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Capital Crescent Trail:
District of Columbia, Maryland
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Description:
The 11-mile Capital Crescent Trail follows the route of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Georgetown Branch rail line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It begins in downtown Silver Spring east of the Rock Creek Trestle and curves westward and south through Maryland and into Washington, DC, to end in the heart of historic Georgetown. Someday, the section between downtown Silver Spring and Bethesda, Maryland, will be paved and officially become part of the Capital Crescent, but until then this section is actually called the Georgetown Branch Trail. The asphalt section of the trail connects Georgetown to Bethesda. In Georgetown, the trail travels with the Potomac River on one side and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park towpath on the other side. From the trail, you can watch the rowing crews of Georgetown University at practice or possibly jog past a senator. Deer, foxes, rabbits, many species of birds, and, of course, the three colors of ubiquitous Washington, DC, squirrels-white, grey, and black-also share the trail. In Georgetown near Thompsons Boat Center and in west Silver Spring at Jones Mill Road, the trail connects to Rock Creek Park, a densely forested area that closes its roads to car traffic on the weekend and becomes a playground for non-motorized uses. The loop of the Capital Crescent and Rock Creek Park totals 22 miles and takes you past the National Zoological Park and the Kennedy Center. In Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Georgetown, there are a number of places just off the trail to have a meal or a cup of coffee, as well as a large number of shops.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Silver Spring terminus from Washington's Capital Beltway (Interstate 495), take the Georgia Ave. exit and head south toward Silver Spring. Turn right on Colesville Road toward the Metro station. At the first light, turn right onto Second Ave. The Georgetown Branch Trail starts at this intersection. To start in Bethesda, take the Capital Beltway to the MD Route 355 (Wisconsin Ave.) exit and head south toward Bethesda. In downtown Bethesda, turn right onto Bethesda Ave. The trail crosses Bethesda Ave. at Woodmont Ave., just one block west of Wisconsin Ave. To begin in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC, go south on Wisconsin Ave. to its end under the Whitehurst Freeway and turn right onto Water Street. The trail begins at the end of Water Street. Street parking is usually available along Water Street on weekends.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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"August 20, 2007 Ride"
By Terry Cochran on October 30, 2007
"This was a nice trail to ride. I was surprised at the tranquility of the trail, given the location within a higly populated metropolitan area. Parking could be an issue, espescially if you plan to ride on a week day. We parked in muli-level parking garage (lot #57) in Bethel Maryland @ $0.50 per hour for long term parking (3 hours or more). The parking is free on weekends and should be more available as you aren't competing with the office workers for spaces."
Trail Markings & Accessibility
By James Ebberts on December 02, 2002
"You can access the trail near the 3.5 mile mark at a parking area next to a movie theatre and the Barnes Noble book store in downtown Bethesda, MD. I did not know this was the Capital Crescent Trail but I saw the description and only walked a short distance as I was not down from Hagerstown for exercise.

From what I saw, I really liked the signs telling people to stay to their right; however, any dirt and gravel off of the trail is a disaster if people are not listening to the rules, which they often are not.

But the markings one does not see generally on many trails of staying to the right. Many people are returning to Rails to Trails and the like at communities because walking events/races for walkers and runners are diminishing fast because of some lack of interest but mostly because of politics. I am a lifelong exerciser. I used to run but I cannot not do that anymore so I now walk or bike."
Trail Photo
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC (Georgetown)
Counties: Montgomery, Washington
Trail Length: 11 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel
Trail Activities: Walk, Bicycle, Cross Country Ski, Inline Skates, Mountain Bicycle, Fishing, Wheelchair

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic rail-trails in RTC's Mid-Atlantic Guidebook.
Trail of the Month: February 2006