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Billy Goat Trail Section A

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (49)
  1. Areas
  2. MD
  3. …Central Maryland
  4. …Potomac
  5. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park-Great Falls
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“This is a great trail for someone who wants a challenge but doesn't want to travel too far from DC. ”

JLDay Day
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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 49 votes

#1

in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park-Great Falls

#45

Overall
  4.6 from 49 votes
5 Star
65%
4 Star
33%
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 Intermediate/Difficult
2%
0%
17%
26%
54%
0%
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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

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 73 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 2, 2023
Private User
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

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