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United States
Maryland
Montgomery County
Rockville

Smithsonian Castle – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Rockville

Routes
United States
Maryland
Montgomery County
Rockville

Smithsonian Castle – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Rockville

Hard

4.5

(3809)

10,484

riders

Smithsonian Castle – Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls loop from Rockville

07:56

140km

510m

Gravel riding

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

Last updated: November 9, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 27.7 km for 68 m

Waypoints

A

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

11.1 km

Cabin John Stream Valley Park

Nature Reserve

2

20.0 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

3

27.4 km

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

This is a paved path across the bridge with metal railings separating pedestrians/cyclists from vehicular traffic. It feels safe but it can be a little loud. The views are beautiful.

Tip by

4

29.4 km

View of the Georgetown Waterfront

Highlight • Viewpoint

The cycle path leading here offers magnificent views of the city at any time of the day or night almost along its entire length.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5

33.1 km

Smithsonian Castle

Highlight • Monument

The Smithsonian Castle's construction was fininshed in 1855. And as visitors enter through the National Mall entrance they pass the crypt of James Smithson, who is the institution's founder.

It …

Tip by

6

43.7 km

Crossing Over the C&O Canal

Highlight • Bridge

It's just a shame that cycling is only allowed on the paved road. The many earthy trails to the right and left of the road are very tempting for a mountain biker. Unfortunately explicitly forbidden.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

53.9 km

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Lake

58.4 km

Widewater

Lake

9

60.1 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

10

60.4 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

70.9 km

Dierrsen Wildlife Management Area

Nature Reserve

95.3 km

Ruins

Ruins

13

121 km

Pennyfield Lock

Highlight • Monument

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

B

140 km

End point

Train Station

Loading

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

90.6 km

30.5 km

11.0 km

3.70 km

3.52 km

364 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

63.1 km

33.5 km

29.8 km

12.4 km

515 m

412 m

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Elevation

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

Highest point (150 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Today

Monday 9 November

17°C

6°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Expect light wind and shifting conditions.

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

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