Billy Goat Trail

4 miles
3hours
difficult
Hiking
Summer, Fall, Spring
Potomac, MD

trailpeak

This trail has a very difficult first mile involving Billy goat like maneuvers (hence the name) over rocks and boulders that aren't just strewn around the trail, but are the trail. Even after scrambling the first mile you will still find boulders to negotiate and steep descents that require that you get down on all fours at times. Although this trail is highly traveled hikers can still find some alone time if hiked during mid-week. This becomes more difficult on beautiful days in the summer, but come cooler temperatures in the fall coupled with school starting you can sit on a rock outcropping over looking the Potomac for quite sometime without another hiker trying to take your spot. If you really want to have it all to yourself bundle up for a cold weather hike in the winter. Believe me the boulder hopping will warm you right up. It?s close to the city and easy to get to, but will provide a fresh experience every time you hike it. If you are nervous about all the boulder talk and the difficulty rating let me put your mind at ease. I took my two little brothers at 10 and 7 and where they usually complain about long walks they were racing me even when we came to the end of the tow path 4 miles later. Hint: Instead of completing the circuit, take a left when you reach the tow path at the end of the trail instead of a right and walk another quarter mile. On your left will be a bridge to some great views of Great Falls.

Directions:

I-495 (Capital Beltway) northwest of DC

Exit 41

Drive westward along the Clara Barton parkway for 1.5 miles to where it ends at Macarthur Blvd.

Left onto that highway, continue for another mile

Left into trailhead parking area across the road from the Old Angler's Inn

Walk onto the lower road, follow a short trail and turn right onto the towpath

In about a half mile on the towpath a broad area of the canal will be before you

Look for the trailhead on your left