C & O Canal Towpath

Great Falls, C & O Towpath October 2, 2010 This particular area is known as "Widewater" which indicates a natural wide basin where the barges were able to pass in the canal. Today walking, running, biking and sightseeing and even backpacking can be done on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. There are picnic areas, campsites with facilities such as water and toilets every few miles as well as access to side trails and roads for pick-ups, drop-offs and re-supply along the 185 miles. On a beautiful day you might have to wedge your way between all the other users but I have hiked many times in near solitude and enjoyed many nights camping along the towpath since the mid-1970s.