NPS Photo / Monica Larcom
National scenic trails in the National Trails System are characterized primarily as footpaths, or foot and equestrian routes. Due to the topography of the PHT corridor and historic transportation facilities, the PHT is evolving as a network in which bicycling is a prominent way to explore the corridor. Below are some links to suggestions for bicycling trips, developed through a project to illustrate the connections between PHT segments and the communities and sites throughout the corridor.
Great Allegheny Passage & Eastern Continental Divide
C & O Canal Towpath & vicinity
Northern Virginia
| Loudoun’s Potomac Heritage |
| Alexandria’s Canal Trail: Bogs, Bluffs & Bays |
| Nature and History in Prince William Forest Park |
Southern Maryland
Northern Neck of Virginia
Plan an overnight or a through-trip
To explore the diversity and breadth of the PHT corridor by bicycle, consider the following:
- begin in the vicinity of George Washington's Birthplace NM on the Northern Neck of Virginia (cabins & camping at Westmoreland SP) and travel to Reedville/Smith Point/Heathsville
- charter a boat for travel to Point Lookout (or elsewhere) in southern Maryland
- ride north for 180 miles or so via an on-road bicycling route (signed in Prince George's Coumty) to Oxon Cove Park, passing Leonardtown, Piscataway Park and many historic sites and state parks
- cross over to Alexandria via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and ride the Mount Vernon Trail north
- cross over the Arlington Memorial Bridge into DC and ride north along the Potomac River into Georgetown;
- ride the 184.5-mile towpath within Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP to Canal Place in Cumberland, MD
- ride 73 miles on the Great Allegheny Passage rail-trail to Ohiopyle, a whitewater destination and trailhead for the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (You can continue on the GAP to Point State Park in Pittsburgh.)
And of course one might consider the reverse and a variety of other options, including a multi-modal tour of the PHT corridor to add some hiking and paddling. Some resources not included above:
- Amtrak Capitol Limited roll-on bicycle service
- Adventure Cycling Association Tidewater Potomac Heritage map set
- a Northern Neck of Virginia "Trip Idea"
- an Arlington Memorial Bridge to Reedville cue sheet from Bike Virginia
Please contact us with additional suggestions.