C&O / GAP Forum

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

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.

Was curious about construction progress on the new steps .. going from the tow path to the pedestrian bridge for access to
Harper's Ferry.., a little wordy sorry....

It's been a month since I've been by. They were still working on foundation.

Thank you very much... I imagine the frozen precip and crazy ground freezing temps aren't going to help with the progress..

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?

Just want to reach out to everyone and wish a very happy holiday and God Bless

You too Michael. My New Year plans are to ride the GAP/CO along about June. Hope closures don't present obstacles.

Thanks for the holiday wishes and hope you and yours have a great New Year. Spring is right around the corner my friend!

I haven't gotten to ride as much as I'd like but hope to do better in 2026. Maybe I'll see you out there.

Thank you, Michael.
I am late with my reply - I thought the reply but did not write it down. We are so very fortunate to have these trails available to us. Thank you for joining us.

Cathy,
Keep training during the holidays kid. It pays off when the warm weather arrives. Winter rides are navigable since indoor trainers don't do it for me personally.

Navigable perhaps but with multiple inches of snow and temps in the 20’s here in Pittsburgh, winter training rides are quite challenging but still better than riding indoor.

I got out yesterday, 1/7/26, and rode 10 miles. Temps were in the mid 40s with maybe 8-10 mph wind. It was easy. I was surprised and thrilled that I could handle that low temperature. So I'm optimistic about doing some rides when it is in the mid 40s or up and dry. And who knows, maybe the low 40s. Hopefully this post will not result in weeks of constant snow and temps in the 20s until April.

I agree that trying to train indoors just isn't the same as being on a bike on a trail.

Please 2026, be less traumatic than 2025! Well, ok, never mind about that. Just give us bikeable weather.

Are there places to hang hammock?

All you need to do is Google "horsepen Branch campsite" and the results will show multiple photographs that people have taken of the campsite. Reviewing the photographs should answer your question.

The Pedalshift Project YouTube channel provides short video clips of all the hiker/biker campsites. A link to the video for the Horsepen Branch campsite is provided below. While I have camped there a few times over my several trips to/from DC, my sleep kit does not include a hammock and thus I have not used one there. That said, this video indicates there are a couple of locations there that a hammock can be used along with tent camping.

https://youtu.be/QBDFh7EjEEI

When do the put the handles back the pumps $

Typically by mid-April but there is not a definitive date for each of the pumps along the towpath. Your best resource is the NPS webpage for this info.

Thank you

I am attempting the entire GAP and C&O at the end of March. It looks like I may need to find a way around the Big Savage Tunnel as it may not be be open when I come through.

Any recommend ride arounds? I’ve been looking on Komoot and Ride with GPS and it appears that there may be a jeep trail that comes down from Sampson Rock or there may be a way to utilize the windmill access road but it’s hard to tell definitively. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jasen

We would like to rent Trek bikes for the 333 mile ride. Do you rent?

I don’t know if Trek Bikes in Shadyside rents bikes for GAP/C&O tours but I know that Golden Triangle Bikes in Downtown Pittsburgh does during the touring season. You might want contact them.

See the notice below. This repaving is sorely (literally) needed.

Milling and Paving on Pittsburgh’s South Side
GAP Mile 145 | Reported on October 30, 2025 | Last Updated: October 30, 2025
The City of Pittsburgh is milling, flattening bumps, and repairing a culvert along the asphalt section of the Great Allegheny Passage on Pittsburgh’s South Side on October 30 and 31. This is a three mile section between Hot Metal Street and Haysglen Street (under the Glenwood Bridge) paralleling the Monongahela River. Please slow down and follow instructions from flaggers or construction workers when traveling this section. The GAP remains open during milling.
Once milling is complete, the City of Pittsburgh will repave this section with a smooth topcoat of new asphalt, tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 3. In order to accomplish this task, this section will be closed on that date. The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy will underwrite a free shuttle service between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm that day. The shuttle will travel between the SpringHill Suites Pittsburgh Southside Works at 2950 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 and where the GAP crosses Haysglen Street under the Glenwood Bridge. The shuttle is first-come, first-served. Please wait on the sidewalk or out of the path of traffic.
If heavy rain delays the milling or paving, we will update this page.

This work is now complete.

The subject tunnel will close for the winter on Wednesday November 26.

I'm thinking of riding from Pittsburgh to Rockwood, PA this week. Maybe Meyersdale the next day. A Fall color tour would do me some good since surgery is on the horizon. 30 October. Kind of chilly for camping at night though. But that cyclist campground in West Newton is awesome. Anybody that wants to join me go ahead and post it.

FYI. It's going to be quite brisk here in western PA the next few days with highs around 50 and lows just above or below 40. What day are you leaving and returning?

Hey Rivnuts:

I decided not to journey on a Fall ride after all. But the post-op is going well after my surgery and I hope to cycle the entire Gap/Co in 2026. Thanks for the contact.

We usually go to Liberty laundromat on Sunday mornings and the door does not open at 6 last Sunday we waited until 10 after 6 Today the lights came on at 6:15 the door did not open until 7:15we did not know if the owner is aware of this. Thank You

The Gaptrail.org website reports that the segment detour between Markleron and Rockwood has been cleared and open for travel. Good news for fall cyclists.

Hi All,
Quality Inn & Suites Shepherdstown is now open again and fully renovated. Please come by and visit us. We also have secure bike storage inside the hotel as well. Thank you Mr.Moore (community member) for tagging us and letting folks know we are open and welcoming guests again! Look forward to seeing you soon.

https://www.choicehotels.com/west-virginia/shepherdstown/quality-inn-hotels/wv098

Yes, I stayed at the newly reopened and renovated Quality Inn in Shepherdstown and I'm so glad I did. It is a wonderful respite between Brunswick and Williamsport on the C&O Canal towpath. The rooms are all newly renovated and the breakfast in the morning was fantastic.... It fueled me up for a long day of bike touring. They also have a very secure indoor room to store your bike on the first floor. I highly recommend anybody touring on the towpath to consider stopping here for the night. It's worth it. Nearby is a grocery store, McDonalds, various restaurants, etc. Thank you Quality Inn Shepherdstown for a wonderful stay. I will be back :-)

I, too, stayed at the Quality Inn in Shepherdstown last Wednesday during my annual DC to Pgh ride following two straight days and one night of rain. They were courteous and rooms were nice and clean and allowed me to dry out my tent, clothes and gear.

The “locked room” for bikes was an electrical service room just inside the reception area that was very warm. Just great for drying out a wet bike and some gear.

With the exception of the “eggs”, their breakfast good.

We stayed at the Quality Inn Shepherdstown. Checking the directions on google maps was a treat. It called the routte from the C&O to the hotel,"mostly flat." That’s a hoot.

To West Virginians the climb up the switchback to the bridge and up to town after crossing the river is cosidered “mostly flat”! ????

Does anyone know if the hostel in Frostburg is still being used?
Thanks in advance!

While I stayed at the Frostburg Trail Inn Cafe and Tunnel Hotel campground last week, it was not apparent that the former hostel still operates as such nor does its booking website list any hostel reservations per se’. I’d give them a call at (301) 689-6466 to get the best current info.

On the C&O towpath trail south. Leaving Hancock in the morning. Hotel room in Harpers Ferry for the night. By chance, stopped in C&O bikes when I arrived in Hancock this afternoon and the had notice by register about Byron Bridge closure while a temp staircase is installed. Shuttle service in place 9-5 between lock 34 and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park Visitors Center. Anyone used the shuttle? How long did you have to wait? Heads up for anyone needing to get from/to the tow path and Harpers Ferry in next couple of weeks. More details with some maps here: https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/byron-bridge.htm

If you are on a bike and need to get to Harpers Ferry, you have a challenge. The shuttle is a coach van with no bike racks. The driver told us he is authorized to take bikes and can load them in the back door “as long as there aren’t many passengers.” When we arrived this afternoon, there were about 20 people waiting so the driver told us he would be too full to take our bikes. When we asked what we should do, he said we could wait, he would be back in an hour, and there “might be room.” We were lucky because we have a friend nearby who was able to retrieve us. If you are riding a bike and have lodging in Harpers Ferry, probably need to arrange an alternate to the National Park Service shuttle until the temp staircase opens. I would imageine that the first shuttle back to lock 34 in the morning will be packed since it doesn’t start until 9:00am, so probably no room for bikes. Don’t know how long it would take you to get out of Harpers Ferry and back to the tow path.

Just a word of warning about the detour on the C&O Canal Towpath at Dam 5. This detour includes a two-level wooden stairway to/from the detour path. For those with heavily laden bikes or ebikes, you would do well to elicit the support of another person to aid in getting your bike up and down these stairs. Not getting some assistance could lead to both you and your bike falling.

I am doing the GAP and C&O in early September. Previous posts mention the GAP is closed due to landslide and that Shuttles have been running. Is this still the case?
Thanks.

Scroll just a little bit lower on this forum and you'll find a discussion about the closure due to the landslide and shuttles. I think the shuttles are expected to run through 10/1/25. It is covered in depth in that thread.

It has been reported that the shuttles will be offered AT LEAST through October 1 if a full evaluation and remedies are not completed before then.

I biked through that area last week. Short answer is that the 7-mile landslide area is barricaded due to terrain instability (not current condition of the trail), and the shuttles aren't always reliable. I arrived at the shuttle stop at 4:30 pm last Saturday, and later learned the last shuttle of the day had departed 15 minutes earlier at 4:15 pm. Best to have a "plan B".

The Gaptrail website has updated the shuttle service information as follows:

"This shuttle has been extended through at least October 19 or upon the segment reopening, whichever comes first."

This is consistent from what I heard from a shuttle driver a few days ago.

Is there any way to get to Leesburg VA by bike from the C&O trail (Poolesville area)? I know there used to be a ferry, but how can we cross the Potomac now?

This question has been raised on this forum on several occasions. The short answer is no unless you can locate a shuttle service to come get you on the Towpath and take you to Leesburg. An adventurous sole could cross the river in Harpers Ferry, wind their way uphill on roads to Purcellville and ride the W&OD Trail to Leesburg and continue to DC on that Trail. I’ve done that but do’t recommend it for most riders.

I would go to Brunswick, cross the Potomac there, and head to the W&OD. The bridge over the Potomac and the bit on Berlin Tpke may be uncomfortable, car-wise, for people who aren't accustomed to riding on the road (total distance for this bit is under 1.5 miles). Although Berlin Tpke takes you all the way to Purcellville where you can hop on the W&OD it's a 55mph road without much of a shoulder so I wouldn't go that way (even as an experienced road rider). You can take the first right off of Berlin Tpke onto Tollhouse Rd to get away from most of the traffic and then take backroads to Purcellville instead. That's what I would do.

I recently rode from Shepherdstown to Aldie, crossing Potomac at Brunswick. Took Wenner Rd (first left off of Berlin Tnpk) to Lovettsville, then network of hilly, mostly gravel roads to Purcellville where I accessed the W&OD. In my case, I jumped off at Ashburn to get down to Aldie. Sure wish the ferry would be resurrected...

While stopped at the White's Ferry Grill last week, the subject of getting across the river to Leesburg was being bantered about. One of the ladies working there noted that they have occasionally summoned a local shuttle to take a stranded cyclist to Leesburg.

The shuttle's name was "Transportation" at 240-224-6059. Their business card claims fast, cheap and safe service and accepts cash only.

Hi. I thought it would be useful to start a thread here on the subject of the HF footbridge being closed due to renovation. Timing? How to get to HF with bike if planning to spend the night?

Here what’s posted in the C&O Canal’s “Alerts”:

Harpers Ferry Area (MP 60.6)

Access Change. Byron Bridge. Beginning Sept. 22, the stairway between the Byron Bridge and C&O Canal will close for approximately 2 weeks. A shuttle will run between C&O Canal Lock 34 and Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center. Learn more about the project.
Learn More. For conditions at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, including Maryland Heights.

In addition to the NPS provided shuttle, several National Park Service Commercial Use Authorization holders have shuttle services available. Reservations, fees, and arrangements must be made directly with those businesses. For more information please call:

River & Trail Outfitters
301-834-9950
river@rivertrail.com
https://www.rivertrail.com/

Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle
304-876-3000
eddie@thepedalpaddle.com
https://www.thepedalpaddle.com/

There have been several comments posted on the facebook page: Great Allegheny Passage / C&O Canal Enthusiasts about this topic. It appears to change from bikes cannot be loaded on the shuttle provided by the NHP temp shuttle to they might be allowed.

Blew out my rear derailleur cable the day before our trip. Thus only had one gear in the rear. Being Labor day weekend, no bike shop was open at home. My first day on the trail I knew about the bike shop in West Newton. So I figured I could make it no problem. When I arrived
I was greeted a smile and great customer service. I asked to have both front and rear cables replaced. Was told yes, about 30minytes to an hour. So While the bike was worked on I went up stairs to have lunch at Trailside Restaurant and Pub. Good food and drinks.
While eating I could see them testing and adjusting the cables on the trail. Got done eating and went down to get my bike. They suggested a new chain and rear cog. Stated they were pretty warn. But no pressure from them to have it done. In fact they suggested maybe at end of season. I really appreciated there feedback and that they were not just trying to upsell me. It was just about an hour timeframe from start to finish (with food in my stomach too). Finished the GAP trail and had a great experience. I highly recommend West Newton Bicycle Shop. Though they were honest and fair. If they were in my home town I would use them for all my servicing needs.