Billy Goat Trail A

perfect weather for hiking

What a fun day! This hike is what my husband and I were looking for on our first trip to Great Falls National Park. At the time, we had no idea that there were two separate entrances- one on each side of the Potomac. This entrance (on the Maryland side) did not have a line of cars when we showed up in the middle of the day, although many people were out enjoying the park. If you are in the military, you are eligible for an annual park pass which covers admission and parking (for free).

The visitor center is housed in an old tavern and has several different maps and stamps for your National Parks Passport. Other neat things at this location include: an $8 boat ride down the canal, free bicycle borrowing at the park, access to a loooong walking trail along the canal, scenic overlooks, a food hut, and decent restrooms. *This is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park but is referred to as Great Falls.

Boat rides on the canal are offered 3 times a day.

To get to the Billy Goat Trail cross over the bridge at the visitor center and walk along the canal until you see a white covered bridge. Entrance A to the trail is off to your right (before you cross under the bridge). The start of this trail is similar to the River Trail I described from our previous trip. You have to maneuver around rocks on the trail and hop over some, but it is no big deal. When you get further in, everything changes. The rocks become huge and you have no choice but to climb up onto them, jumping and scrambling from one boulder to the next. I must say, I have never felt more like a mountain goat in my life. This trail is aptly named. Be sure you bring plenty of water. Once you get into a rhythm and begin conquering boulders it is easy to forget about time and how hard your body is working.

There are 3 separate trails of varying difficulty.

There are tons of places where you can take a break to enjoy the view or refuel. One smart couple brought a blanket and had a picnic on one of the rocks. If you are unsure about continuing, you can always turn around or take the exit trail that is further in. There is a 40 foot climb up a rock wall (not pictured here) that you have to make in order to continue on the trail. It seems intimidating, but there are plenty of places to grab onto, and it is at an incline so you are not climbing straight up.

The arms on the far right give you an idea of where the "trail" is. 

This is a very popular hike in the D.C. area, so it is crowded on weekends. If you are looking for a quiet walk through nature, this is not the trip for you; although, I would imagine it is much less crowded during the week. If you have a fear of heights, poor balance, or limited mobility, you should carefully assess the risks and decide whether or not you are up for this trek. That being said, this is an absolutely gorgeous hike that leads through the woods, along the river, over rocky cliffs, and by the beach.

We found some extra rocks to climb.

So many people have recommended this trail to us, and now I know why. It is challenging, fun, and exhilarating. The only time I tripped over anything was when we were walking back on the flat ground. Go figure. I was a little apprehensive about this hike/climb, but I had a great time and would love to visit again!