C&O / GAP Forum

Hi, a group of us will be riding the entire 350 mile trail in mid October next year. We would like to schedule a rest/skip day to enjoy our surrounds. What locations have the most to offer along the route?
Thanks for the feedback.

That's a new and intriguing question. Which direction you plan to make the trip and the weather during the trip would likely impact your choice. That said, here are some thoughts:

1. Cumberland, MD is the largest town directly on the trail and offers multiple lodging and food options. The town itself is not particularly overwhelming but you might find a fall excursion trip up the hill on the Western Maryland Railroad to Frostburg, MD to be nice.
2. Ohiopyle, PA is a colorful stopover in the fall and a side trip to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater home is a rather unique architectural entity.
3. Harpers Ferry, WV offers an opportunity to visit one of the well known sites from the Civil War. It's a small, quaint little historic town.
4. Great Falls, MD has an impressive set of waterfalls in the Potomac River and a working canal lock to see how the canal was traversed in its day. However there is no lodging at the falls themselves.
5. While not logistically consistent with a layover/rest day, the two terminus cities of Pittsburgh and Washington, DC offer all sorts of diverse sightseeing options which you should take advantage of it you have not visited one or both cities.

These are just some of my thoughts. Depending on what your interests are, there may be several others. I'm sure other contributors to this forum will have other suggestions as well.

Thanks for the suggestions! We will be riding from Pittsburgh to DC. Much appreciated. so many things to do..wish we could do them all!

Given you are going to travel from Pittsburgh to DC and assuming you are planning a 6 or 7 day trip, a layover in Cunberland would be my recommendation. It will accommodate larger groups, is about midway and s right on the trail. There are several food, lodging, laundry and bike shop options on or near the trail making it a good layover/rest option for your itinerary.

Spend a little time prior to your trip to read about the histories of the GAP and C&O trails to enjoy the trip and sites as much as possible n your short times there.

Best wishes for a great trip.

I appreciate you taking the time to help us with this decision. Cumberland has a lot of things to do and see.

Given you are going to travel from Pittsburgh to DC and assuming you are planning a 6 or 7 day trip, a layover in Cunberland would be my recommendation. It will accommodate larger groups, is about midway and s right on the trail. There are several food, lodging, laundry and bike shop options on or near the trail making it a good layover/rest option for your itinerary.

Spend a little time prior to your trip to read about the histories of the GAP and C&O trails to enjoy the trip and sites as much as possible n your short times there.

Best wishes for a great trip.

Don't forget Antietam, Civil war battlefield between Harpers Ferry and Williamsport.

Other suggestions might spring up reading the C&O -Gap Trailguide. It is 10 dollars well spent.

I have a place that can be used for one year if you put a new 100 amp b ox in. That's all I'm asking. You just put the utilities in your name. I have the cutest little place to use for your fishing, hiking, biking stone's throw from the Yough and short walk to the German Club. Rostraver Township. Get in touch with me. Put Yough River in subject line and I will be watching.

I would suggest either Ohiopyle or Shepherdstown for a zero day.

A stay in Ohiopyle will allow you plenty of time to visit and enjoy Fallingwater or Kentuck Knob or both. Not sure how late into the season the rafting goes, but that is another option of things to do while there.

I would recommend Shepherdstown because it is close enough to Antietam that you could definitely visit that, but I found that Shepherdstown is a much more interesting town than Sharpsburg and offers a lot of options in regards to dining. If you didn’t want to ride back to Antietam, I believe the bike shop in town offers a shuttle.

I would suggest either Ohiopyle or Shepherdstown for a zero day.

A stay in Ohiopyle will allow you plenty of time to visit and enjoy Fallingwater or Kentuck Knob or both. Not sure how late into the season the rafting goes, but that is another option of things to do while there.

I would recommend Shepherdstown because it is close enough to Antietam that you could definitely visit that, but I found that Shepherdstown is a much more interesting town than Sharpsburg and offers a lot of options in regards to dining. If you didn’t want to ride back to Antietam, I believe the bike shop in town offers a shuttle.

Thanks, we have settled on Shepherdstown.

anyone know how close to the trail this is?

It is across the river and ~2 miles from the C&O Towpath.

Completed the trip in October. Saw this news about the freight train derailment. Hope you figure out a workaround.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/freight-train-derails-and-falls-into-potomac-river-near-harpers-ferry-wva/2019/12/21/6970e6f2-240a-11ea-a153-dce4b94e4249_story.html

Hi all. One month ago I rode the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. From Key Largo to Key West then back. I made a video on YouTube for anyone that may be interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejr04R8e7SE
Just open the link. I have put out several videos on this site. Hope you enjoy this one.

What is the preferred direction to ride DC to Pitts or Pitt to DC

That depends on your priorities including travel logistics, physical conditions, preferred accommodations, etc. The biggest difference that most riders cite is the topography. From DC to Washington makes the 23-mile section from the Eastern Continental Divide to Cumberland a downhill ride whereas in the other direction it is an uphill ride. It doable either way depending on your preference.

Travel logistics to/from Pittsburgh and Washington, DC are the other most common factors in choosing which way to ride this trail.

Note this correction to the third sentence of my earlier reply. It should From "Pittsburgh to Washington" makes the 23-mile....

Is Whites Ferry the only way to get to Leesburg from the Towpath? Do I have to backtrack to the Ferry to continue East?

Coming from the west, Whites ferry is the closest to Leesburg.

I wouldn't recommend crossing at Point of Rocks and taking route 15 into Leesburg. No shoulder and crazy traffic.

Now once in Leesburg, you don't have to backtrack to Whites Ferry. The Washington and Old Dominion Trail runs through downtown Leesburg. You can take the WOD all the way to Arlington VA. Then use the four mile run trail from Arlington to National Airport, then the Mt Vernon Trail to DC.

You miss all the canal scenery for the last 35 miles to DC by taking the WOD instead of the C&O. There are more opportunities for food and beverages on the WOD though.

I agree with Willy, but I'd add that it isn't very far from White's Ferry to Leesburg, or at least downtown Leesburg. It's maybe three miles. The canal from White's Ferry to Georgetown is a lot more scenic than the W&&OD. And, it seems to me that if your idea is to bike the C&O Canal, you should bike the C&O Canal. There is nothing particularly historic about the W&OD.

While it is only 3 miles from the ferry to Leesburg, much of it is on Highway 15. As noted in various previous threads, Highway 15 is a busy road with certain sections with little or no shoulder. If you are taking a shuttle from the ferry to Leesburg then that is irrelevant.

Leesburg Colonial Inn shuttled us. Nice folks

Thanks all. Looking forward to the trip in the spring

I’m planning to pay for my husbands lodging so he can ride the C and O canal trail in the spring. Who do I contact to set up lodging?

Sarah at Noble Invention can assist you in obtaining lodging for your trip. It would helpful if you could provide an itinerary, I.e. how many days you plan to ride and/or what city you would like to stay in each night. She can provide recommendations also if needed. I’ll

There are other tour operators than can assist you as well.

Do we need to worry about black bears this time of year? Planning a 2 day trip from DC to Harper's Ferry and may need to camp out 1 night.

In 5 full trips from Pittsburgh To DC in the last 5 years and several partial trips on the GAP and C&O trails and camping along the way, I've not seen a bear..

Thanks Rivnuts, maybe i'l just buy some kind of air horn, instead of bear spray, happy traveling!

The Hostel is permanently closed as of October 25, 2019 per the phone recording.

Thank you for the heads-up on this. I have updated the listings.

Happy trails!

Hoping to do a long day trip from HF to DC this weekend with a friend. A bit ambitious and not enough time for camping and sightseeing, but wanted to be outdoors for a good long day. I've seen comments on this board about the section between Shepardstown and Brunswick being recently resurfaced. Anyone have info or observations about the condition of other sections of the towpath in the HF to DC stretch?

Road from Shepherds Town to Brunswick Monday and Tuesday . It has been resurfaced, like riding on pavement.

I know it’s a little late for Gabe but just got back from a week on the trail and about 5 miles of trail below Whites Ferry is resurfaced. Also about 3 miles above Whites Ferry, then you get a longer section that’s been scrapped in preparation for resurfacing but right now its very bumpy.The slack water paved section is in excellent shape as well.

Are electric bikes allowed on the trail?

Of course, "motorized vehicles" are prohibited on the trail, but I am unaware of any prohibitions of ebikes and have seen several on the trail. That said, there isn't a whole lot of need as the grades are very slight and gradual.

I must say I am flat out against ebikes on the trail. I would be OK on a permit only basis based on disability for example but otherwise these things move way to fast compared to a pedal bike or hike and I think they should not be allowed. Just my 2 cents.

I used to be against electric bikes on the trail. But then I met an older gentleman and his wife on that paved trail and spoke with him for a while. He said he used to ride bikes a lot and wanted to keep riding. Apparently, with these EBs you can “dial in” how much work you want to do. So, without the EB he wouldn’t be riding at all. With the EB he can still enjoy life on his bicycle. I don’t think it is safe to ride an EB fast in the C&O or GAP. After talking to him, I changed my mind.

E-Bikes are very legal to ride on the trail. Everyone on a E-Bike or regular bike has to obey all the same rules. The speed on the trail is 15 mph. With that said, yes,I have seen E-Bikes go over that but also regular bikes go over that. When you see someone on an E-bike chances are they are older, heaver, or may have a disability that you may not even be able to see. The point is these bikes cost more money and they are spending it so they to can still enjoy the trail or maybe just being able to ride a bike again. I don't like being passed but if a person calls the pass out before hand and for the most part the trail is plenty wide enough, it's all good. And yes, I have an E-Bike,and two regular bikes and depending on the ride location, length, time and how I feel that day, then I decide on which bike I take. It's never just because I want to go fast, however, I do enjoy being able to pass people again at 67 which does not happen on my regular bikes. Hope this helps. Any comments are welcomed. Enjoy the ride.

I have very mixed opinions pertaining to e-bikes. I have been through the C & O trail a number of times now, and have come to feel an almost spiritual reverence for the sights, smells and sounds when passing through this historic and majestic place. The thought of any type of electrically propelled bike seemed to be inappropriate for these types of trails.
I kind of changed that outlook one day on a trip from DC to Pgh when I happened to meet an elderly gentleman who was slowly making his way up the towpath riding on an electric wheelchair-type scooter. He said he was 86 years old and he had been hiking the C & O since the 1960's. Bad knees and hips now prevent him from walking the trail. As he looked around as he talked to me, I saw the same reverence in his eyes and his words for the trail that I felt. Apparently his grandson drops him off at a trailhead, and he tries to make it to the next trailhead to be picked up. How fantastic to be 86 and still set goals. E-bikes should be allowed possibly with special permits to limit the use to people who really need them.

Been reading the recent posts re: e-bikes. I’m nearing age 70 and have biked all around the world. Still love to ride, but putting big mileage on day after day for a week or two or even more is getting difficult. Just bought an e-bike a few weeks ago. For me, it’s not about the speed, it’s about endurance and continuing to enjoy what I love most. Biking!!! Still have my regular road and mtn bikes, just another option when needed. (I admit I felt a little guilty when I first bought it, but it sure feels great to stay in the saddle longer).

Are electric bikes allowed on the C&O Canal NHP Towpath?

As I recently noted an earlier forum thread on e-bikes the National Park Service as of August 30, 2019 has adopted a new policy that generally permits e-bikes within the national parks albeit subject to any specifically different policies of the individual parks. A search of the NPS webpage for the C&O Canal Towpath does not appear to identify any restrictions to the use of e-bikes therein.

Currently, according to the NPS website on the C&O, ebikes are NOT allowed (how some did searches without finding it shows they don't know how to navigate a website).

https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/hikingandbiking.htm

Having said that, I've heard that it may be changing. But the official website still shows them as not allowed.

See the attached Executive Order for additional information.

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/sites/default/files/attachments/so_3376_-_increasing_recreational_opportunities_through_the_use_of_electric_bikes_-508_0.pdf

Friends and I would like to plan a bike trip next year, either spring or fall, to bike the GAP and C&O; however, we heard the C&O is in bad shape and not really maintained. We’re wondering your thoughts on this. We may skip the C&O and just do the GAP, as we’ve heard wonderful hints about the GAP, not so much with the C&O. FYI, we all have hybrids.

The C&O can certainly be less enjoyable than the GAP, particularly in wet conditions. However, the history along the way is worth experiencing, at least once. Sections of the Towpath have, in fact, been improved. As noted in an earlier forum thread, the section between Shepherdstown and Brunswick has been resurfaced and is much smoother and with better drainage than its earlier, natural condition. I'm told that another section of the Towpath downriver from Brunswick has also been similarly resurfaced.

Also the WMRT that parallels the Towpath is a very nice, paved trail.

So, I guess it depends on your tolerance for some mud, roots and rocks.

Guys I set out to do both the c and o and the GAP trail Last year October 8th I made it 286 miles until I had rear wheel failure I will say the C and O path is definitely a lot rougher than the GAP however it is ok when the conditions aren't super wet some parts are not passable when it is soaked. The bugs are surprisingly bad this time of year so plan accordingly the bugs were a problem. the temperature is absolutely perfect though and the scenery and historic stops are amazing plan accordingly and research your stops and camp sites headlamps head lamps head lamps and maybe an extra headlight just in case.

How far from the C&O trail is the campground? How steep is the access road?

According to Google Maps and Ride With GPS, the Treehouse Camp at Maple Tree in Rohrersville, MD is 8.3 miles from Brunswick with grades up to 11% as you approach the camp.

I’m looking for suggestions for a section of trail to sample on a one day out and back ride. I’m considering a full trail trip next season but find myself with a free Saturday this month and an itching to try out the C and O. I’ve done the GAP twice, so it’s time to try something new.

What is the best section of trail to try out?

Thanks...

My suggestion would depend on a number of things such as your location, what you want to experience and the distance you'd like to ride in a single day. One thought would be to start in Hancock and ride toward Little Orleans on the paved WMRT that parallels the Towpath and then drop down on the Towpath itself and head back to and beyond Hancock to the downriver end of the WMRT and return to Hancock on the WMRT.. That would be about 45 miles and you would get a good sample of the Towpath and a fairly easy ride. Perhaps the best part of this ride would be the ability to finish off the ride with dinner at Weaver's Restaurant in Hancock.

There are numerous other options depending on your location and preferences.

Possibly the section between Williamsport and Shepherdstown would be good for you if your coming from Allentown. Williamsport is probably the nearest trailhead to you, plus the Conococheague aqueduct at Williamsport was just rebuilt and rewatered & appears to be an interesting location. Also the concrete structure section of trail at Slackwater around mile 87 is worth seeing although probably not recommended for inexperienced riders & kids due to the unprotected drop to the river. If you have access to Google-Earth you can actually see what the trail looks like in "street view". Not sure how they filmed the trail, maybe in an ATV, but it gives you an excellent view of the trail as you would see it from a bike. Possibly have lunch in historic Shepherdstown, then back to Williamsport for a do-able 55 mile day.

Once we make the trip from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. on the GAP and then the C&O we would like to take a train to Philadelphia. Is there a train that will accept us and our bikes?

I don’t have first hand knowledge but road this week with a chap from Philly who said he was taking the train with his bike to Philly from DC.

There are four trains that have baggage cars that handle bikes between WAS and PHL during the week. Please go to Amtrak website and become familiar with making trial reservations for trains between WAS and PHL. Look for the bicycle and baggage symbols among the many listed trains.
You will need a reservation for yourself and the bicycle. You will have to roll your bike to the baggage car and pick it up.

Train 56 Vermonter *Recommended as it originates in WAS
Train 80 Carolinian
Train 90 Palmetto
Train 66 Northeast Regional

Good news from Amtrak this week! The Pennsylvanian now allows bike roll on without boxing the bike. Service available at:

Pittsburgh

Altoona

Johnstown

Harrisburg

Lancaster

Philadelphia

Newark

and NY Penn.

When you book your seat you will see the Bicycle logo and you pay 20 USD.

I'll be taking the train with touring bike from NYP to Pittsburgh tomorrow and riding the ACA Chicago to NYC alternative.

Kimo Goree lgoree@gmail.com

I had read that one or more sections of the Towpath had been resurfaced. Yesterday in route to DC I rode from Shepherdstown to Brunswick on one of those sections. What a delight. Compared to the Towpath upriver, it was smooth and without mud and puddles. It was much like the GAP Trail albeit different color. I don’t know what aggregate material was used or what installation procedures were used but it was a very welcomed improvement. I hope more sections will be similarly improved.

While the aqueduct restoration project in Williamsport is complete, I noted that the former path across the canal at the “basin” has not been returned. Instead, an elevated wooden crossover walkway with steps was built which is not bike friendly. The detour to town that was built while the restoration was underway is still there but not marked and eroded near the top. There is a canal crossover at grade a little further down river but you’d do well to get some local assistance to direct you to it from town.

To those who've camped before; is there ever an issue with the hiker-biker campsites being full? I am planning a trip for mid/late October and it sounds like there may be a lot of folks on the trail around that time based on the message board, so I was concerned about the possibility of being closed out of the camps. Is that even a thing???

Hi Andrew, we’ve been biking / camping the trail mid to late October for past 30+ years and seldom had to share a campsite. We prefer to camp alone so often if one site is occupied you can simply go another 5 miles or so to the next one. Usually, If the occupants are hospitable, we’ll share a campsite especially if its getting late. On the rare occasion that the occupants don’t seem too friendly we’ll simply push on to the next site. We find that most people biking the trail in October are not camping.

I just finished the trip today. I had camping mates two of the three nights on the trail. However I’ve never seen a “full” camp site.