The Old Carriage Road Trail is a 1.55 mile (2.55 km) trail that
begins at the restroom facility that is near the lower parking lot. This trail
involves walking on level surface with gradual uphill and downhill grades
near its end. The trail follows the historic roadbed used by settlers and
travelers to Matildaville, originally established to support and prosper from
the Patowmack Canal 200 years ago. 
The
Old Carriage Road Trail passes the swamp trail and accesses points to many
other trails in the Park. The trail begins at the restroom facility near the
lower parking lot where the Matildaville Trail also begins. Follow the trail
to the right through the forest. After walking a short distance an abandoned
wagon road can be seen on your left. This road led up to an area where cultivated
fields were maintained as part of the town of Matildaville. The trail levels
out as it passes the beginning of the Swamp Trail on the right. Deer are often
seen in the swamp area to the right while owls and hawks are occasionally
seen perched on the overhanging branches as they hunt prey in the grassy area
to the left of the trail. The small stone masonry structures to the left in
this area are part of the venting system for underground utility lines through
the 
Park.
The trail continues past the Swamp - Ridge Connector Trail to your right (the
Swamp Trail ends on
this trail) and the Matildaville Trail to your left. The trail to the left leads through an abandoned quarry to intersections with the River Trail and the Matildaville Trail. The Carriage Road Trail continues uphill, crossing the outflow from the swamp and passing an area of natural springs on the right where historically horses were watered and cars filled their radiators. It is also said that a moonshine still was operated here in the are a in the early 1900's. The trail follows an uphill grade where remains of the original roadbed are seen on both sides. At the top of the hill the trail intersects with the Ridge Trail and the end of the Matildaville Trail. At this point the Carriage Road Trail starts downhill to its end at Georgetown Pike, at one time a historic road west for settlers. Crossing the road or walking along the shoulder is not recommended. You should retrace your steps to the top of the hill and follow the Carriage Road Trail or access the Matildaville Trail for your return to the Visitor Center.
TRAILS
| River
Trail Patowmack Canal Trail Ridge Trail Old Carriage Road Trail Swamp Trail Difficult Run Trail |
Matildaville
Trail Mine Run Trail Trails to Riverbend Park Visitor Center Overlook 1 and 2 |
Great
Falls In-Depth
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