Oct 2, 2026 9:00 ~ C&O Tunnel Disaster 101st Anniversary Tour
Details
Anticipated weather on hike day
Hear the story and see the two ends of the C&O Tunnel which collapsed during repairs on October 2, 1925, exactly 101 years ago! Now the permanent resting place for (at least) 2 unrecovered workers, the 4,000 ft tunnel has two closed ends which we will visit by way of a 3-mile hike within the Church Hill neighborhood. We will start at the Libby Hill overlook and will very quickly be at the East end of the tunnel - still very much a tunnel. We’ll then go on through Church Hill, past historic homes and new restaurants. Plan on stopping at Sub Rosa bakery on 25th Street for about 15-20 minutes before “climbing” Jefferson Park and descending to the Western end of the tunnel. We’ll then make our way back to Libby Hill. (The map is an approximation of our hike. Don't hold me to the exact streets! There may be more interesting stories elsewhere!)
This is the best of the best hikes, but here are the required cautions: on this hike, you will likely encounter paved walkways, city streets, tree roots, tree branches, low hanging vines, insects, toxic plants (don’t touch anything!), reptiles, damp trail conditions, dense foliage and a poorly maintained wooded trail. But it also will have a coffee/sweets stop along with Hiking with History! And, to top it off, the hike will be held on the 101st anniversary date of this tragedy!
This hike will begin at the posted time. If you are unfamiliar with the meetup location, add a few minutes to your travel schedule so you can find us. If you need help with directions, click on the arrow in the location description ("How to find us") to display a larger interactive map. When you select "Directions" (upper left) the best route from your location to the MeetUp rendezvous spot will be calculated. Look for a gathering of others looking for a gathering. Before the hike, be sure to place anything that might invite theft in your trunk before you leave your car parked while you are hiking. While your event host is providing a framework for your MeetUp hiking experience, you are responsible for your own safety and well-being.
• What to Bring
Water bottle, clothing appropriate for the weather, cap or bonnet, sun block, insect repellent, band aids, practical footwear & a snack (if Sub Rosa isn't your thing...)
Organizer Contact Number => 765.490.3285
Richmond Police Non-Emergency Number => 804.646.5100