Explore the best rated trails in District of Columbia, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Capital Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Park Trails. With more than 14 trails covering 3998 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Rode this on 6/13/24 with a friend, covering 20 miles. Parked at the Ropewalk Pavilion, 4601 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg. Restroom here was clean. Trail is well marked with trail signs except for about 1/2 mile were you are traveling through a neighborhood on the streets. Lots of turns and small hills make it pleasant to ride allowing you to rest some while coasting. Most if the paved trail is only about 6 feet wide so you need to stay on your own side especially at the blind turns. Condition of the asphalt was good although some of the boardwalks were a little rough. This trail takes you past some beautiful scenery in MD and DC. There was a 400 yard section by the Wash Navy Yard where you are supposed to walk your bike.
We parked at lock 38 by Shepardstown. Trail is well maintained and gorgeous. Many bikers, runners and walkers out.Note it is a trash free park.
Very easy to find the trail from any of the nearby red line stops which allows for easy segmenting if you don’t want to do the entire trail. Very runner friendly the entire way. It’s a great resource to have in the middle of the city.
There’s a really nicely developed parking area with facilities and a full museum of the C & O canal in Williamsport, Just south of Hagerstown. The trail is fairly wide and well maintained . However, it is secluded and sparsely populated so if you’re not comfortable with that take note.
The trail is great starting at Cumberland. Pretty smooth and scenic. Not very far in there were quite a few detours as the trail was damaged in many places. I wish there had been more amenities along the trail. The last 40 miles into DC were surprisingly bad, with muddy rough conditions and detours. The trip was memorable and challenging and we were proud to raise money for theplummerhome.org for homeless veterans.
Day1: DC to Williamsport. Day 2: Williamsport to Cumberland. This was an amazing ride with beautiful fall scenery. Trail was well maintained and easy to navigate. It was mostly hard parked gravel with lots of historical sites and great views. Paw Paw tunnel was open. The trail thru tunnel is uneven and wet. Met some great people along the trail. I’ll definitely ride the trail again in the summer.
We took the Amtrak bike train to DC. Had to switch trains in Philly. Between Harrisburg and Philly we had to remove the front wheel and hang the bike. From Philly to DC they were stored in the baggage car and didn't require tire removal. The ride through DC was fantastic and much easier than we expected. The trail got a little confusing to get out of town but once we did we found the trail in much better condition then we expected. We stayed along the way in a hotel and a lock house. My favorite part was the area around the pawpaw tunnel but the trail was in very poor condition in spots. At one point when I tried to go my rear wheel would just spin and the bike wouldn't move. Very mucky and muddy. I'm sure it all depends on the amount of rain they had recently. It completed the ride from Pittsburgh to DC for me. I had ridden the GAP trail about 6 years prior. The only reason I didn't give it a five star rating is because of the mud in some areas. Overall it was great.
We rode a 10 mile section of trail north of the Williamsport visitors center. Sunny day, high 60’s. It was the day after a 30 minute rain storm. Trees were in full bloom. Why 2 stars when it could be a 5? The trail needs a good layer of hard packed stone. Any rain will turn many spots into mud, as we encountered. The trail rides along the Potomac River. You could just about see otherwise the trail is under cover. To make it a 5, make sure the trail has dried out and the leaves have not bloomed or the have already dropped. It would sure be a 5.
If you are a history buff, esp. of the civil war, this trail is a must, and I highly recommend making Antietam Battlefield part of your trail ride. The surface is bumpy in spots, but overall, a very enjoyable ride and something to be experienced, esp. seeing Washington DC magically appear at the end of a long journey from Cumberland, MD to DC. Favorite spots were the boardwalks bordering the Potomac River and Harper's Ferry, be sure to stop at HF see the surrounding start of the Shenandoah Valley and Harper's Ferry from the bridge connecting the trail to HF.
The trail is more like 8 miles one-way from Takoma Park to Union Station. The on-street portions are poorly marked, so expect to wander a bit. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to find your way around town. Lettered streets are East-West, numbered North-South, state names are diagonal avenues.
Found this trail geocaching. It’s paved and beautiful view of a part of the city I had not seen.
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