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The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage

Directions to Hillside Hotel, Knoxville, MD


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East Tennessee Sunshine from Clinton, TN on 9/24/2020 4:33:57 PM:
We needed directions from the C&O Canal towpath, but when we called the hotel, they had no idea regarding any bicycle path I might be speaking of and could not provide directions. Google Maps was no help because it thought we were on a road instead of our actual location on the towpath. Finally, we were able to flag down a local biker who told us the way. To access this hotel from the C&O Canal Towpath or AT, get off the trail at mile marker 58, cross the train tracks, and take the left-most road 1.2 miles uphill to this hotel. There is a good liquor store right next door to the hotel, the Guide House Restaurant across the street, and a gas station next to the restaurant that also has limited hot food options. We were able to bring our bicycles into the room with us.

The motel was pretty run down. Next time, I think I'd check the lodging options in Brunswick.


 
Willy from Alexandria on 9/24/2020 7:49:19 PM:
Sorry to hear of your issues regarding the Hillside Hotel. The place isn't rundown, but remember that the Hillside was built just after WW2. Places built later are made with the lessons learned from previous establishments.

 
John W. from Pittsburgh,PA on 9/25/2020 10:00:07 PM:
East Tennessee Sunshine - If I had to guess, it’s because although Knoxville, MD appears to be right next to the trail, it’s not really an obvious “trail town” like many others and, as you’ve described, a pain to get to. I am surprised the hotel didn’t know about the C&O as I would guess a decent portion of their business comes from cyclists.

Many people were considering the Hillside as an alternative hotel destination while the pedestrian bridge at Harpers Ferry was out until recently.

John

 
East Tennessee Sunshine from Clinton, TN on 9/26/2020 8:25:56 PM:
My main point was to let people know how to find the motel, since we had trouble. The Hillside Hotel is now a Knights Inn, and I don't think the attention to detail is probably the same as when the motel was privately owned. I would stay here again if the alternative was to schlep our gear across the bridge to Harpers Ferry.