C & O Canal Towpath N & S of Pennyfield Lock (ODH Training Hike)

Strenuous 19-mile, out-and-back, go-at-your-own pace, hike on one of the prettiest stretches of the towpath, with a 15-mile, out-and-back, option. Both hikes begin at Pennyfield Lock (mile 19.6). The 19-mile hikers go north, turn around at Mile Post 26, pass Pennyfield Lock, hike south to mile 16.6 (.4 miles past the Mile Post 17), turn around, and return to Pennyfield Lock. The 15-mile hikers go north, turn around at Mile Post 25, pass Pennyfield Lock, turn around at mile 17.5, and return to Pennyfield Lock.
Bring water, lunch or snacks, and sun protection. Dress for the weather. All participants must sign a liability waiver at the start. SCPRO requests a voluntary donation of $2 per person to help support our all-volunteer program.
Although open to all, this hike is part of a series of Saturday training hikes leading up to the One Day Hike (ODH)—a 100 or 50 km hike along the C&O Canal—on May 2, 2026. See SCPRO’s Meetup page for other training hikes as they are posted. If you would like to support the ODH, see volunteering opportunities and/or contact Mike Darzi (mike.darzi@gmail.com). For official updates regarding training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io.
Other training hikes will be posted on SCPRO’s Meetup page. If you would like to support the ODH, see volunteering opportunities and/or contact Mike Darzi (mike.darzi@gmail.com). For official updates regarding training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io.
You need not be a Sierra Club member to participate, but if you'd like to join, go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia .

Leaders: Russ Norfleet & Dave Torraca