Tandem Tom

A question regarding The C&O Towpath.
What lodging is available in Brunswick? Also how do you access the Harper's Ferry Hostel and Campground?

gpsblake

https://www.bikewashington.org/canal/canal_e.php

Tandem Tom

Unfortunately I don't think that is up to date. I was in Brunswick 2 years ago and it was ify then , not sure what it is now. That is why I am hoping for some up to date info.

raybo

Try this one at crazyguyonabike.com: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum...hread_id=73340

Bezalel

In 2011 I went to the Brunswick campground but found it kind of like spooky horror movie opening scene deserted. I ended up going to the CSX owned hotel (I think it was called Green Country Inn), The information I have is that it is now an Oak Tree Inn and is currently being renovated for a summer 2014 reopening.

alan s 

No idea about lodging in Brunswick, but stopped last summer at this bike friendly place for an awesome breakfast with a live jazz quartet for entertainment. Quite a civilized contrast to the muddy towpath.

indyfabz

https://oaktreeinn.com/Home

Looks like you are correct. The Brunswick location does not yet appear in the dropdown menu of locations but it shows up on Google Maps. According to Google Maps, there is nothing else in Brunswick. You have to go to Harper's Ferry.

OP: What exactly about accessing the hostel is puzzling you? There are biking directions from the C&O right on the hostel's web site. Even simply looking at Google Maps satelite view you can see the foot path (part of ther Appalachian Trail) leading from the C&O across the railroad and onto Keep Tryst Rd., which leads to Sandy Hook Rd. which is where the hostel is.

VT_Speed_TR

We stayed at the Town's Inn, right in the center of Harper's Ferry. Nice place, wasn't expansive. They have a pub/restaurant on the first floor, though we ate elsewhere. Harper's Ferry is only a few miles past Brunswich.

https://www.thetownsinn.com

Tandem Tom

Indyfabz Thanks! In the past the Direction button would not work for me.

RhinoDave

The last time I did the GAP and C&O was in 2008. I'm going to do it again this coming Fall so I bought the current trail guide. https://www.amazon.com/TrailBook-Offi...ny+trail+guide
There are two hostels near Harpers Ferry. One is the Teahorse Inn located in Harpers Ferry near the top of the climb. The other is the HI-Harper Hostel and campground located on Sandy Hook rd. I believe the old Harpers Ferry Hostel which was on the corner of Sandy Hook rd and Keep Tryst is closed. The shortest way to get to the Hi-harper hostel is to cut across the railroad tracks near the bridge to Harpers Ferry. This is not recommended because it is illegal to cross railroad tracks unless it is at an approved crossing. When I stayed at the Brunswick Family campground in 2008 it was a fairly nice campground and I had no issues there. I have heard that it got pretty seedy for a while but that it has been cleaned up a little and is under new management. We are planning on camping all the way but might consider hostels if the weather gets really bad.

indyfabz

Didn't ask for directions. Searched Google Maps for "hostels near Harper's Ferry, WV." It showed the location of the hostel in question and a link to its web site. Even before looking at the web site I zoomed in and saw the path leading to Keep Tryst Rd. Then I checked the hostel's web site and saw that it gives the same bike directions.

This is a very useful and easy way to find lodging and other services near a route. Zooming in and out widens the scope of search results. I did this to find camping for a week long tour from Pittsburgh to Philly using the GAP and much of PA Bike Route S. The maps for Route S don't show possible camping options other than state parks. I ran seaches within reasonable daily biking distances from Cumberland, MD up to Route S and then towards Philly. Found sufficient campgrounds and their web sites if they existed.

Philly Tandem

So, they moved the HI hostel? Interesting. The picture on their website looks like it's the same one, but the map shows it lower on Sandy Hook. Can anyone confirm that it's not the same location? (Wondering if Google Maps just has it not located correctly or something.) I stayed there in 2008 when it was on the corner. It was kind of a pain to get to (at the top of a big hill) and there were no businesses, restaurants, or anything around it. Closer to Harpers Ferry would be a good thing. Keep Tryst Rd. is a BIG hill coming up from the river. Not fun at the end of a long day, but very nice the next morning! I would approach it from the west via Sandy Hook Rd. if at all possible. My trip report from 2008: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/...id=178344&v=3E