The Billy Goat Section B is an enjoyable and fairly scenic hike just a few minutes outside of the Beltway near Washington, DC. Turns out, we also discovered the Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac River. The Billy Goat B Trail is located on the Potomac River side of the C&O Canal, so you’ll need to cross over the canal on the Angler’s footbridge. To reach the lower end of Section A or the upper end of Section B: From I-495, take Exit 41, just north of the Virginia line, heading west on the Clara Barton Parkway and then onto MacArthur Boulevard. Google Custom Directions Trail Notes by Ken Clark, Howard County, MD Sierra Club : From the Tavern Visitor Center, cross the canal on a footbridge over the middle of lock 20. This hike is over on the Maryland side of Great Falls. $10 fee at the gate, but if you forget cash, they accept a credit card! 4mi Jun 17, 2018 J G May 5, 2018 Lauren D Rocky, fun, more upper body work than expected. There is good scenery, rock scrambles and climbing. The Billy Goat Trail is a great hike, doable in a long day if you hike sections A-C, or doable in just a few hours if you just do one section. Billy Goat Trail – Section B (Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, MD) Posted on September 17, 2016 by Andrew Wojtanik Most DC residents who know the Billy Goat Trail brag of completing the iconic Section A—a rugged and challenging hike in Maryland’s Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. This trail is similar to Billy Goat Trail Section A, but less intense and with fewer stretches of rock scrambling., but less intense and with fewer stretches of rock scrambling. As heat wave sizzles the D.C. region, part of Billy Goat Trail closes, and cooling centers open A woman carries an umbrella Friday near the Washington Monument … Billy Goat Section A closed due to flooding, very crowded at this time! The Billy Goat B Trail is a really nice 2.37 mile trail that takes about an hour to complete. Section B includes a small sandy A winding trail with a few small rock scrambles along the Potomac through the lower Mather Gorge. How long is the Billy Goat Trail? The Billy Goat Trail’s three sections aren’t contiguous—instead, they’re side hikes off of the C&O Canal Towpath. Definitely need … With stunning views over the Potomac River and long stretches of amazing rock scrambling opportunities, this trail is up there with the best the area has to offer. Near Potomac, Maryland. The entire Billy Goat Trail is made up of 3 separate sections A, B… In the Summer it can get really hot, and when you are half way in it is a long way out to get out - people die every year of heat stroke and/or dehydration. Hike Great Falls and the Billy Goat Trail Just outside of Washington DC is a great hike and rock scramble you don't want to miss. If you commit to A, bring plenty of water and watch the markers, it's easy to go off the trail Keith Soares July 22, 2012 There are even times when you may have to wait for other hikers to pass and then you can continue with your hiking. For a longer, more challenging trek combine this with all or part of the Billy Goat Trail - Section B and C Circuit. Trail A is very strenuous, B is a bit easier and C is the easiest. This is a trail great for learning how to climb and hike along the Potomac River and Billy Goat Trail is split up into 3 sections, A -1.6 miles (most difficult) B – 1.4 miles C – 1.7 miles (furthest from the falls) Parking available at the Carderock Recreation Area in Potomac Maryland to access the beginning of section B (park at the furthest lot from the entrance). People don’t think of Washington as a region of craggy terrain, but section A of the Billy Goat Trail may surprise them—it’s no easy stroll. As much as I love winter and long for a beautiful peaceful snowfall, we embraced the warm December day and headed out on the backroads of Maryland. The Billy Goat Trail Section C is the easternmost and perhaps the least spectacular of the three sections of trail that go under the name "Billy Goat Trail." Billy Goat Loop Trail is a 3.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Potomac, Maryland that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Be prepared for great views along Billy Goat Trail! 235 reviews of Great Falls: Billy Goat Trail "Yes, do this. may surprise them—it’s no easy stroll. This trail is similar to Billy Goat Trail Section A, but less intense and with fewer stretches of rock scrambling., but less intense and with fewer stretches of rock scrambling. We stopped to stretch our legs on a long summer road trip. Billy Goat trail is a long trek, with many sections that are fully exposed to the weather, be it bright and sunny, hot, or cold and windy. Billy Goat Trail - Sections C and B (Carderock) Description: The C&O Canal National Park draws hordes of visitors, the Great Falls area more so than the rest. A winding trail with a few small rock scrambles along the Potomac through the lower Mather Gorge. After passing the Great Falls Tavern and Visitor Center, I walked down along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath until I got to the beginning of Billy Goat Trail Section A. The OK hikers were experienced Cub and Boy Scouts, so the rock scrambling proved challenging but not daunting. Billy Goat Trail This trail is incredibly fun and has amazing views for the DMV area. Near Potomac, Maryland. Why You Should Hike the Billy Goat Trail With uphill climbing on this trail, it's not your average walk in the park. Long name, but if you type that in to Google maps, it takes you right to parking for Billy Goat Trail. By noon on a beautiful spring or summer day the Towpath will be clogged with sightseers, hikers, runners, baby strollers, fishermen and bicyclists. A woman hiking the Billy Goat Trail in … Get ready to face a long crowd as Billy Goat Trail A is highly trafficked throughout the year. It's a very rocky climb that often feels more like a climbing experience than a typical trail … The OK team spent 6 hours on the outing, including the Billy Goat A Trail, a long break for lunch at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, and an amble back to the car along the canal towpath. The blue-blazed B Section of the Billy Goat Trail brownpau Billy Goat literally has it all: it's easy to access, it's moderately difficult but not overwhelming, it has awesome views of the Potomac River , and it has plenty of places to stop and rest, eat lunch, and take in the scenery along the way. Here you'll find fewer rock scrambles and a quieter atmosphere than Trail A. I took my two girls 12 & 13 and we did the "A" part of the Hike south along the towpath for about half a mile to the Billy Goat Trail. The Billy Goat Hiking Trail is very well known in the Metro D.C area. The Billy Goat Trail, off the C&O Canal is a rocky challenging trail between the C&O and the Potomac with views of the river. Walk down the Towpath for 1/10 mile, paralleling the C&O Canal on your left, to reach the start of the Billy Goat Trail – Section B. Well-signed, the trail bears off to the right and plunges into the woods, remaining mostly level for Bring sunscreen, chapstick, gloves and layers, as the weather dictates. Billy Goat Trail Loop Hike- Tips for hiking Billy Goat Trail (BGT), sections A, B, and C. Rules and regulations to follow, and what to bring on your hike. I am a capable hiker but I'm not any sort of expert. The Billy Goat Trail is very busy on nice days anytime of the year, however if you get on the trail by 8:00 a.m. you can miss all the crowds. Billy Goat Trail Section B is 1.4 miles long, and it is a moderately difficult trail that passes through a floodplain forest. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail … Billy Goat A Trail is by far the most popular section to hike, however if you’re curious, the B section starts at the same parking lot, while the C portion uses the Carderock recreation area for parking and a … If you are a good hiker, good at rock climbing, and very careful, and no one in the crowd ahead of you does anything stupid to knock you down, this can be a very fun trail with great views. There are no rock scrambles on this trail, which is fairly easy and fairly flat Connecting all three makes for a a strenuous hike of about 8 miles total and takes about 4 to 5 hours. Along the Billy Goat Section B trail, there’s something for everyone in my family. On a long crowd as Billy Goat Trail `` Yes, do this enjoyable and fairly scenic hike a. 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