C&O Canal Towpath
Included in these categories:
5 DaySelf-Guided Tour
What’s included
For Double Occupancy |
For Solo Riders |
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Tour and Shuttle |
$930 per person |
$1,720 per person |
Tour, Shuttle and Luggage Transfer |
$1,285 per person |
$2,375 per person |
$295 off if not taking a return shuttle.
10% discount for groups of 6 or more (requiring at least 3 double occupancy rooms).
Our C&O bike tours utilize the best in local B&Bs to ensure a comfortable and refreshing stay each night. Most B&Bs and hotels are located right next to or within easy biking distance of the trail (shuttling is included for the Town Hill B&B).
We choose only rooms with private bathrooms, and most have one queen bed. Some B&Bs offer rooms with two separate beds, and some have suites which allow up to 3 guests (typically these rooms have a queen and single bed or air mattress).
A one-way shuttle between D.C. (the Thompson Boat Center where Mile Marker 0 is located) and Cumberland is included in all tours, but can be removed. The drive time is approximately 2.5 hours barring unusual traffic. Shuttles commonly run at 2 p.m. or 11 a.m. but this can be altered. Talk with your trip coordinator when booking about your scheduling and location needs.
Daily luggage shuttling can be included on this tour. Riders not returning to Cumberland must have a secure location in D.C. for luggage to be dropped off (such as a hotel).
Luggage must be ready each day by 9 a.m. and is transferred to your next overnight location by 4 p.m. We request each rider bring one carry-on sized piece (approximately) and one smaller, personal bag. Luggage should weigh no more than 40 lbs per person. Odd-sized and/or bulky pieces such as bike stands, coolers, or bike racks are not permitted.
Riders with luggage not ready on time or significantly overweight or oversized will be charged an added fee.
Most breakfasts are included in our C&O tours (all included meals will be noted on your tour quote). For non-included meals we provide daily suggestions and a list of recommended restaurants. Those with significant dietary restrictions, please advise us at the time of booking so that we can communicate this to your B&B correctly.
In smaller towns, some restaurants will close one day a week and often that will be on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday.
Vegetarian and vegan options are relatively accessible along the trail and can be accommodated by all B&Bs we book. The exception is between Cumberland and Hancock, where we will advise riders to pack food from Cumberland for meals other than breakfast.
All riders will receive access to our Ride with GPS Trip Experience created just for this itinerary. You do not need to have a personal account to use the premium features included. The Experience provides you with a daily itinerary, including where to eat each day, trail highlights, and any specific instructions, all easily accessed on your phone.
It also includes digital mapping with offline voice cues and other premium features. Mapping can be downloaded for use on Garmin and other devices, as well.
Itinerary
Riding out of Canal Place in Cumberland, you begin your tour on the C&O Canal Towpath. The towpath was a historic engineering marvel, and you’ll see why as you ride its 185 length. The Paw Paw Tunnel is a particular highlight of your ride today (be sure to have a light) and perfect for photos ops. Upon reaching the Fifteenmile Creek Recreation Area you’ll take the turn up the road to Bill’s Place and stop for dinner. Call your B&B to arrange for your shuttle ride up the hill and learn why Town Hill B&B is a piece of National Road history and unbeatable kitschy fun!
Meals: On Own
Overnight: Little Orleans
After a shuttle back down the hill to the towpath, you can choose to ride the C&O all day or take a break on the paved Maryland Scenic Rail Trail which parallels the towpath just west of Hancock and then beyond to Fort Frederick. Stop in the town of Hancock for lunch. For history enthusiasts a stop at the reconstructed 18th century Fort Frederick may be in the cards. End your day in the canal town of Williamsport.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Williamsport
After breakfast in Williamsport it’s back onto the C&O and more riding. The Big Slackwater section (around MM 85) is unique on the towpath as you ride on a cantilevered concrete path above the Potomac River. You can ride on water! Entering the heart of Civil War history, end the day in Shepherdstown, Wv., just across the Potomac from Sharpsburg, Va. and Antietam National Battlefield. Civil War buffs will want to take a half-day to visit the battlefield – biking is allowed in the park.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Shepherdstown
*Due to the closure of the Whites Ferry, access to lodging in Leesburg, Va., is not practical. This allows for a shortened day to visit sites along the trail including Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry, followed by a final push into DC.
Shepherdstown may be one of the cutest college small-towns in the US and has some tasty cafes and bakeries, plus great boutiques and book stores. You may find it hard to leave! The C&O Towpath today continues into Civil War country and you’ll pass by multiple historic markers and structures – including several reconstructed aqueducts which were built for the canal. At MM 60.8 you’ll want to take a trail break and walk over to Harpers Ferry, Wv. The Lower Town is part National Park Service exhibit, part art shops and boutiques, and all charm. It’s also a perfect place to find lunch.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Brunswick
After breakfast, begin your last day of riding on the C&O Canal Towpath. The trail here is well traveled and highlights include Great Falls Park (a good lunch stop), Georgetown, and Washington, D.C.! Your destination is Mile Marker 0 (we provide mapping and text since it can be a tricky marker to find) and the end of an incredible journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Spend the night in Washington, D.C. before meeting your return shuttle, if included.
Post-Trip Option: Spend an extra day or two in D.C. and explore the many bike trails that follow the Potomac, bike around the National Mall, visit some museums, or even take the Mount Vernon Trail all the way to Alexandria and George Washington’s Mt Vernon plantation.
Riding the C&O Canal Towpath
C&O Canal Towpath tours are offered between April and October. This schedule is dictated by weather and trail conditions. Most riders choose to ride between May and October.
Spring on the C&O is a wonderful way to restart your cycling season. April and the start of May can have periods of rain followed by periods of gorgeous spring sunshine. Spring flowers are found all along the trail and add a special color to your trip.
Summer is ideal for riders who love the long days, sunny and dry weather. Long sunny days allow for full days of biking, side trips, and socializing.
September and October is peak season on the trail – groups should book trips at least 9 months in advance when possible. Fall foliage occurs generally in mid to late October, although exact dates do vary each year.
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A deposit is required to secure your reservation; amount is based on the total price of your trip. |
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Total Trip Cost |
Deposit |
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Up to $500 |
$300 |
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$501-$1,500 |
$600 |
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$1,501-$2,500 |
$800 |
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$2,501-$3,500 |
$1,000 |
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$3,501 and above |
30% of trip cost
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Excepting the listed cancellation fees, all payments for travel services not provided to the traveler shall be refunded; this does not include any non-refundable charges.
Applicable vendor fees – Some vendors charge a percentage of their cost upon cancellation, the amount often determined by how early the cancellation is made. Any non-refundable charges will be assessed if a trip is cancelled IN ADDITION to our cancellation fee outlined below.
Cancellation fees
UP TO 90 DAYS prior to departure –15% of trip cost; plus any applicable vendor fees.
90-21 DAYS prior to departure – 30% of trip cost; plus any applicable vendor fees.
Within 3 WEEKS of departure – 50% of trip cost; plus any applicable vendor fees.
Cancellations can be made at any time; if you must cancel your trip, you must do so in writing or via email.
Our full list of terms and conditions can be found here – https://www.nobleinventionbiketouring.com/refund_returns/
Many riders book 4-8 months in advance, that said, you’ll have the best chance of booking the dates and rooms you need the earlier you book – so we recommend 8-10 months in advance. Groups requiring more than two rooms are also best served to book well in advance to insure availability.
We require at least 2-3 weeks prior to start date to book a trip.
Most afternoon shuttles leave at 2 p.m., while most morning shuttles leave at 10 a.m. Day 1 shuttles can leave as early as 8 a.m. In most cases the shuttle will be assigned only to your group, so some flexibility with times is possible.
We can book a room for you in Cumberland (Fairfield Inn), which is right along the trail and near long-term parking. We do not book rooms in DC, but there are many options to choose from.
Our trail phone is answered daily between 7:30am-7:30pm at 844-424-5347. We can be reached via voice or text. In the case of a medical emergency riders should always call or text 911 first.
Have a question about this tour?
Our professional team is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our tours.
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