Trails

🚧 Byron Bridge Update: Final Installation & Closure Starting July 27!

Stairway access to the C&O Canal Towpath will be closed for several weeks starting Monday, July 27, 2026 (rumored to take three to four weeks weather permitting). The temporary stairs are being removed so the new permanent stairs can be finalized.

The Free NPS Shuttle: During the closure, the National Park Service is reactivating the temporary shuttle service between the Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center and C&O Canal Lock 34.

· Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM, 7 days a week (weather permitting).

· First Departure: 9:00 AM from the Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center.

· Last Departure: 6:30 PM from Lock 34.

· Cyclists Take Note: The shuttle does not have a bike rack. 1-2 cyclists may be able to load their bikes inside the shuttle at the driver's discretion, based on space and safety. Please be patient as drivers adjust to everyone's needs.

Commercial Shuttles: If you need guaranteed transport for your bike, local commercial shuttles can accommodate both hikers and bicyclists (reservations and fees must be made directly):

· River & Trail Outfitters: 301-834-9950 | www.rivertrail.com

· Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle: 304-876-3000 | www.thepedalpaddle.com

Trail Access: The C&O Canal towpath and the Maryland Heights trail will remain open during construction. Just be sure to heed any flaggers and signage during hauling operations between Lock 34 and Lock 33.

The ATC Visitor Center will also help coordinate volunteers who wish to shuttle, so contact John McGraw (jmcgraw@appalachiantrail.org) if interested in helping shuttle or if interested in any volunteering with the ATC Visitor Center. For more information and ongoing updates as this project wraps up, please visit: go.nps.gov/ByronBridge.

PATC maintains the 240-mile AT section from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to Pine Grove Furnace, Pennsylvania, the entire 250-mile Tuscarora Trail, and over 700 miles of other trails across Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.

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There are a lot of rocks in the foreground and trees in the background.

A woman is raking dirt on a path in the woods.

A path through a foggy forest with rocks and trees

Trail management encompasses the on–the-ground stewardship performed by volunteers to maintain the trails, its structures, its natural and cultural resources, along with educating the public on trail use.

Keeping the trails open and clear is the centerpiece of PATC's mission. Trail Maintainers are the heartbeat of PATC. Maintainers are the vital volunteers who take care of the routine maintenance on a specific section of trail. Sections are usually 1 to 2 miles in length, although distances may vary.

Maintainers clear vegetation, remove obstacles from the tread, control erosion, and ensure that blazes and signage are clear and obvious. Trail Maintainers deserve all the credit for the club's excellent reputation among hikers and our trail partners. Maintainers usually visit their trail sections at least four times a year and get assistance from Trail Crews for big projects requiring major repairs. Training is offered for basic techniques which most Maintainers learn working with a Trail Crew.

Trail Crews perform some normal trail maintenance such as blowdowns & erosion or weed control as well as large trail tasks, such as building new tread, bridges and major rehab projects. All of PATC's trail crews welcome new members and are glad to help you learn the basics of trail maintenance.