a road bike with 28mm tires. That would not be my recommendation, but I wouldn’t buy another bike just to make the trip. Wider tires or a thick chamois would be desirable however. :-)

Hopefully, other forum participants can offer their experience and opinions as well.

As Rivnuts mentions, it has changed quite a bit over the years and each year gets a little closer to the GAP in terms of surface quality. The important point though is that it isn't all like that. Where it is, you have a fine crushed limestone that rolls nearly as fast as pavement. It's a joy, but you do have to keep in mind that it is not asphalt. Edges will be soft and where it's soft thin tires will sink.

In other areas, you will encounter a rougher aggregate, pea rock, and dirt. Where it is dirt, you may encounter mud, or ruts. It's been two years since my last ride, but Cumberland south to Oldtown was particularly rough. Over they years I have also frequently encountered "temporary" surface, following a washout or other repair activity, and these sections are typically a coarser gravel.

If you are planning a full ride, probably the most important thing is to just be aware of the varying conditions and plan for the unexpected.

BUT ... this is not rough/technical, single-track level hazard. And it also not (generally) deep gravel, or chunky gravel.

What is your concern? General curiousity, difficulty of riding, bike prep, etc?

What is your concern?

It is very different than the crushed limestone of the GAP, but the roots and rocks aren't really a big deal. It's the mud that can be difficult if it's been raining. It can especially be difficult heading east out of Cumberland. If it's dry, the trail is actually pretty good.