Blaze Adventure Tours

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal traverses over 180 miles from historic Cumberland, MD to the heart of Georgetown in Washington D.C. For over 100 years, the canal was a transportation hub for the surrounding communities. Today it serves as a recreational reminder of local history and provides habitat for the resident wildlife. The tour will begin in historic Cumberland, Maryland.

This is an easy-medium difficulty tour. Expect easy terrain on crushed limestone and moderate cycling days. This tour is specifically designed to be well supported for beginners and is appropriate for anyone who is comfortable on a bike. Consider this a bike tour with a safety net. We will help you every step of the way to make sure you have the adventure of a lifetime. Keep in mind that the campsites are basic. Portable toilet facilities and water are available, but we will be staying right on the canal. You may miss a shower, but you’ll get the real towpath experience.

Join us and learn why the best way to see the world is by bicycle.

#canocanal

Enjoy a gravel bike tour along the scenic shores of the Potomac River. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal traverses over 180 miles from historic Cumberland, MD to the heart of Georgetown in Washington D.C. For over 100 years, the canal was a transportation hub for the surrounding communities. Today it serves as a recreational reminder of local history and provides habitat for the resident wildlife. The tour will begin in historic Cumberland, Maryland.

This is an easy-medium difficulty tour. Expect easy terrain on crushed limestone and moderate cycling days. This tour is specifically designed to be well supported for beginners and is appropriate for anyone who is comfortable on a bike. Consider this a bike tour with a safety net. Keep in mind that the campsites are basic. Portable toilet facilities and water are available, but you will be staying right on the canal. You may miss a shower, but you’ll get the real towpath experience.

Go on an adventure and learn why the best way to see the world is by bicycle.

#canocanal

The Northern Central Railroad Trail (AKA the NCR Trail or the Torrey C Brown Rail Trail) runs from near Hunt Valley, Maryland to York, Pennsylvania. Before being converted for recreation, the railroad operated here for 140 years. The railway serviced the Baltimore, York and Harrisburg areas carrying both passengers and freight. During the Civil War, the Pennsylvania Railroad was an important part of carrying soldiers and supplies in the area.

The mostly shaded route has riverside views, runs through Gunpowder Falls state park, and offers a great venue for a beginners gravel bike tour. The NCR trail provides recreation for many locals who use the gently sloped trails for a variety of activities. You’ll be sure to see walkers, runners, cyclists, fishermen, and even tubers on your trip. Keep your eyes peeled for the coal powered historic train that runs on a section of old tracks on the Pennsylvania side of the trail.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is America’s longest linear park, spanning 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina. It connects Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, VA (Milepost 0) to Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469). Littered with gorgeous overlooks, breathtaking views, and winding scenic roads, the parkway is a highly sought-after destination for East Coast cyclists.

To make transportation to the start easier, this tour will begin in Asheville, NC. If you wish to complete the whole parkway, we highly encourage you to start in Cherokee and pick up the itinerary in Asheville!

Mountainous terrain, paved surface