how to get from chain bridge to Capital Crescent Trail?

[oldbikechick]

Hi all-

Hoping to do a furlough ride with the hubby on this beautiful day. Can anyone tell me how to get from the Chain Bridge (we will be coming from the VA side) to the CCT? He is on a skinny tire road bike, but could walk it a short distance if need be.

Thanks!

Topic

[DismalScientist]

Take the north sidewalk across Chain Bridge and cross Canal Road on the other side. Look for this bucolic path on the other side just north of the bridge:https://maps.google.com/?ll=38.930539,-77.111916&spn=0.00173,0.002411&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.930611,-77.111966&panoid=8qFWUOgKq_hFCT_0Ea6eMA&cbp=12,28.81,,0,18.82 Start climbing.
Here’s a reverse example: http://www.strava.com/activities/50696880

Another option: Buy a gravel bike. Jump the NPS barriers, if any. Take the towpath about a 1/2 mile south and climb on the “trail” up to the CCT at the bridge carrying the CCT over the canal.

Another option: Buy a grave bike. Jump the NPS barriers, if any. Take the towpath about 2 miles south to Fletcher’s boat house and transfer to the CCT trail there.

[TwoWheelsDC]

As another option, if you want to avoid the hike, you can take the zig zag walkway down to the towpath and ride that to the trestle bridge and get on the CCT there (you have to carry your bike up some steps). It’s a pretty short stretch and, in dry conditions, is easily passable on a skinny-tired bike.

[vvill]

Depending on traffic/time of day you could even ride down Canal Road, and take a left up Arizona onto the CCT. It’s only about half a mile and downhill although you do ultimately need make a left turn, and then climb a bit.

[thucydides]

@TwoWheelsDC 66692 wrote:

As another option, if you want to avoid the hike, you can take the zig zag walkway down to the towpath and ride that to the trestle bridge and get on the CCT there (you have to carry your bike up some steps). It’s a pretty short stretch and, in dry conditions, is easily passable on a skinny-tired bike.

I do this all the time on a road bike and it’s the easiest and safest option. You’re on the C&O for only about 200 yards. I usually take it slow on the C&O but I’ve never had tire problems. You just head south on the C&O from Chain Bridge and climb up onto the CCT bridge.

[oldbikechick]

Thanks everyone for the tips. We ended up just taking the Key Bridge and then down to the beginning of the CCT, which also involved some stairs, but was easy enough and while it involved more riding, so much the better! The CCT was beautiful – my first time on there, but will definitely be back with the kids since it seemed very kid-friendly (particularly the ability to get ice cream in Bethesda).

[Author]

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