Hiking Project Logo

Billy Goat Trail Section A

Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (47)
  1. Areas
  2. MD
  3. …Central Maryland
  4. …Potomac
  5. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park-Great Falls
Plan with onX Backcountry
Previous Next

“This is a great trail for someone who wants a challenge but doesn't want to travel too far from DC. ”

JLDay Day
Your Rating:      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

1.6

Miles

2.6

KM

Point to Point

137' 42 m

High

95' 29 m

Low

31' 10 m

Up

52' 16 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

2%

Max Grade (1°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This trail can be entered from the east or west end. From the east, you would park at the Old Anglers Inn, cross the Canal, and travel west along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath approximately 0.5 miles to the entrance. From the west, park at the Great Falls Visitors Center and head east on the towpath until you reach the trailhead.

The trail itself is a challenging 1.7 miles along the Potomac River through rolling terrain with intermittent rock scramble areas.

Flora & Fauna

Frogs, tadpoles, turtles, spotted newts, and northern water snakes are common in this area.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Great Falls National Park

Shared By:

JLDay Day
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 47 votes

#1

in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park-Great Falls

#45

Overall
  4.6 from 47 votes
5 Star
64%
4 Star
34%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Chesapeake and Ohio Ca…

#1

in Maryland

#45

Overall
26 Views Last Month
7,361 Since Jun 8, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult
2%
0%
16%
25%
57%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Great Blue Heron closeup
Jul 9, 2015 near Potomac, MD
Notice that the trail goes diagonally up this rock face.
Jan 21, 2020 near Great F…, VA
Potomac River MD side.
Jun 6, 2015 near unknown, unknown
Potomac River MD side.
Jun 6, 2015 near unknown, unknown

1 Comment

Sort by: Oldest
Newest Oldest Popular

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 37 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 2, 2023
J H
Nov 25, 2022
Peder Bisbjerg
Some spot are slick in the rain! Completed under an umbrella... Good views. 5mi — 2h 30m
Oct 27, 2022
Anthony T
Billy Goat Trail section A
Oct 22, 2022
Manuela Giron
May 1, 2022
Sean Brumble
Nov 15, 2021
zoran j
did a week ago, mightve made a wrong turn seemed too easy
Sep 6, 2021
John Chen
1.6mi — 10h 00m
Nov 25, 2020
JK161 k161

Nearby Recommended Routes