The Western Maryland Rail Trail is currently a 20 mile (3 more miles are under construction on the western end) long paved trail, centered at Hancock, MD. The 10 miles of the trail west of Hancock are much prettier than the 10 miles east of Hancock. The western part is wooded and shady and is generally high above the Potomac River with a few good views. There are some steep rock outcrops which make it interesting. To the east, the trail is crowded between the I70 and the river. It isn't shady and often is noisy with the highway sometimes only a few feet away.
One time we just bicycled the trail out and back on road bikes. Another time we made two loop trips using the WMRT and the C & O Canal towpath; one day going east from Hancock to the eastern end and back on the towpath. We needed mountain bikes for the towpath. The time we went one part of the towpath was muddy and it was easy to slip.
There is much information on the web;
a map and description can be obtained from a Bike Washington site.
The best map can be gotten from the Hancock, Maryland web site. The map is in two sections for the east and west parts. This map shows access points, places to cross between the C & O Towpath and the WMRT. It shows camping areas and points of interest such as locks on the canal. The link for the map is at the bottom of the main page of the website which also links to history and photos of the railroad and trail.
There is an effort being made by the C & O Canal Association to have the trail extended over 30 more miles to the west along the abandonded railroad. Click here for information about this effort. This site gives the addresses of agencies involved in the fate of this abandonded railroad and asks bicyclists to write to ask them to support its use as a Rail Trail. There are many pictures of the railroad and its six bridges across the river and two tunnels. These are very good pictures and worth looking at. This site also has much on the railroad history.
There are only two places to get on the trail; at Hancock and from Rt. 56 at the eastern end. The eastern end is close to Fort Frederick which is worth visiting. Click here for information on the Fort Frederick State Park.