Paw Paw Tunnel Hike

The Paw Paw Tunnel, carved through a mountain ridge about 20 miles downstream from Cumberland, MD, is usually considered the most impressive structure along the entire 184.5-mile length of the C&O Canal. Constructing it involved cutting-edge technology in the 1830s, and indeed it was too much ahead of its time, requiring many years to complete and nearly bankrupting the Canal company.

Today, though, it is a unique and unforgettable experience to walk for about 20 minutes through the 3/5-mile-long tunnel in virtual pitch darkness; bring a flashlight or trust your phone's flashlight function.

We'll continue on the towpath past the tunnel through a dramatic cut and several uniquely-numbered locks to a beautifully situated picnic area right on the Potomac, where we'll lunch before turning back. On our return leg you'll have a choice between retracing your steps through the tunnel or taking a scenic if challenging path up and over Tunnel Hill.

Though it is unlikely we'll be able to find any edible paw paw fruits this late in the season, with any luck the fall colors should be at or near their peak in this part of Western Maryland.

We will carpool on the Saturday of the Indigenous People's Weekend from the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station at 8:30 a.m. We'll make a pit stop at a Sheetz in Hagerstown along the way where you can pick up a sandwich for your lunch.

Total length of our easy-to-moderate round-trip hike should be about 5 miles, with no elevation change if you walk through the tunnel both ways and about a 700-foot elevation gain if you decide to use the Tunnel Hill Trail on the way back.

After the hike we'll head for refreshments at one of our favorite establishments, Buddy Lou's, in beautiful downtown Hancock, MD, hopefully on their spacious patio. We should return to the DC Metro area between 6 and 7 p.m.

Bring beverages, lunch, good hiking shoes or boots, bug spray, sunscreen, a flashlight (if you don't trust your phone's), and $5 for the Adventuring trip fee, cash or Venmo, Passengers in the carpool will pay their driver $25.