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Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Great Falls Overlook loop from Carderock

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Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Great Falls Overlook loop from Carderock

Moderate

4.5

(7118)

19,604

runners

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Great Falls Overlook loop from Carderock

01:19

12.6km

70m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: March 2, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.65 km

No bridge too far

Highlight • Trail

4.85 km

Lock 15 and View of the Potomac River

Highlight • River

Lock 15 marks the beginning of the "Six Locks" series, which raises the canal 50 feet past Great Falls. Built from red sandstone boulders transported from Seneca, these locks differ …

Tip by

5.44 km

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Highlight • River

Great Falls has a scenic Horseshoe Bend where the river curves in a horseshoe shape around a rocky outcrop. It's a nice spot to stop for photos on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail.

Tip by

5.74 km

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Highlight • Trail

The Great Falls of the Potomac is a place with various rapids and small falls in the Potomac. The place marked here may only be entered on foot. Bicycles and dogs 😜 must stay outside.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.81 km

Great Falls Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is a spectacular waterfall on the Potomac River. Water gushes over a series of jagged rocks and flows through the Mather Gorge.

Tip by

6.33 km

Washington Aqueduct Observation Platform

Highlight • Viewpoint

Washington Aqueduct was constructed back in the mid-1800s by the Army Corps of Engineers to provide water to Washington, D.C., and is still used today. The observation platform for the …

Tip by

6.37 km

Great Falls Observation Platform

Highlight • Viewpoint

Washington Aqueduct Dam: A water supply dam for Washington, D.C. located just above the Great Falls.

Tip by

11.8 km

Billy Goat Trail Section C

Highlight • Trail

Section C of the Billy Goat Trail is located in Potomac, Maryland, and is a popular hiking route known for its scenic river views and relatively easier terrain. Stretching 1.6 …

Tip by

12.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

12.0 km

446 m

149 m

Surfaces

9.16 km

2.77 km

672 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Friday 8 May

21°C

6°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls – Great Falls Overlook loop from Carderock

No bridge too far

Lock 15 and View of the Potomac River

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Start of the Great Falls Foot Trail

Great Falls Overlook

Washington Aqueduct Observation Platform

Great Falls Observation Platform

Billy Goat Trail Section C

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