The Path of History

The Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) begins approximately one-half mile west of historic Fort Frederick State Park and winds along the Potomac River for 22.5 miles, through rolling farmland, woodlands, and rural towns to its terminus at the southern slope of Sideling Hill Ridge. The trail is popular for hiking, biking, jogging and skating, and the easy grade and paved surface make this path ideal for families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (the trail is very wheelchair friendly) to enjoy a trek outside. Your Quest on the Western Maryland Rail Trail is to bike (or walk) a section of the trail and to answer a series of questions and take rubbings of letters that you will later unscramble. This 9.2 mile round-trip journey will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for a family on bikes to complete.

Quest Information

Your Quest will begin by picking up your Quest instructions at the C&O Bike Shop in Hancock, which is open daily from 8 am until 6 pm. You will then start your trail journey at the Pennsylvania Avenue access point on the WMRT (mile marker 10.6); look for the “Begin Your Park Quest Here” sign. From there you will bike (or walk or jog or skate) to the Round Top Sand Marker Interpretive Sign (mile marker 14.6). As you travel down the Rail Trail and back again, you will pass five interpretive signs marking five eras of transportation and history of the area. These signs contain the answers to the Quest questions that were included with your instructions. Teams must also find eight rubbings attached to the backs of the interpretive signs to unscramble the message we have left for you. Once you have completed your Quest, return to the C&O Bike Shop to get your Passport stamped. You must complete your Quest and return to the Bike Shop by 6 pm. Pets on leashes are welcome on the Trail.

If you do not own bikes, they can be rented at the C& O Canal Bike Shop, which is located at 9 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Hancock, MD 21750 and is open daily from 8 am until 6 pm. For more information call 301-678-6665.

Quest instructions and Passport stamps can also be obtained at the Fort Frederick Visitor Center from 9 am until 4 pm located at Exit 12 off of Interstate 70.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy, a non-profit organization, recently chose the WMRT as one of the top 12 trails in the United States for viewing fall foliage. The peak foliage season in Western Maryland begins in mid-October, and provides an excellent opportunity for picturesque photography along the trail.

Directions to the WMRT Quest:

• The Western Maryland Rail Trail is located in Washington County. To reach Hancock from Hagerstown and explore the western end of the trail, take exit 3 from I-70 West into Hancock. Travel west on MD 144 for 1.5 miles. Turn left at the traffic light on to Pennsylvania Avenue. The Bike Shop will be on the right. You can park around back.

• To reach Hancock from Garrett County, take I-68 East to I-70 East. Then take exit 3 on MD 144 west into Hancock and continue as above.

• Make a reservation to stay at nearby Fort Frederick State park.