Overview
Overview Traveling Westward. The Western Maryland Rail Trail (WRMT) is a 27.5-mile rail-to-trail from Big Pool to just past Little Orleans. The trail is relatively level and paved. It parallels the C&O Canal towpath for most of its length. Each trail utilizes the other trail. The WRMT uses the C&O towpath for a two-mile section around the closed Indigo Tunnel (miles 24-26. The C&O towpath uses a two-mile stretch from Lock 55 (mile 20) to Lock 56 (mile 22.5) to bypass a damaged bridge. The trail serves two user groups. It serves as a destination for bikers, and it serves as a convenient bypass of the C&O Canal towpath for through-bikers. The WMRT’s paved roadway saves considerable pedaling energy.
Traveling Westward
Big Pool to Hancock (miles 0-10). The trailhead at Big Pool provides slightly over 30 parking spaces and includes restrooms and a small pavilion. A half-mile to three – quarters of a mile from the parking lot, the trail crosses over Ernstville Road, which provides a connector to the C&O Trail towpath for those heading east. Signs mark the connector well. The stretch from Big Pool to Hancock parallels Interstate I-70 for several miles, sometimes fairly closely. The first four miles are rural. Interstate I-70 does not impact this section of the trail. Once the trail crosses Licking Creek, I-70 parallels the trail in close proximity. It impacts the trail both visually and with its road noise. The trail enters Hancock around the ten-mile marker.
Hancock to Little Orleans (mile 10-27.5). Hancock provides ample parking and amenities, including a bicycle shop. There is easy access from I-70. Also, there is an easy connection between the C&O Canal towpath, the WMRT, and amenities in Hancock. The stretch west to Little Orleans is popular, scenic, and remote. The interstate is no longer a factor. Around the 12-13 mile markers, the landscape opens up to provide some pleasant views of the countryside. Around mile 14, cliffs border the trail. Elevated above the towpath, the trail provides some pleasant views of the river and West Virginia. At Lock 55, shortly after mile marker 20, bikers on the C&O Canal towpath are required to take a detour on the WRMT trail. The detour is well-marked, and the closed bridge, which is a short distance from the canal lock, is visible from the WRMT trail. At mile 22 is a DNR trailhead, Pearre Station. It is a small, paved parking area located next to the trail. Located seven miles from I-70, it is less accessible than Hancock or Orleans.
Less than a half-mile from the parking lot at Pearre Station (mile 22), the detour reconnects with the C&O Canal towpath. Again, it is well-marked. From there the trail crosses Sideling Hill Creek. The aqueduct is visible from the bridge. Shortly thereafter, the trail narrows slightly as it clings to the side of the hill.
Just before mile marker 24 is the bypass of the Indigo Tunnel. A concrete paved connector connects the WMRT with the C&O Canal towpath. The WMRT utilizes the C&O Canal towpath for two miles, where another concrete-paved connector reconnects the WMRT with the rail trail at mile 26. Both connectors provide an easy transition. Little Orleans and its trailhead is another half to three-quarters miles. The trail ends abruptly at mile 27.5, shortly before the abandoned railroad crosses the Potomac River.
At the end of the WMRT, there is a connector trail with the C&O Canal towpath. It is a steep trail and not biker-friendly. For through bikers, the connector saves considerable time and distance from the towpath, which is three times as long as the rail trail segment to Little Orleans. Also, the towpath is a little rough in this section. For through bikers traveling east on the towpath, the connector is about 100 yards past the railroad bridge over the Potomac. The connector is easy to miss (see the Highlights below). It is not obvious. There are no signs. But it saves time.
Photo Tour
Note: The photos were taken in early spring before the leaves emerged on the trees. The reader can imagine the enclosure provided by the canopy during summer.
Looking West . . . . . . . . . . . Looking East
Highlights and Fill Ins
