Running from Georgetown to Silver Spring, Maryland, the Capital Crescent Trail offers D.C. cyclists an easy-to-access escape from the city. This mapped section overviews the paved section of the trail (popular with bike commuters) that ends just outside Bethesda—the CCT continues for another 3 miles on crushed stone.
The route starts from the Georgetown Waterfront Park right on the Potomac River. Ride north along K Street (under the Whitehurst Freeway and Key Bridge) to access the Capital Crescent Trail just past the Potomac Boat Club. From there, you’ll pick up a 10-foot wide paved path that runs along the Potomac for 3.7 miles before cutting inland towards Bethesda. Along the way, you’ll pass through Fletcher’s Cove (a popular fishing and boating area dating back to 1850), the C&O Canal towpath (which runs from Georgetown all the way to Cumberland, Maryland), and other historical landmarks. The majority of the trail is shaded by heavy tree canopy, making for brilliant fall foliage. On the return trip, cyclists will pass riverside views of the Kennedy Center, the infamous Watergate Hotel, and the Washington Monument.
-Mapped by Matt Silverman
TO TRAILHEAD: This ride begins from the Georgetown Waterfront Park. The southeastern terminus of the Capital Crescent Trail is just west of Key Bridge.
Georgetown Waterfront
Location: 38.900819°, -77.059264°
Looking north along the Potomac on the Georgetown Waterfront. © Matt Silverman
Georgetown Waterfront
Location: 38.901420°, -77.060680°
A view south from the Georgetown Waterfront of the Watergate Hotel (left) and the Kennedy Center (right). © Matt Silverman
Georgetown Waterfront Park
Location: 38.901955°, -77.062011°
From here, ride west along K Street (under the Whitehurst Freeway) to access the Capital Crescent Trail just past Key Bridge.
Waterfront Views
Location: 38.902823°, -77.064157°
Another view back to the Watergate and Kennedy Center from new park space in Georgetown. © Matt Silverman.
CCT Georgetown Trailhead
Location: 38.904464°, -77.070846°
Just past the Key Bridge, near the Potomac Boat Club, the Capital Crescent Trail officially begins at a well-signed trailhead.
Key Bridge
Location: 38.904606°, -77.071543°
A view of the Key Bridge just west of the CCT's southeastern trailhead. © Matt Silverman
Three Sisters Islands
Location: 38.904067°, -77.081548°
© Matt Silverman
Abner Cloud House
Location: 38.919142°, -77.100959°
The oldest building on the C&O Canal, dating back to 1802. © Matt Silverman
Crossing the Canal
Location: 38.924662°, -77.107093°
© Matt Silverman
Fletcher's Cove
Location: 38.919219°, -77.101557°
Fletcher's Cove on the C&O Canal. © Matt Silverman
DC-Maryland State Line
Location: 38.937247°, -77.115955°
Near the DC-Maryland state line, the C&O Canal towpath diverges from the CCT, and continues all the way to Cumberland, Maryland.
Echo Tunnel
Location: 38.943539°, -77.115827°
Resist the urge to test your echo in the tunnel under MacArthur Boulevard. © Matt Silverman
CCT Tree Tunnel
Location: 38.956789°, -77.109422°
In the fall, the tree canopy over the CCT makes for brilliant foliage. © Matt Silverman
Bethesda Avenue Trailhead
Location: 38.980886°, -77.095753°
A large sign marks the Bethesda trailhead across from the Barnes and Noble at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Bethesda Avenue. There's free parking on the weekends in the lot next to the trailhead and plenty of coffee shops and restaurants on this block for mid-, pre-, or post-ride snacks.<p>
From here the Capital Crescent Trail continues on towards Silver Spring on a crushed-stone path. © Matt Silverman
