RoutesPlannerFeaturesUpdates
App
Login or Signup
Get the App
Login or Signup
Login or Signup
Routes
United States
District Of Columbia

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Dupont Circle

Routes
United States
District Of Columbia

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Dupont Circle

Moderate

3.5

(23)

77

riders

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Dupont Circle

03:00

48.5km

170m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 3.39 km for 68 m

After 24.5 km for 52 m

Waypoints

A

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions
1

3.77 km

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

This is a paved path across the bridge with metal railings separating pedestrians/cyclists from vehicular traffic. It feels safe but it can be a little loud. The views are beautiful.

Tip by

2

4.19 km

Potomac River

Highlight • River

The Potomac River, stretching 405 miles from the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia to Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, ranks as the fourth-largest river on the East Coast. Swimming is prohibited in …

Tip by

18.5 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

4

20.8 km

Great Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

Enjoy easy access to the Great Falls, a popular destination for photographers, hikers, and expert kayakers. Though not exceptionally tall, the falls surge with force as the Potomac River carves through ancient, metamorphic rock.

Tip by

5

24.7 km

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Highlight • River

Great Falls has a scenic Horseshoe Bend where the river curves in a horseshoe shape around a rocky outcrop. It's a nice spot to stop for photos on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail.

Tip by

6

24.9 km

Great Falls Park on the C&O Trail

Highlight • Waterfall

Located at mile 14.3 on the C&O Canal Towpath in Potomac, Maryland, Great Falls Park is a must-visit highlight for hikers, cyclists, and history buffs alike. A short boardwalk leads …

Tip by

7

25.3 km

Lock 15 – great view near the Great Falls

Highlight • Viewpoint

Not too bumpy or overcrowded, but do expect to find people and cyclists on the path!

Tip by

26.4 km

Widewater

Lake

9

38.3 km

Lock 6, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Highlight • Monument

One of the locks (#6 of 75) on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. These should ensure the shipping traffic between Cumberland and Washington to transport coal.
The lock keeper's houses …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

10

41.2 km

Crossing Over the C&O Canal

Highlight • Bridge

It's just a shame that cycling is only allowed on the paved road. The many earthy trails to the right and left of the road are very tempting for a mountain biker. Unfortunately explicitly forbidden.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

B

48.5 km

End point

Train Station

Loading

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

33.8 km

9.84 km

3.60 km

805 m

368 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

19.3 km

16.4 km

10.6 km

1.29 km

705 m

< 100 m

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Elevation

Elevation
Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Weather

Powered by Foreca

Today

Saturday 10 October

22°C

10°C

31 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

guide_signup

Want to know more?

Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.

Sign up for free

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

NavigateSend to Phone
Save
Edit route
Download GPX
Move start point
Print
Share
Embed on a website
Report an Issue
Report restricted access

Nearby routes

Moderate

5.0

113

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Dupont Circle

03:00h

48.5km

170m

Moderate

4.8

108

Korean War Veterans Memorial – World War II Memorial loop from Potomac

03:06h

50.8km

190m

Moderate

35

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Pennyfield Lock loop from Congressional Country Club

02:45h

46.3km

170m

Moderate

57

Francis Scott Key Bridge – Rock Creek Trail loop from Cabin John

02:01h

33.3km

180m

Moderate

9

Pennyfield Lock – Black Rock Mill loop from Pennyfield Lock Neighborhood Conservation Area

03:36h

41.7km

350m

Moderate

5.0

27

Swains Lock – Pennyfield Lock loop from Congressional Country Club

04:01h

70.5km

220m

Moderate

4.3

21

Swains Lock – Pennyfield Lock loop from Potomac

02:26h

39.5km

130m

Moderate

5.0

18

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Swains Lock loop from Cabin John

01:58h

34.3km

210m

Easy

5.0

15

Great Falls – Billy Goat Trail Section C loop from Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

01:27h

23.2km

120m

Hard

4.0

13

U.S. Capitol – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Rockville

08:01h

141km

530m

Moderate

3.0

28

Herndon Caboose Park – Green Lizard Cycling, Herndon loop from Reston Town Center

01:50h

35.7km

190m

Moderate

15

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park loop from Van Ness–UDC

03:50h

68.1km

450m

Explore
RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesRedeem a voucherHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepackingSitemap
B2B
PartnersConnectEmbed routes
Company
PressWhat's NewPioneersProduct UpdatesAmbassadorsAdventure HubCareers
Community
Help GuidesSupportGPX Merge ToolGPX Route VideoHazard AssessmentLive TrackingExperiencesGroups
Download the app
Follow Us on Socials

© komoot GmbH

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Community guidelines
Vulnerability disclosure program
Imprint
Information for law enforcement