Potomac Heritage Trail

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Potomac Heritage Trail
Length710 mi (1,140 km)
LocationVirginia / Maryland / Pennsylvania / District of Columbia
DesignationNational Scenic Trail
UseHiking, bicycling
SeasonYear-round
SurfaceGravel, asphalt, and natural surfaces
WebsitePotomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

The Potomac Heritage Trail, also known as the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail or the PHT, is a designated National Scenic Trail corridor spanning parts of the mid-Atlantic region of the United States that will connect various trails and historic sites in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. The trail network includes 710 miles (1,140 km) of existing and planned sections,[1] tracing the natural, historical, and cultural features of the Potomac River corridor, the upper Ohio River watershed in Pennsylvania and western Maryland, and a portion of the Rappahannock River watershed in Virginia. The trail is managed by the National Park Service and is one of three National Trails that are official NPS units.[2]

Unlike many long-distance hiking trails such as the Appalachian Trail, the Potomac Heritage Trail is an informal route with numerous side trails and alternatives, some in parallel on each side of the river. Currently, many of these are separate, connected to the others only by roads.[3][4] The PHT crosses the Appalachian Trail near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and is concurrent with the American Discovery Trail along the portion of the C&O Canal Towpath between Oldtown, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.[3]

Initial sections

Three substantial sections of the trail were in existence when the Potomac Heritage Trail officially became a National Scenic Trail in 1983. These trails range from hiking-only to multi-use, illustrating the variety of the PHT route.[3]

Completed and planned sections

Upon its completion, the Potomac Heritage Trail will consist of the following sections:

References

  1. ^ Lillard, David; Talone, Ed. "Hiking". Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail - DC, MD, PA, VA. National Park Service. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  2. ^ "Basic Information". Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail - DC, MD, PA, VA. National Park Service. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Lillard, David Edwin; Talone, Ed (2006). Potomac Heritage Trail: A Hiker's Guide. West Newton, Pennsylvania: Great Allegheny Press. ISBN 0-9717475-5-5.
  4. ^ High, Mike (2000). The C&O Canal Companion. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-6602-9.
  5. ^ "A Development and Managment Plan for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Virginia" (PDF). National Park Service. 2006.
  6. ^ "Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail". National Park Foundation. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  7. ^ "National Scenic Trails in PA". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  8. ^ (1) "Mount Vernon Trail". George Washington Memorial Parkway. United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
    (2) "Mount Vernon Trail". AllTrails. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
    (3) "Map of the Mount Vernon Trail". AllTrails. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
    (4) "The Mount Vernon Trail". Washington DC Multi-Use Trails. Bike Washington.org. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
    (5) "Mount Vernon Trail, Virginia". TrailLink.com: Virginia Bike Trails. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
    (6) Cooper, Rachel (June 3, 2019). "Mount Vernon Trail – Northern Virginia's Scenic Trail". About.com: Washington, D.C. About.com. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  9. ^ (1) "Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT)" (PDF). George Washington Memorial Parkway, Virginia. United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service. March 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
    (2) "Potomac Heritage Trail". AllTrails. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
    (3) "Map of the Potomac Heritage Trail". AllTrails. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
    (4) "Map of the Potomac Heritage Trail". Google Maps. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
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