"CYCLING MARYLAND." Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by cachaseiro

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Travel Guide: 34 reviews and 121 photos

From Washington DC to Cumberland by bicycle.

In september 2006 i cycled from Washington DC to Pittsburgh.
First part of the trip was through Maryland along the Chesapeake and ohio canal.
It's an old canal that was used for transporting cargo back in the wild west days and today it's a national historical park with an excellent hike/bike trail running along the canal all the way from DC to Cumberland.

The national park is 184 miles long and very very narrow, but there is a bike path all the way and primitive campsites along the way, aswell as the option to stay at some of the small towns that you pass.
Pretty much the whole trail is car free though and a real pleasure when you are travelling by bicycle.

I got inspired to do the trip on virtualtourist.

VT member travmad and a fellow biker.

I had a plan to bike some part of either the eastern or southern part of the US as i was going to Baltimore for a party anyway.

Sitting browsing the forums on vt i had a chat with vt member travmad one day who told me that he was planning to cycle along the Chesapeake and ohio canal with a couple of old friends and i was welcome to join them.

This proved to be really great.
Travelling with some local guys was really cool and made my journey a lot more interesting and i made some very good new friends on that trip.

Going through a tunnel along the way.

Last visit to Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park: Sep 2006
Intro Updated May 23, 2012
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Reviews (11)

The view from the hotel. - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

very nice hotel in harpers ferry. Hotels (3)

In Harpers Ferry we stayed at the Hilltop Hotel. It's a very pleasant hotel in an old historic building and you have a... more travel advice

My bike next to the canal. - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Ride your bike. Sports & Outdoors (1)

Cycling the Chesapeake and Ohio canal is the perfect way to see the place. the biketrail is fine even if it's not paved... more travel advice

Holiday Inn, Cumberland. - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Holiday Inn in Cumberland Hotels (3)

In Cumberland we stayed at the Holiday Inn, mainly because one of our travelling buddies had booked it in... more travel advice

One of the tunnels. - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Tunnels. Favorites (5)

Along the canal you have several tunnels. They generally have a good bikepath running through them and if they are long... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
If you need spare parts for your bike.

Things to Do (1)
The locks.

Comments (19)

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canuck68 May 23, 2012 at 8:27 PM

That is a very long but interesting bike ride Claus. How great to have found such a magnificent run made for bikers. Thanks, Diane
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aussirose Mar 31, 2012 at 7:34 PM

A journey like this is always better with friends. Looks like you had a lot of fun Claus :o) Hugs, Ann.
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hunterV Apr 10, 2011 at 12:12 PM

Claus, you made a great trip there! Congratulations! ~
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Andreja86 Mar 3, 2011 at 11:42 AM

Lidt tilfældigt at jeg kom ind på din side. Tager til USA til sommer og skal køre igennem Maryland i bil :)
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glabah May 6, 2010 at 1:05 PM

I've heard of the canal park, and seen photos when they were starting to build the path, but not the completed pathway.
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Myfanwe Nov 8, 2009 at 11:48 AM

Hi Claus, Thanks for visiting my Rhosilli page. I enjoyed reading about your travels along the canal - this looks like a great area.
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KiKitC Sep 22, 2009 at 2:25 AM

What a fabulous tour. Have visited areas along the C&O, but never from bicycle. Happy Trails!
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icunme Aug 29, 2009 at 1:30 AM

Great tour here w/you. I am not surprised that Don was here also.Happy biking, Claus! <(•¿•)>
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Herwig1961 Apr 30, 2009 at 5:13 AM

It looks like you have had a nice bike ride there.Greetings Herwig
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Spacemanspiff Feb 14, 2008 at 2:53 AM

Hiya Claus, I finally got around to viewing your pages from our trip on the C&O. Good tips and photos. Makes me want to plan another trip this summer. Cheers, Chris