Point of Interest Near Trail **WORTH THE TIME**

I'm looking for advise to find out if historic sites like Antietam and Harpers Ferry or any others along the way are worth scheduling extra time to stop and explore.

Not looking for someplace "this is interesting," but more along the lines of "This is very worth taking time to see" types of places.

Good example -- Antietam: I read up on it and although a Nat'l Park, I'm not convinced seeing the Cemetery and Dunker Church are well worth the time to stop. If someone advised me that it was "Way cool" then I'd build in the time to stop.

Many thanks in advance! (I'll be riding in late July/Aug)

Others on here are more well versed with local history but a few things I consider “can’t miss” are the following.

Great Falls just outside DC. The water power here is impressive here compared to the rest of the calm Potomac and you’re so close to it you can feel it rumble.

Swim at Ohiopyle State Park. If it’s hot, I always try to get down from the trail and take a swim (or at least soak my feet). You’ll know where to go, as there will be hundreds of people in the Youghiogheny River below you on the GAP trail. You can change your gear in the bathrooms at the Laurel Highlands Information booth after you cross the bridge, you can’t miss it.

Big Savage Overlook. After you exit the big savage tunnel, you get an amazing view of the mountains on your left. This is personally my favorite view on the trail. There are benches to sit and relax. Mason Dixon line is shortly after.

Train depot at Frostburg. Park your bike at the trailhead and walk up the switchbacks to a well preserved train station. There’s also a “Turn Table” where the engines turn around. The Western Maryland Scenic Railway departs from here if your lucky to see it.

From Pittsburgh to McKeesport, note the industrial-ness of what’s around you. Lots of old steel mills and note all of the railroads you be criss-crossing or riding parallel to. I love the rumble of the trains (though not so much the rooting of the horns!).

@John W.
Awesome. All good to know. Remember, I have done the GAP and agree that each of your points of interest are great. I didn't know about the option at Ohiopyle, but I have rafted the Yough! It sounds like a worthwhile stop. Nor did I know about Frostburg and the train depot and turntable. Interesting, because I took a fairly long break at the Trailhead last year.

Same with the Big Savage Tunnel -- it truly is a spectacular view and I had the perfect day last year! Besides, you are now pretty much on a downhill roll into Cumberland. It surprised me that it wasn't a coasting downhill, but pretty much effortless peddling all the way.

Great Falls also looks like a place to take in. Of course, you are talking with a guy who has Niagara Falls in his backyard! LOL You mentioned the falls before and I researched and saw pictures. Very worthwhile I am sure.

>> Another question from my other post about my C&O trip. You mentioned using the WMRT. I downloaded the Trip Planner here and selected campgrounds as follows:

Little Orleans (Fifteen Mile Creek)
Williamsport (Opequon Junction Campsite)
Dickerson (Marble Quarry Campsite)

Each of these are listed as On The Trail. Will I still be able to reach them if I am on the WMRT? I really haven't researched the actual WMRT yet, so apologies if this is rather straightforward. [FYI: I planned a rather short 40 mile day after Little Orleans because of the Paw Paw tunnel detour. If things go well, I may adjust camping places as I travel.]

Thanks again for the good advise!

WNYBubba: Oh wow, you’ve rafted the Yough so you’re familiar with that area! Great swimming river, cool and refreshing.

Your first opportunity to get on the WMRT will be at Fifteen Mile Creek/Little Orleans. So you can start your day on the pavement! This is Mile 140.9 of the C&O.

Look for Bills Place/High Germany Rd. area on the map and the WMRT runs over High Germany Rd. You can take the trail through to Hancock. As your riding, look down the embankment to your right and you will sometimes see (although not always), the C&O Canal below you. The two trails are really that close.

After Hancock, the trail runs for another 9 miles and counts down to its own Mile 0. After you reach Mile Post 1 of the WMRT, be on the lookout for Ernstville Rd. When you see it, take a right off of the trail and onto the road and then look for the dirt path down to the C&O. If you look at Google maps and turn on the Biking mode, you’ll see this connection. This puts you back on the C&O at approx. Mile 114.

Opequan Junction is mile 90.9 so you’ve got 24 or so miles to get there on the C&O.

To answer your question, you’ll be able to reach your campsites no problem, you’ve just taken a parallel route for part of the day (the first 26-27 miles).

Buddy Lou’s restaurant in Hancock is highly rated by traveling cyclists if you’re hungry, definitely a great place to eat.

John

For information there is a fee at the Little Orleans and 15-Mile Creek campgrounds. However, just down the towpath is the Indigo Neck hiker/biker trailside free camp site which still allows good access to the WMRT to continue on to Hancock. (PS: If you find any loose derailleur parts at Indigo Neck they may be mine having lost some in trying to repair my rear derailleur there one evening after a branch jumped up into it and bending it to shreds. :-)

Stop and see Jerry Heil at Taylor’s Landing Rd, near Sharpsburg.
Cool dude.. fair prices of water and drinks.
Wood worker, motorcyclist, general all around good guy.
He’s got a cool little store there right next to the trail and loves to chat!