Hancock

Settled in 1749 and incorporated in 1853, Hancock relied heavily on transportation for its livelihood, first as a stagecoach stop, then as a canal town and finally as a rest stop for truck traffic on Interstates 68 and 70. Hancock is the northernmost large town along the Potomac only two miles from the Pennsylvania border.

The Western Maryland Rail-Trail runs ten miles from Hancock to Big Pool and is part of a nationwide system of rail-trails. Rail-trails are old railway beds that have been paved over to bike paths. The Visitor Center is located along the main street in Hancock and is open Friday through Tuesday, 9 AM-4:30 PM. Call ahead to confirm hours of operation (301-678-5463).