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Billy Goat Trail Section A

Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (45)
  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 45 votes

#1

in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park-Great Falls

#48

Overall
  4.6 from 45 votes
5 Star
62%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Chesapeake and Ohio Ca…

#1

in Maryland

#48

Overall
8 Views Last Month
7,273 Since Jun 8, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Great Blue Heron closeup
Jul 9, 2015 near Potomac, MD
Potomac River MD side.
Jun 6, 2015 near unknown, unknown
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

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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All Clear 57 days ago See History
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Check-Ins

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
Sep 21, 2020
Jena Turner
1.6mi — 2h 00m
Jul 8, 2020
Court E
Jun 28, 2020
Private User
Apr 14, 2020
Andrew White
wonderful hike with rock scrambles that follows the potomac... packed with people though 1.6mi

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