Capital Crescent Trail

Very pretty, especially in the fall. I just wish there was some sort of visible security. If not uniformed personnel then at least some obvious cameras to deter the creepy types. I love running here to blow off a little steam and see some natural beauty but sometimes it feels a bit unsafe.

great trail that runs between maryland and dc. i have run on different parts of this trail with different groups of people and always enjoyed the varied scenery which includes the river, woods, flowering plants, and small critters. parts of this trail run thru city parks so i can grab a quick sip of water if needed. but in general, it’s best to carry your own water when knocking out a longer run, esp in the warm weather. for those who like a challenge, this trail has some short inclines to give you a bit of a hill workout.

I am on this trail EVERYDAY for my bike commute to school. I love this part of my ride, it is absolutely beautiful. The two star deduction is for the rough shape this trail is in. Sections are washed out and rough. You need to be very careful and for sure use a headlamp.

I trained for my first marathon on the Capital Crescent Trail, so it has a special place in my heart. The trail is a little oasis in the city, tree-​lined and even peaceful if you get out early for your run or if you run in the dead of winter when there are fewer people on the trail (it’s very pretty in the snow!).
TRAILS ON TRAILS: The trail runs from Georgetown to Bethesda, but it goes beyond downtown Bethesda too. You have to cross the street, but then there is a tunnel under Wisconsin Ave. and the trail continues north as the Georgetown Branch Trail for a little more than 3 miles.
If you follow the Georgetown Branch Trail north a little more than two miles from downtown Bethesda you can also access a trail into Rock Creek Park (right around mile marker 1, make a left on Jones Mill Road and an immediate right on Susanna Ln. The trail starts where Susanna Ln. dead ends. The trail will quickly hit a T, go right to head south). You can then follow the trails in Rock Creek, or Beech Dr. if it’s the weekend, back south towards downtown. This makes for a nice, albeit long (~22 mi.), loop so you don’t have to double back.
PARKING: To run the trail, I usually park in the parking lot for Theodore Roosevelt Island, which is accessible only from the northbound lanes of the GW Parkway. If you park there, follow the trail north out of the parking lot onto the ramp that takes you over the highway. The trail winds up to Rosslyn, take a right and go over the Key Bridge. Go right and loop down onto the canal towpath. The towpath runs parallel to the CCT trail for awhile, but at Fletcher’s Boat House make sure that you hop on over to the paved trail because the Capital Crescent crosses the canal and starts to head north shortly after that point and the towpath continues west.
You can also access the trail from various other points where it crosses over streets, like Massachusetts Ave.
WATER: There is a water fountain at Fletcher’s Boat House (down towards the river, off the path; 3 miles from Georgetown) and another water fountain on the right hand side of the trail if you’re headed north, right before the tunnel (about 5 miles from Georgetown). There is also a water fountain on the left side when you reach Bethesda (about 8 miles from Georgetown).

On Saturday, I rented a bike from Thompson Boat Center in Georgetown and set sail for a long bike journey up to Bethesda. It turns out biking between Georgetown and Bethesda isn’t too bad. If you Google the trail name, you’ll find out there are some elevation changes, a couple of bridges to ride over, a tunnel to ride through, and lots of entry/​exit points along the trail. The entry/​exit points are neighborhood access points so you don’t have to be alarmed when you see people coming and going.
I found going to Bethesda a little more challenging because it is a bit of an uphill. Even for someone who does not enjoy cardio activities in the least bit, I managed to bike up the hills and bridges without getting off my rented bike so you might not find this aspect of the trail difficult at all. On the return trip, it really did feel like it was all downhill from Bethesda. I turned the bike around and let gravity do its work for a few hundred yards.
I liked that periodically there are benches to sit on along the trail. I think I even saw a water fountain or two along the way. (There is definitely a water fountain near Bethesda.) At Fletcher’s Cove, there are restrooms. However, the most impressive thing on the trail was a bike stop to pump air and fix your bike if need be. I didn’t stop so I didn’t take a picture, but it looks impressive and the stop is closer to Bethesda.
Apparently, the trail is the most heavily used rail trail in the US and serves as a popular commute option during the workweek. On Saturday, I dd notice young families taking advantage of the trail, and yes, some do walk/​run 3 – 4 abreast so I just yelled «On your left» and sped past them.
Some other observations: some parts of the trail are cooler than others. When I was biking (flying) back from Bethesda, in the shade, it feel chilly. Once I was out in the sun, it was ok. There are those who walk 3 – 4 abreast so you do have to yell to get around them. Most people are ok with it and really stick to the edges of the pretty wide trail. I also like that people are good about staying on the right and passing on the left.
Enjoy and be considerate!

Love this trail. It’s a very pretty, comfortable and easy trail to walk or ride down on. But because of this, it is super popular so it tends to get crowded but I don’t mind that since I don’t tend to zoom by that fast on my bike. It’s more like a casual stroll type feel then the indie 500 you find on the C&O trail, which is more my pace anyways. I usually head from Bethesda (trail entry is right across the Barnes and Noble) and head to Georgetown for lunch before heading back. Pretty smooth roads and shaded for the most part with trees. You can see the water line for most of the trail as well which is peaceful, but be warned there’s a small area that smells like bad sewage, and I always get nervous for some reason with the semi-​dark tunnel (I am a chicken when it comes to horror films so maybe it’s just me)
Oh yeah, to note, a lot of weekday commuters use this trail on/​during the work week because of its convenience, lots of areas that break off back to the main roads.

Awesome trail to run or bike. Lovely!

I generally jog the trail between mile marker 3 thru 4.5. The trail is clean and nicely labeled (i.e. 15mph, dangerous intersection). Walkers, joggers, & runners to your right and bikers «On Your Left». «On Your Left» or ringing of a bell is something commonly heard when on the trail to let others know a biker is closely approaching on your left side. Just enough tree’s and just enough sunlight to start my morning off right. This portion of the trail is nicely located near downtown Bethesda.

This is such a beautiful little trail to jog/​walk/​bike from Bethesda to Georgetown :)
You can go for it and hop on a kayak once you get to Georgetown or if you’re a piggie like me, stop for brunch and/​or cupcakes :):)

This is a great path to work out on. Covered with trees to keep you cool in Bethesda. Do it with a friend, a bike, a dog or your iPod. Enjoy outdoors. I guarantee you’re gonna love it!

love it

Been using this trail for the better part of the last 20 yrs, although not on a regular weekly basis… Unless you do it often, start from Bethesda, unfortunately the parking lot at Barnes n Noble is gone for yet another overpriced condo building. All the way down to the Whitehurst Freeway underpass… it is almost ALL downhill… Take a left around 33^rd street and work your way up to the Key Bridge… a little better workout now… you’ll hit Gravelly Point in about 15 minutes… If you’re lucky, the planes coming into Reagan National will be landing as opposed to taking off in the direction of where you’ll be standing…
Work your way back to the Memorial Bridge, swing around the Lincoln Memorial, wave hi to ol Abe… watch out for the tourists… find the path towrds the Kennedy Center where you’ll come out at the beginning of the Georgetown Waterfront… drink to your hearts content and people watch! … When down… do what I do, rather than bike UPHILL back to Bethesda, leisurely find your way to Foggy Bottom/​GW and cheat… on the weekends, you’re allowed to bring your bike onto the Metro…
Back in Bethesda or Rockville… Guess what? You still have your Saturday/​Sunday afternoon to do something else…
Have fun! Be courteous if you’re biking and ring/​warn as you zip by… if you’re walking, please don’t walk 2 abreast or you’ll get mowed down by the Lance Armstrong wannabes…

Capital Cresent Trail is an easy trail to walk or hike in. Why? Because it’s mostly paved. It’s paved from Bethesda to Georgetown with a part of the trail running along the Potomac River. Gorgeous views! Dog friendly. Lots of moms and strollers.
There’s a portion of crushed stone surface between Bethesda and Silver Springs (
).
ENJOY!

I love that I can review a trail. Thanks, Unilocal!
My landlord told me about this trail and I finally got a chance to check it out the other day. I hopped on my bike on Sunday morning between 8 and 9am. The trail was quite busy even then. I got on from Massachusetts Ave in Maryland and rode up to Bethesda. It’s about 2 miles. I rode back to Massachusetts Ave to go home, but I plan to go the other way to Georgetown to check out the rest of the trail.
I’m noticing lots of reviews that mention human stupidity, catty comments or even angry remarks from fellow trail-​goers. I didn’t notice any of that on my biking trip– though I was so absorbed by the heavenly scent of pine and the cool, wet air that I didn’t notice much else. Everyone who is on the trail has a different intent, and although it may not be in sync with yours you have to respect it. A near-​level paved trail away from heavy car traffic (for the most part) that takes you to useful parts of town is a beautiful thing!
I can’t wait to ride this trail when the leaves start to change colors and it is consistently cool outside. It’s going to be exquisite! If you haven’t been on this trail yet, go– you won’t regret it!

Unbeknownst to me, I had been walking various stretches of this trail through the years I lived in DC. But it wasn’t until my most recent visit the other weekend that we were properly introduced — I learned the full length of the trail and that it has a name. Gorgeous overlooks of the Potomac and C&O Canal. Even on a beautiful summer weekend, you can go for a good distance without seeing another soul on the path, though entrance points can get congested.
The trail looks deceivingly flat, but it’s an almost steady uphill the whole distance. Word of advice: if you can and have the choice, start in DC and head to Bethesda. That way, you have the easier return ride (that’s how I like to do it.)

I live in the hill ridden area of San Francisco so returning to Bethesda is heaven. Consequently it also means a nice cheat on my workout routine. I like biking the Capital Crescent back and forth to Georgetown because it is a nice 13+ miles and is suuuper flat. Yes, yes there is an incline on the way back from DC but ride the wiggle in SF and then let’s chat.
There are a couple areas past Fletcher’s boathouse that could use some maintenance but all in all a well kept trail.
Weekends are atrocious and don’t expect to go over 10 miles per hour in the congested areas. I like riding in the mornings (6 am-​ish).
Solid running trail as well.

It’s true: This is where the area’s most self-​righteous Spandex-​sporting suburbanites go to pedal away all the quiet miseries life in the bourgeoisie. They scream at slow walkers. They scorn babies. They snatch chirping bluebirds off the trees and devour them whole. One time, I even saw Tom Friedman doing this! Just kidding. But I have indeed seen Tom Friedman on this trail many times, clad in sweaty Lance Armstrongs.
One piece of advice, Tom: you might think the world is flat, but this trail definitely isn’t. It’s one big gradual hill from Bethesda to Georgetown. Keep it in mind as you fly gaily into DC: you are going to get pwned on the way back.
Go to Wow Cow for ice cream at River Road. Lazily browse the aisles at Barnes and Noble in Bethesda. Coast through Kenwood in cherry blossom season or rent a rowboat at Fletcher’s Boathouse. The adventures to be had on and off this trail more than make up for the people with whom you must occasionally share it.

It’s not always ‘nature’ vs. nurture — sometimes you luck out & get both! If I lived in Georgetown or the mean streets of Bethesda, I’d definitely take advantage of this trail more often.
I only walked 3 miles of the trail, but it was a scenic, serene hike. There are joggers, bikers, and power-​walkers. I actually saw more fathers out with strollers than mothers, but that could be a good thing.
I would definitely go in the morning (before or around 10 a.m.) when the temperature is right and the birds are singing a sweet melody. This trail is definitely more inspirational for a weekend walk than a visit to the gym during the week.
Secluded & shaded by many trees, you won’t see a car for miles and miles on the CCT. Nice!

Great trail. This is actually one of the few things I miss from living in the DC area.
I wish it were paved the whole way, but eh.
I can’t wait til they turn it into a fully paved trail to make it into the Bicycle Beltway.
I connect this trail to the Rock Creek Parkway trail and W&OD to get a nice 30 or so mile circuit in.
You can also combine this with the Mt. Vernon Mt. Trail.

As a new bike rider (I don’t feel I can really call myself a cyclist yet), I am greeted daily with the turmoil of where to ride my bike. Bike lanes are scant and cars hate us on the road. Pedestrians hate us on the sidewalks. So what to do? Hit up bike trails, of course!
The Capital Crescent Trail is sort of an urban escape as you wind through trees and nature with numerous runners, walkers and parents with strollers on the paved and wonderfully shaded path. It’s a fairly easy trail as the ride into Georgetown is practically effortless and even the slight incline on the way back to Bethesda isn’t difficult but will give your quads an excellent workout. For the most part, the trail is well-​maintained though there are a few sections that could be cleaned up a bit. The only thing that you really need to watch out for is the old men cyclists who speed up and down the trail and ring their dainty bells instead of calling out, «On the left!» On the other hand, the trail is a great way for girls to spot cute guy cyclists and shirtless runners because there are definitely a lot of them ;-) ;-).
With ample parking on both ends of the trail and refreshments (Baked & Wired in G-​town, Dolcezza in Bethesda), it’s a great way to spend a weekend morning or leisurely evening riding up and down the paved path.