The C&O Canal Bicycling Guide

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This section contains the beautiful Monocacy Aqueduct, a 500 foot, seven arch, stone bridge used to carry the canal over the Monocacy River. The aqueduct took 4 years to build and was completed in 1833. Next to the tunnel at Paw-Paw (mile 155), is this probably the second most impressive structure on the canal. In the 1970s, the Park service erected temporary exo-skeleton supports around the aqueduct due to damage caused by repeated flooding. In 2005, aqueduct repairs were finally completed, and so the exo-skeleton has been removed.

The only other point of interest that you "might" see in this section is the Dickerson power plant (mile 41). In 1992, a training course was built in the power plant's warm water discharge spillway for the US Olympic Kayak Team. You might be able to see it through the chain-link gate at the south side of the complex.

Trail conditions are historically poor in the mile or two prior to the town of Point-of-Rocks, Maryland. Expect to navigate around many mud holes in this section. The rest of the path is typically in good shape.

Access to the town of Point-of-Rocks is by way of a small, wooden, one-lane bridge over the canal bed. The town is mainly a collection of run down homes. However, there are two stores/deli's about a block off the towpath. This makes the town a good lunch/re-supply stop.

Connecting Rides: Here are some short rides that make use of the towpath along this section.

Western Montgomery Loop - 23 Miles

Waterford Double Cross - 34 Miles

Sugarloaf Challenge - 50 Miles

Just after the wooden bridge, the C&O Canal passes through the Catoctin Mountain Range. During the canal construction, the B&O Railroad mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge for the narrow right-of-way through this pass. As a result, the railroad was forced to tunnel through the mountain. After the canal failed, the railroad built a second track in the abandoned canal bed. However, the towpath is still intact through the pass.

Access Points from westbound Route 28:

39.6: Dickerson Regional Park - make left turn onto Martinsburg Rdat yellow flashing light. Park is on the right after about 2 miles (at bottom of long hill)
42.1: Monocacy Aqueduct - make left turn onto Mouth of Monocacy Rd (about 1 mile past Dickerson, MD).
44.6: Nolands Ferry - (near Tuscarora, MD). Easy access from Route 28 via Noland Road or New Design Road.

Access Points from Route 15:

48.2: Point of Rocks, MD - located right on the north side of the Potomac River Bridge, at the intersection with Route 28. After turning off Route 15, make immediate right turn and follow short road behind homes to the canal.

Towpath Map - Mile 40 thru 50

Mile	Name	Info
39.8	Dickerson Conservation Park (map)	Access from Martinsburg Rd.				X
41.6	Dickerson Power Plant	US Olympic Kayak Team trains in spillway next to towpath.
42.1	Monocacy Aqueduct	An Endangered US Historic Site				X
42.4	Indian Flats H/B	0.3 miles from vehicle access at mile 42.1		X	X
44.6	Nolands Ferry	Boat Ramp and Picnic Area. Access from New Design Road.				X
47.6	Calico Rocks H/B	0.8 miles from vehicle access at mile 48.2 Located near busy railroad. Subject to noise.		X	X
48.2	Point of Rocks, MD	Route 15 Bridge ahead provides bike access to Virginia				X
48.2	B & S Minimart (map)	Located 0.1 miles away from river, just downstream from Route 15 bridge. Serves fried chicken, subs, hot dogs, ice cream.	X
50.3	Bald Eagle Island H/B	0.5 miles from vehicle access at mile 50.8 Located near busy railroad. Subject to noise.		X	X
50.8	Lock 29	Access from Lander Road				X

Bike Washington’s

C&O Canal Bicycling Guide

Mile 40 thru 50