C&O Canal Towpath Makes USA Today’s Top 10 List

The C&O Canal towpath in Washington, DC and Maryland was ranked eighth in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Recreational Trails.

The towpath is a dirt trail that runs parallel to the canal for the 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland. Before becoming a popular hiking trail, the path was built for canal mules to walk next to the canal as they pulled the shipping-boats through the water.

Now, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the towpath can be seen with hikers, bikers and runners.

Other DMV trails that made the list were the Virginia Creeper Trail, ranking second, and the Great Allegheny Passage, which ranked ninth.

A panel of experts partnered with 10Best USA Today editors picked the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

The full list of trails can be viewed here.

The C&O Canal Towpath & Great Allegheny Passage ranked in the top 10 for USA Today's @10Best contest for Best Recreational Trail in the country! Maryland is the only state with two trails on the list! Thank you to everyone who voted! @COcanalNPS @GAP_Trail https://t.co/SYDyISGaD5

— Maryland (@TravelMD) March 1, 2021

About Rachel Clair

Rachel Clair was a Senior at the University of Maryland studying Government and Journalism. She was interning at MyMCMedia for the spring months before graduation in 2021. In the fall, she will attend law school.

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