Southern Maryland: Tidewater Potomac Heritage Bicycle Route
This 5-day bicycle tour starts at Fort Washington Park at the Prince George’s County Potomac Heritage On-Road Bicycle Route as a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.238 miles, averaging 41 miles a day for the first four days, with options for short-cuts on each day. 52 miles back to La Plata on the last day, with another 20 miles back to Fort Washington National Park.
Day 1
42 miles – Fort Washington Park to Bel Alton
The tour begins Fort Washington Park. Fort Washington is the only permanent fortification built to defend the river approach to the Nation’s Capital. Follow the route south to Smallwood State Park, and then cut across through Pisgah to Port Tobacco where you can explore and eat lunch. Chapel Point Road will take you past St. Ignatius Church to the Motel Bel Alton. After you check-in, you can bike or drive 5 miles to Pope’s Creek for a seafood dinner on the Potomac.
Day 2
28 miles – Bel Alton to Charlotte Hall
Head back down to Pope’s Creek, across Rt. 301 and up through Amish country to Charlotte Hall, where you can have lunch at Bert’s 50 Diner. After lunch riders can visit the nearby farmers’ markets and/or bike a 13-mile loop to the lake and park Gilbert Run. Here you can enjoy fishing, pedal boating, row boating and canoeing from March to November. Several good restaurants are within walking distance of the Charlotte Hall Motel for dinner.
Day 3
42 miles – Charlotte Hall to Leonardtown
The route passes many Amish farms as you dip down to Chaptico, Bushwood, and Avenue, along St. Clements Bay. Grab lunch along the bay and then cycle back up and around to Leonardtown. You can paddle here, as well as enjoy the Leonardtown Winery, Wharf and Water Trail. You have a wide choice of places for dinner, including the Café des Artistes, and you can stay at the Relax Inn for the evening.
Day 4
45 miles – Leonardtown to Wynne
Out of Leonardtown, follow backcountry roads down to Valley Lee, up to Great Mills, and then Route 5 to St. Mary’s City. This quaint, historic town along the river is a perfect place to grab a bite to eat. Then continue down Route 5 toward Point Lookout to the 1828 Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, with the Potomac River on one side and the Chesapeake Bay on the other. There is also a nature center in Point Lookout State Park and a Civil War Museum to explore (there may be a $3 per person entry fee). Retrace the route back a few miles to Wynne where you can watch the sun set over the Potomac. Courtney’s has been recommended as a great seafood restaurant, and you can stay at the Scheibles Restaurant and Motel for the night.
Day 5
52 miles – Wynne to La Plata, the 20 miles – La Plata to Fort Washington
This is a long day, so you may want to get an early start as you head back to La Plata. Once you get back to La Plata, you will need to go the 20 extra miles to get back to Fort Washington, if that’s where you left your car.
For information on the map of the Tidewater Potomac Heritage Bicycle Route produced by the Adventure Cycling Association with assistance of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Office, National Park Service, visit http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/tidewater.cfm.
Leedstown Loop
Cycling this 38-mile, paved Northern Neck route will lead you to the historic towns of Colonial Beach and Leedstown, as well as the birthplace of President James Monroe. Be aware that this route is all on roadways, and only experienced cyclists who are comfortable with traffic should venture onto Route 3 at the end of the loop.
Starting from the King George/Westmoreland County line, cycle to Colonial Beach at the widest point on the Potomac River. This small community was founded in the 19th century as the fishing and bathing getaway for Washingtonians coming by steamboat. Still a waterfront resort, this golf cart community is home to numerous art galleries and hosts a yearlong “Second Friday” Art Walk. The community has built an outdoor performing arts stage, Town Hill, where evening concerts, outdoor family movie nights and weekend events are held.
Hop back on your bike and cycle to the birthplace of the 5th U.S. President James Monroe between Colonial Beach and Oak Grove. Stop in to the new visitor center there and learn about the Northern Neck’s native son who was Secretary of State during the War of 1812. Later as President, Monroe set the cornerstone for American foreign policy through his 1823 Monroe Doctrine.
Carefully cross Route 3 (King’s Highway) onto Route 638 (Leedstown Road), which wanders through the countryside to Leedstown on the Rappahannock River. In 1678 community founder Edward Bray built a brick church, a ferry and a wharf on this site. In 1742, the town was home to the Leedstown Resolutions, which protested the Stamp Act and foreshadowed the Declaration of Independence. While on Route 638, you can stop to visit the Ingleside Vineyards to rest your legs and enjoy a taste of Northern Neck wine.
From Leedstown, weave through Westmoreland County along Route 637 to Route 625/Horner’s Mill Road to Route 642/Baynesville Road and finally west on Route 3/King’s Highway to complete the loop. Be advised that Route 3 is for experienced, traffic-savvy cyclists as it is a 2-lane road with truck traffic
This loop is estimated to take approximately 3 hours, 20 minutes. To view a map of this loop and others in the Northern Neck, visit the Northern Neck Heritage Bike Route Network. For more information on attractions and accommodations in Virginia’s Northern Neck, please visit http://www.northernneck.org/index.htm.
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McIntosh Run Trail: Port of Leonardtown Park to Abell’s Wharf
This trail features four access points and provides paddlers with the opportunity to explore the quiet marshes of Leonardtown or the open waters of Breton Bay.
Distance: Following along the shoreline, it is approximately 2.4 miles from the Port of Leonardtown Park to Leonardtown Wharf Public Park; 0.6 miles from Leonardtown Wharf Public Park to Camp Calvert; and 3 miles from Camp Calvert to Abell’s Wharf. More experienced paddlers may paddle the full distance of approximately 6 miles.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate along McIntosh Run, but can be difficult in wider waters along lower Breton Bay depending on wind and weather conditions.
The upper section of this route is ideal for novice paddlers. Begin at the Port of Leonardtown Park on McIntosh Run, which features a passive park and the newly opened Port of Leonardtown Winery. Head south along McIntosh Run for approximately 2 miles. The trail here meanders through a sheltering canopy of trees which is home to Bald Eagles, Baltimore Orioles, wild turkeys and other bird species. The trail opens up at Breton Bay and large marsh areas will be visible to the right along with a few large waterfront homes. Continue paddling for approximately another half mile. More marshes and duck blinds hidden among the cattails can be seen to the right. The Leonardtown Wharf Public Park will be on the left side.
More experienced paddlers may take a more challenging route by continuing to Camp Calvert Landing and the larger waters of Breton Bay to Abell’s Wharf.
Port of Leonardtown Park
GPS: 38 18′ 14.31″ N 76 39′ 23.72″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: Commissioners of Leonardtown, (301) 475-9791
Amenities: Handicap accessible, soft launch for canoes and kayaks only. Kayak/canoe rentals are available.
Directions: Drive south on Route 5 toward Leonardtown. Turn right at Newtowne Neck Road / Route 243. Turn left at the Port of Leonardtown Winery sign (approximately 0.16 miles) and drive to the end of the road.
Address: 23190 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Leonardtown Wharf Public Park
GPS: 38 17′ 09.62″ N 76 38′ 17.37″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: Commissioners of Leonardtown, (301) 475-9791
Amenities: Public restrooms, seasonal concession stand and close proximity to restaurants. This site is suitable for canoe and kayak launching only and features a stepdown, floating launch platform. Parking is very limited.
Directions: Drive South on Route 5 toward Leonardtown. Turn right onto Washington Street and drive to the end.
Address: 22500 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Camp Calvert Landing
GPS: 38 17′ 03.63″N 76 37′ 44.41″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks
Amenities: This landing is for canoe and kayak access only. Very small parking lot accommodates no more than two vehicles. Parking is minimal so drive to the landing to dropoff kayaks and canoes and park elsewhere. Be cautious of power boats and jet ski traffic when using this landing.
Directions: Drive south on Route 5 toward Leonardtown. Turn right onto Fenwick Street and make a left onto Camp Calvert Road. Drive to the end of Camp Calvert Road.
Address: 22530 Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Abell’s Wharf
GPS: 38 15′ 38.46″ N 76 38′ 42.51″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks
Amenities: Boat ramp and pier, parking lot (for 20 cars) and seasonal portable toilet.
Directions: Follow Route 5 south to Route 244 west to Breton Beach Road. Then turn right onto Abell’s Wharf Road.
Address: 21620 Abell’s Wharf Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Kinsale/Sandy Point Loop
Kinsale is a historic village on the Yeocomico River, a tributary of the Potomac River. The idyllic community is flush on the water, an historic landing for steamships, and the perfect starting point for an easy, scenic 30-mile tour by bicycle.
The Kinsale Museum has visitor information and exhibits on the history of town; in addition to the history as a port, the area was the scene of a naval engagement during the War of 1812. In addition to the museum, you can also visit Port Kinsale Marina and Resort. From Kinsale, it’s a short ride to Sandy Point and a grand view of the Potomac. Retracing your path on Route 718, turn right onto Route 749 and then onto Route 663; here you begin a loop on Virginia “600” roads to explore a landscape defined by water. Just before your return to Kinsale, you come upon the Vault Field Vineyards to the south where you can stop and enjoy a glass of wine before finishing your ride.
This loop will take approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes. To view a map of this loop and others in the Northern Neck, visit the Northern Neck Heritage Bike Route Network. For more information on accommodations, events and attractions, including the Steamboat Era Museum in Irvington, visit http://www.northernneck.org/index.htm.
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