Great-American Rail Trail - Mid-Atlantic | District of Columbia Trails

Heading east to west, the Mid-Atlantic section of the Great American Rail-Trail heads east, momentously, at the steps of the U.S. Capitol and runs almost entirely uninterrupted through the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, reaching its western end in Weirton.

This section of the route features some of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most renowned cultural and geographic assets, including the Potomac River waterfront and the National Mall (The Mall), one of the country’s most visited national parks, with tens of millions of visitors each year; a former canal route with economic-development roots stretching back to George Washington; the famous hills and highlands of Pennsylvania, with their stunning foliage and outdoor opportunities; and the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, where access to the Ohio River gave rise to industry.

In D.C., The Mall commemorates our nation’s founders and many others who played critical roles in American history, with monuments and world-class museums, performance venues, and cultural institutions dotting the destination. Heading into Maryland, the Great American follows the 184.5-mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, or C&O Canal Towpath, which features more than 1,300 historic canal structures and relics. The canal is considered the brainchild of George Washington, who used his Revolutionary War clout in 1784 to successfully lobby for the creation of the Patowmack Canal Company, which was ceded to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company in the late 1820s.

The towpath links with the celebrated 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage in Cumberland, Maryland and together the two trails comprise a nearly 335-mile route through Maryland and Pennsylvania. The route is one of the most sought-after long-distance trail destinations in America and is a testament to how trails and rural communities can combine to promote outdoor pursuits in nature and generate vast tourism dollars.

Southwest Pennsylvania features one of the most scenic sections of the Great American Rail-Trail, passing along hills and valleys in the 3,000-square-mile Laurel Highlands area. People visit the region in all four seasons for camping, skiing, canoeing, boating, hiking, and whitewater rafting, with the region’s water bodies—including the Youghiogheny (pronounced “yock-i-gay-nee”) and Casselman Rivers and several creeks—offering many recreational opportunities.

In McKeesport, the Youghiogheny meets the Monongahela River, which the Great American follows northwest to Pittsburgh and Point State Park. Here at “The Point,” the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers (the “three rivers”) gloriously come together, with the sights and sounds of the city and many of Pittsburgh’s famous bridges forming a beautiful urban backdrop.

In the 18th century, this area served as a key trading hub for British and French-Canadian settlers and hosted two major forts: Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt. The structures no longer stand, but a museum at Point State Park provides exhibits and information on the forts, as well as 18th-century frontier life.

Of the 12 states covered by the Great American, West Virginia has the shortest segment—less than 9 miles. As the trail follows a trajectory to Weirton through the Northern Panhandle, on the outskirts of the Industrial Heartland, forests and creeks still permeate the rural landscape. Due in part to its location on the Ohio River, Weirton was once a dominant force in manufacturing, including the steel, coal, and glass industries. Now as an emerging trail town, it’s building a new reputation for small-town hospitality.

To view an interactive map of the entire route, go to greatamericanrailtrail.org.

The mid-atlantic portion of the Great American Rail-Trail is made up of the following trails:

National Mall Trails

Rock Creek Park Trails

K Street/Water Street Cycle Track

Capital Crescent Trail

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Great Allegheny Passage

Three Rivers Heritage Trail

Montour Trail

Panhandle Trail

Parking and Trail Access

There are numerous parking options along the mid-atlantic portion of the Great American Rail-Trail. Please check the individual trail records to see all available options.