C&O Canal Towpath

Many people refer to the towpath, but what is it exactly? The towpath is the dirt and stone path that runs 184.5 miles along the C&O Canal, where visitors can walk, run, or bike the distance between Georgetown and Cumberland, MD. It was originally built for the canal mules to walk beside the canal as they “towed” the canal boats through the waterway. Today, it is a popular recreational trail.

The towpath is highlighted below in blue or you can click here to see a more detailed map. You can visit our Plan Your Visit website to learn more about the C&O Canal National Historical Park and the many access points to the Park and the towpath.