Capital Crescent Trail

The 11-mile Capital Crescent Trail follows the route of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's Georgetown Branch rail line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It begins in Silver Spring, Maryland, east of the Rock Creek Trestle and curves westward and south through Maryland into Washington, D.C., to end in the heart of historic Georgetown.

For the 7 miles between Georgetown and Bethesda, the Capital Crescent Trail is paved, and much of it includes an adjacent gravel trail for joggers. Between Bethesda and Lyttonsville (3 miles), the trail is surfaced with crushed stone; this segment is called the Georgetown Branch. From Lyttonsville the Georgetown Branch Trail continues for 2 miles as an on-road bike route into downtown Silver Spring. Future plans call for creating a hard surface alongside the proposed Purple Line light rail between Bethesda and downtown Silver Spring, where the Capital Crescent will connect to the Metropolitan 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 the three different color phases of ubiquitous local 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 weekends 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.

Silver Spring terminus: From I-495 (Washington's Capital Beltway) take the Georgia Ave. exit (SR 97) and head south toward Silver Spring. Turn right on Colesville Road toward the Silver Spring Metro station. At the first light, turn right onto Second Ave. The Georgetown Branch segment of the Capital Crescent starts at this intersection.

Bethesda trailhead: Take I-495to the Wisconsin Ave. (SR 355) 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.

Georgetown terminus: 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.