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A hidden gem, right off the Beltway


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Map Key

6.4

Miles

10.3

KM

Singletrack

301' 92 m

High

165' 50 m

Low

291' 89 m

Up

417' 127 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

10%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Periodically closed for hunting

Description

The Cabin John Stream Valley Trail starts near the C&O Canal near MacArthur Blvd and goes north to the trailhead at Goya Rd. The hiker-only portion of the trail from MacArthur Blvd to River Road. is one of MoCos best natural areas.

The first trailhead open to bikes heading north is on River Rd. less than 1 mile west of the Beltway (River Rd exit). Heading north from this point, trailhead are at Bradley Blvd (limited parking), Seven Locks Rd (no parking), Democracy Blvd (ample parking at the Indoor Tennis Center 7801 Democracy Boulevard Bethesda, MD 20817), Tuckerman Lane (Group Picnic Area) and at the northern terminus on Goya Dr.

Because the entire trail is within an urban setting, riders must be careful when crossing roads as they carry high volumes of vehicular traffic. A portion of the trail traverses Cabin John Regional Park.

The trail is not very technical, but the short, intense climbs will test your fitness level and there are a few spots that will test your technical skills. There are some low lying areas prone to flooding and that stay wet unless its been weeks between rainfall. These areas are primarily in the River/Bradley section, just prior to Seven Locks, and near the terminus at Goya Rd. The new MORE Trail Liaison will be focusing on these areas starting in 2015. The county has completed some nice re-routes north of Bradley Blvd and Tuckerman Lane eliminating some chronically wet sections.

Heading north from River Rd, the trail is blazed Blue and first road crossing is at Bradley Blvd. This section has one offshoot trail that will loop back to the main trail and with few exceptions, is flat and fast. The trail continues immediately across Bradley to a short, steep climb with a hard left hand turn at the top that will test your skill. There are offshoot trails in this section, with all either returning to the main trail or exiting the park at a road. As you approach Seven Locks a nice downhill section, you can either cross a small creek to your left or go right to Seven Locks. No matter which way you hit Seven Locks, turn left towards the traffic light at Democracy Blvd. Cross Democracy, turn right, and the trailhead is 100 yards ahead to your left.

Exiting the park at Tuckerman, you go left and the trail picks up on the right hand side of the road for another mile to Goya. At this point, the trail is on the west side of the Cabin John Stream and near the end there is a stream crossing to more trails on the east side.

Contacts

Shared By:

Josh Keenan

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 37 votes

#437

Overall
  4.1 from 37 votes
5 Star
38%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
19%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#3

in Maryland

#437

Overall
69 Views Last Month
10,033 Since Jun 3, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate

8%
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75%
6%
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Photos

Biking Bad with Brett and Chris @Cabin John Regional Park.
Mar 14, 2021 near North B…, MD
Biking Bad with Brett and Chris aka The Red Ranger.
Mar 14, 2021 near North B…, MD
Cabin John Trailhead
Aug 21, 2020 near Rockville, MD
Creek Bank off Cabin John Trail
Aug 21, 2020 near North B…, MD
Some fun flowy sections
Aug 21, 2020 near Potomac, MD
Looking from Cabin John Trail at the unmarked/old brown trail. Hopefully this will get officially blazed in this year.  Real fun loop, accessed after a wet stream crossing just before the bridge near Goya Drive.  About two miles to loop down to Tuckerman Ln. Tree's have hidden the trail a bit!
Nov 30, 2015 near North B…, MD

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