Washington, D.C.

The C&O Canal Trail & Parkrun

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail is a 184 mile (!) tow path that runs along the Potomac River all the way to Cumberland, MD. Very flat, crushed stone surface. The C&O is accessible from Rock Creek Park, and is also one of the best running options if you are staying in the Georgetown area.  Choose any distance you like. The Closest D.C. start point is at the Georgetown Visitor Center at Wisconsin and M Streets.
The path is mainly on the DC/Maryland (northeast) side. Some good distances, from Georgetown, heading north, paralleling the Clara Burton Parkway (see map):
  • 5.0 miles one way:   Georgetown Visitor Center to Lock 5, just over the Maryland border
  • 10.0 miles one way: Georgetown Visitor Center to Billy Goat Trail C, near Carderock
  • 15.0 miles one way:  Visitor Center to just north of the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Note: A Parkrun happens every Saturday 9am on the path 2 miles north of Georgetown. See our D.C. map for more information.

Essentials
  • Various Options -- See table
  • Closest D.C. start point is at the Georgetown Visitor Center at Wisconsin and M Streets.
  • Closest D.C. start point is at the Georgetown Visitor Center at Wisconsin and M Streets.

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Essentials
  • Various Options -- See table
  • Closest D.C. start point is at the Georgetown Visitor Center at Wisconsin and M Streets.
  • Closest D.C. start point is at the Georgetown Visitor Center at Wisconsin and M Streets.