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Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Pennyfield Lock loop from East Falls Church

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Pennyfield Lock loop from East Falls Church

Hard

2.9

(22)

riders

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Pennyfield Lock loop from East Falls Church

05:29

82.2km

500m

Gravel riding

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

Last updated: April 30, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Seneca Creek State Park

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

7.35 km

View of the Potomac River from the Chain Bridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

One of the best way to cross from Virginia over to the D.C./Maryland side: cycling over the Chain Cross Bridge. Offers fabulous views over the rough part of the Potomac, …

Tip by

14.7 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

21.5 km

Widewater

Lake

22.6 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

23.1 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

23.3 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

23.5 km

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Highlight • Trail

The Great Falls of the Potomac is a place with various rapids and small falls in the Potomac. The place marked here may only be entered on foot. Bicycles and dogs 😜 must stay outside.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

27.8 km

Swains Lock

Highlight • Historical Site

These are hard to come by along the C&O canal and usually hidden. Always nice to know where to get water.

Tip by

32.6 km

Lock 22, aka Pennyfield Lock, was built between 1829 and 1831, and the name came from the misspelling of the Pennifield family name. It has been restored and offers overnight stays to recreate the rustic feeling from that period.

Tip by

35.2 km

Blockhouse Point Conservation Park

Nature Reserve

48.2 km

Dierrsen Wildlife Management Area

Nature Reserve

72.5 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

82.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

60.1 km

10.5 km

3.98 km

3.75 km

2.50 km

1.46 km

Surfaces

53.1 km

17.0 km

7.86 km

4.32 km

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (120 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

Weather

Today

Tuesday 19 May

36°C

22°C

6 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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

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Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Pennyfield Lock loop from East Falls Church

View of the Potomac River from the Chain Bridge

Lock 15 – great view near the Great Falls

Great Falls Park on the C&O Trail

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Swains Lock

Pennyfield Lock

Lock 6, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

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