Reply to Trip to Harper's Ferry

My wife and I have done all of the GAP trail in sections. We are looking to do a 30 mile trip to Harper's Ferry this spring. The plan would be to park at a point on the trail, bike to Harper's Ferry, stay the night, then ride back the next day. Are we better off coming from the east or the west? That looks like either Downsville or White Ferry. Any advice on this would be appreciated along with any recommendations about where to stay once we get there.
Thanks.

That's an interesting question. Your 30-mile limit changes my first choice. If the Whites Ferry resumes service before then, one option would be to start there and maybe cross the river on the ferry and then head west to Harpers Ferry which would be around 30 miles. However, I'm not sure where you would overnight park on the Virginia side of the river. You may be able to overnight park at the park on the Maryland side but you should confirm that is ok with someone from that area. This trip would pass through Point of Rocks and Brunswick in route to Harpers Ferry. If you've not been to Brunswick before, I would recommend stopping at the Beans in the Belfry Cafe for a light meal or coffee and a pastry. Its a rather unique setting in that the owner's converted a small, old church into the cafe.

My first choice would be ride east from Williamsport to Harpers Ferry passing through Shepherdstown. However, this is a longer ride of about 37 miles one way. Williamsport offers more options and overnight parking availability than Whites Ferry. But the main reason I would prefer this direction is that Shepherdstown is one of my favorite near-trailside towns. Its a quaint little old town and home of Sherherdstown University. Lots of nice little shops along the main street including, you guessed it, a cafe with coffee, pastries and ice cream. It is a mile or so upgrade ride from the trail across the bridge over the river, past the University and into town but easily done with decent gearing once you get up to the bridge from the trail.

Others may have different thoughts for different reasons. I can't offer any lodging options in Harpers Ferry. I've only overnighted there once in a B&B in town. It was marginal at the time as it was undergoing renovations. I'm not sure it even still exists as that was 3 or 4 years ago. As you probably know, you'll have to carry your bikes and gear up the spiral stairs up to the railroad/pedestrian bridge to get from the trail over the river to Harpers Ferry. I've done it several times but it may not be your cup of tea.

PS: The trail surface improvements from Shepherdstown east to Edwards Ferry make that portion of the C&O Towpath quite nice to ride now.

Thanks Rivnuts. We are very familiar with the GAP, but not the C&O, so this helps a lot.
Rick