Our bike tour provides about 16 miles of trail riding roundtrip, allowing you plenty of time to explore the many attractions the trail connects along the way. You’ll be riding right in the heart of Washington, D.C., pedaling through Rock Creek Park (a massive natural oasis for the city), skirting around the National Zoo and traveling near historical homes that can be toured. Our route forms a V shape with its centerpoint in the charming and historical neighborhood of Georgetown and connects two trails, the Rock Creek Park Trail and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, with an option for hopping on a third, the Capital Crescent Trail.
Begin your journey in northwest Washington at the trail parking lot near the intersection of Beach Drive NW and Broad Branch Road NW; a yellow “Bike Xing” sign marks the spot. If you’re taking public transportation, the closet Metro stop is Van Ness Station, which is on the Red Line and one mile from the trailhead. If you don’t have a bike, you can do this tour in reverse, renting a bike from Fletcher’s Boathouse in the Palisades neighborhood of D.C.
This starting location is a stone’s throw from one of D.C.’s hidden gems: the Hillwood Estate, the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, whose parents founded the Post cereal empire. The home serves as a museum, showcasing extensive collections of Russian and French art, and the grounds feature landscaped gardens.
From the trailhead, the trail meanders south through the woodlands of Rock Creek Park and, in some sections, you’ll be riding along the eponymous Rock Creek. In about a mile, you’ll begin tracing the perimeter of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. This free attraction is home to 1,500 animals and definitely worth exploring if you have time; at its entrances, the zoo has bike racks at which to lock up since bicycles are not permitted on the grounds.
Just over a mile and a half south of the zoo, you’ll be in close proximately to two more historical homes: Tudor Place, which was the home of descendants of George Washington, and Dumbarton House, a Federal-style building circa 1800. Short on-road excursions along residential streets can take you from the trail to the homes, both of which are on Q Street.
A half mile south of Q Street, you’ll make your connection to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, better known as simply the C&O Canal Towpath. Though we’ll only utilize part of its route for this bike tour, the trail stretches 184.5 miles all the way to Cumberland, Maryland, where it connects with the Great Allegheny Passage, itself spanning 150 miles and reaching Pittsburgh. The C&O features numerous locks, aqueducts and other historical structures; for more details visit the National Park Service’s website.
If you’re ready for lunch, a block north of the towpath is M Street, the main thoroughfare through Georgetown, where you’ll find no shortage of restaurant options. If you’re in the mood for Italian, try il Canale or Filomena; for American dishes, Old Glory BBQ or Clyde’s; and, for sushi and Japanese cuisine, there’s Bluefin.
Alternatively, if you want to get a closer look at the Potomac River, which divides D.C. from Virginia, continue traveling south on the Rock Creek Park Trail just a tenth of a mile farther; under the Whitehurst Freeway, a spur trail heads west for about a block to a connection with the paved Capital Crescent Trail. The rail-trail’s passage through Georgetown Waterfront Park will give you nice views of the river. You could turn around here and head back to your starting point, or continue on the Capital Crescent, which goes for another 11 miles in a C shape, crossing into Maryland and traveling through Bethesda and on to Silver Spring.
If you remained on the C&O Canal Towpath, you’ll pedal west on the crushed-stone trail. For the most part, you will be riding below street level with the vibrant sounds of the city above you. Soon, you’ll be closely paralleling the Capital Crescent Trail, but you may not realize it at first with the dense tree cover between them.
About 3 miles into your journey on the towpath, you’ll reach Fletcher’s Cove, where you can check out the historical boathouse, which has been in operation since the 1850s. If you want to get out on the water, the boathouse rents kayaks, canoes and rowboats. The Abner Cloud House, built by a miller in 1801, is also located here. Once you’ve explored the area and had a rest, it’s time to turn around and head back to your starting point, catching any attractions you missed along the way.
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Georgetown's picturesque park along the Potomac River offers fun features like a labyrinth, fountain rain gardens and pollinator gardens.
Georgetown's picturesque park along the Potomac River offers fun features like a labyrinth, fountain rain gardens and pollinator gardens.
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Built in the early 1800s by a miller, this house is the oldest structure on the C&O Canal.
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Situated in the D.C.'s Rock Creek Park, the 163-acre zoo is home to 1,500 animals.
Situated in the D.C.'s Rock Creek Park, the 163-acre zoo is home to 1,500 animals.
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This Federal-style building (circa 1800) helps educate the public about life in the city during the countries early years.
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This elegant home belonged to descendants of George Washington.
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This former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, whose parents founded the Post cereal empire, serves as a museum, showcasing extensive collections of Russian and French art. Its grounds also feature...
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Across more than 1,700 acres, this wooded park provides much needed green space in the heart of the city. It's traversed with a bike path and crisscrossed with hiking trails.
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If you're in D.C. to ride trails, you can't get much closer than The Georgetown House, a boutique hotel located on the C&O Canal Towpath.
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Decorated with an early 1960s vibe, this hotel is tucked between two busy shopping and dining meccas just outside D.C.: Pentagon City and Crystal City. To head into D.C., you're only a few blocks from...
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This moderately priced hotel is located in D.C.'s Penn Quarter, across the street from the city¿s Chinatown and just a few blocks from the Metro and the National Mall.
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Located in Virginia's Historic Old Town, this hotel offers a good value if you don¿t mind being outside of D.C. proper. This quaint hotel is only blocks from the popular Mount Vernon Trail and the...
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Located in the trendy Dupont Circle area, this hotel has an artistic sensibility and is only about a half mile from the Rock Creek Park Trail.
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This Georgetown offers finger-lickin' good barbecue from different regions of the U.S.
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Craving wood-fired pizzas, authentic Italian cuisine and a bottle of wine? Look no farther than this well-loved restaurant decorated with colorful contemporary art and located less than a block from...
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Serving delicious Italian food in Georgetown for more than three decades, this is a go-to place for a hearty meal after a ride on the nearby C&O Canal Towpath.
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Come here for fresh, high-quality Japanese cuisine in D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood.
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Since 1963, Clyde's has been a D.C. favorite serving up classic American fare just a block from the C&O Canal Towpath.
Since 1963, Clyde's has been a D.C. favorite serving up classic American fare just a block from the C&O Canal Towpath.
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Located on the C&O Canal Towpath, Fletcher's Boathouse offers plentiful options for enjoying the outdoors with rentals of bikes, kayaks, canoes, rowboats and paddleboards.
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With four D.C. locations, including one less than 2 blocks from the National Mall, this bike shop is a good bet for arranging your bike rental. They also offer guided tours by bike or Segway.
With four D.C. locations, including one less than 2 blocks from the National Mall, this bike shop is a good bet for arranging your bike rental. They also offer guided tours by bike or Segway.
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Located just a few blocks from the National Mall, this outfitter provides bike rentals and guided bike tours.
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Located at the corner of 33rd and M Street in Georgetown right near the C&O Canal. Has rentals of all kinds and also has trail-a-bikes, baby seats, and trailers.
Located at the corner of 33rd and M Street in Georgetown right near the C&O Canal. Has rentals of all kinds and also has trail-a-bikes, baby seats, and trailers.
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