Not Your Average Sunday Stroll In The Park

One of the many great views from the Billy Goat Trail

After a few weeks of working hard, studying for class, and enduring the erratic DC weather, it was time to break that cycle and enjoy the great outdoors. While walking on the National Mall and seeing all the sights in DC has been enjoyable, it's just not quite the same as hiking in Mother Nature. Luckily for me, the Billy Goat Trail at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (NHP) provided the adventure I desperately needed. Nestled along the Great Falls on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP offers many great hiking trails with wonderful views of the Great Falls and the rocky Maryland landscape.

For my trip to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP on this sun-kissed Sunday afternoon, adventure was the top priority, and the Billy Goat A trail was the route of choice. Known as the most strenuous hike the park has to offer, the 1.7 mile hiking trail certainly lived up to its billing. Right from the get-go, the Billy Goat A trail had plenty of obstacles to traverse. Trees and boulders littered the trail, making every step more challenging than the last. The majority of steps I took on the trail were not on flat ground, with many requiring the use of all fours as I attempted my best to emulate the curious climbing animal the trail is named after, the Billy Goat. And this was all within the first 10 minutes. The trail continued to grow steeper and more treacherous, with the apex of the hike being a 40 foot rock face. Impossible to traverse without using all fours, I slowly but surely climbed up the obstacle and continued my trek on the Billy Goat A trail. The rest of the hike involved more climbing, trekking, and bouldering, but nothing nearly as strenuous or dangerous as the rock face. Although the hike was physically taxing, the adventure and difficulty of the trail was well worth the many breathtaking views of the Potomac River.

The Billy Goat A Trail at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP

The flat walk back from the trail to welcome center was a welcome relief after the arduous 1.7 miles of the Billy Goat A trail. Although the hike was over and the realities of it being a Sunday afternoon kicked-in, I was already thinking ahead to the next time I would be able to enjoy all that the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP has to offer. For those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC, I would strongly recommend a trip to the great outdoors for your not so average Sunday stroll in the park.

-TB