WMRT-Cohill to Hancock is a 20.9 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Hancock, Maryland and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and road biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
This is a paved rail-trail. Traveling west from Hancock is a more pleasant ride than the eastern half of the trail sandwiched between the Potomac and Route 70. Interesting things along this section of trail include a high cut through the rock above the Round Top Cement Mill. Here you can clearly see the arc of rock layers formed by the folding of the Appalachian Mountains. There are also a number of caves blocked off to keep people from getting in and disturbing the resident bats.
WMRT c/o Ft. Frederick S.P. 301-842-2155
Get to Hancock by taking Exit 3 on I-70 and then traveling west 1.4 miles on MD 144. Or, if approaching from Pennylvania, take exit 1B momentarily onto 522 and then onto 144 into town. If you turn right onto Pennsylvania Ave this will take you past the C&O Bicycles and then onto Canal Street and across the canal to park in the Little Tonoloway Recreation Area (C&O National Park). There are porta-johns and a water fountin here as well as camping and free parking. You will need to travel back across the canal to join the WMRT. If you turn off of High Street (MD 144) onto Church Street at the Lockhouse Restaurant there is a parking area right on the trail. There are meters but they don't seem to be enforced on weekends. There is no parking area at the road crossing at Cohill.
November 8, 2020Absolutely beautiful in every way!!
October 16, 2020Lovely in the fall. Buddy lous is a great place for lunch
October 7, 2020WMRT is a paved path about 28 miles in length stretching from Big pool MD at Fort Frederick and runs west to Little Orleans. It’s great for all skill levels, and I’d heavily traveled in certain portions with walkers, runners and many other bikers. Some roots have begun to lift sections of the asphalt but is still easily manageable.
October 4, 2020
September 16, 2020June 8, 2020Love the WMRT. Great for walking, rollerblading, biking.
August 25, 2019Easy safe bike trail. Level. Very pretty.
July 15, 2019A lot of shade and very clean trail for road biking
August 21, 2017Love this trail! Wish the tree huggers that determined the endangered bats would be bothered by humans and cyclists in the tunnel would have fallen in the Potomac so the trail could have been finished.
July 2, 2017Super easy walking trail....nice and shaded.
June 11, 2017This trail was awesome! It is paved, flat, shaded, and scenic. As a beginning cyclist you couldn't ask for more! I drove 1 1/2 hours to get here, and it was worth it! There seemed to be an unpaved mountain bike trail on the other side, if you prefer that. Some enterprising soul was selling cold water by the side of the trail. There was a farmhouse along a bit of the trail around mile marker 16. There was a cooler and honor jar on a table by the side 9f the trail. Bathrooms few and far between. I used a port-a-potty in the parking area at the end of the trail, around mile marker 21.
May 18, 2014
First to ReviewAwesome for family with small children.
September 20, 2020September 17, 2020September 11, 2020September 9, 2020August 20, 2020August 2, 2020July 25, 2020July 12, 2020July 11, 2020July 9, 2020July 2, 2020June 28, 2020June 12, 2020May 19, 2020February 22, 2020May 25, 2019October 28, 2017May 4, 2017
