Expert
Virginia · United States
- Distance
- 63.5 km / 39.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,398 m
- Typical duration
- 16 hr
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (right bank)
ExpertDistrict of Columbia · United States
- Distance
- 173 km (108 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 600 m (1,969 ft)
- Estimated time
- 41 hr
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- 94 m (308 ft)
About Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (right bank)
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (right bank) is a mapped hiking route in District of Columbia, United States. The mapped distance is 173 km (108 mi), with 600 m (1,969 ft) of recorded ascent, with 619 m (2,031 ft) of recorded descent. Its recorded high point is 94 m (308 ft) and its low point is -1 m (-3 ft). The displayed moving time of 7 days is a planning estimate based on distance and ascent, before breaks.
Hiking Trail Directory rates this route expert from the available distance and elevation measurements. That rating is useful for comparing routes in the directory, but it does not establish technical terrain, exposure, path condition or the skills required on the day. The start and finish differ on this point-to-point route; arrange the return journey before setting out.
The source data records route tags for mountain, waymarked route and long-distance path, membership of the US:NST network and a waymark record with the symbol “blue::blue_stripe”. These attributes describe the route record as a whole; they do not prove that every section has the same surface, signage or feature.
The directory season field highlights april to october. This is planning metadata, not a live statement about snow, closures or trail condition. Burke is the nearest linked city in the directory, approximately 2.0 km away in a straight line. The route record names National Park Service as operator.
The map is derived from OpenStreetMap and contains 493 geometry points. Elevation values were sampled from terrarium-z11. The traceable source record is 1623950. Open-data records can lag behind reroutes and closures, so compare the source, official notices and the forecast before travelling.
Plan around this route’s details
- Start, finish and return
- The recorded 173 km line has different endpoints. Confirm travel from the finish before setting out; that return journey is additional to the mapped route.
- Climbing in context
- The recorded ascent averages approximately 3 m of climbing per kilometre across the whole route. This is climbing density, not trail gradient: climbs and flatter sections may be unevenly distributed. Recorded descent totals 619 m and also needs time in your plan.
- What needs a separate check
- This record does not establish surface, dog access, wheelchair access. Check any of these that affect your group. Current closures, access arrangements and transport are not verified by the route line.
Route map
Expert173 km600 m
Numbered marks every 25 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +600 m
- Descent
- −619 m
- High
- 94 m (308 ft)
- Low
- -1 m (-3 ft)
Climbing and descending by section
Use these equal-distance sections to see how climbing and descending are distributed along the stored elevation profile. Distances follow the profile’s recorded direction; walking in reverse swaps ascent and descent and reverses the section order.
| Section | Profile distance | Ascent | Descent |
|---|---|---|---|
| First third | 0.00–55.13 km | 174 m | 234 m |
| Middle third | 55.13–110.26 km | 162 m | 146 m |
| Final third | 110.26–165.39 km | 299 m | 274 m |
How these numbers are calculated
We split the stored profile into three equal distances and interpolate elevation at each boundary. Rising samples count towards ascent; falling samples towards descent. Totals can differ from the headline figures, which may use different smoothing or rounding. Sparse samples, gaps in the source route and elevation-model errors limit accuracy. These are calculations, not surveyed sections, directions or terrain assessments.
Make it fit your day
Your walking-time scenario
Adjust the example pace and allowances to explore your own plan. This calculator uses your inputs, so it may differ from the directory’s headline estimate.
Calculated walking time including your allowances
44 hr 46 min
2595 min for distance + 60 min for ascent + 30 min allowance.
This is an aggregate calculation for a long outing. It does not plan overnight stages, accommodation or recovery.
Formula: distance ÷ pace × 60 + ascent ÷ 100 × climbing allowance + stops. Travel to and from the route is additional. Terrain, descent, weather and navigation are not modelled. These results do not establish route suitability. Read the time-planning guide.
Recorded route measurements
The start and finish differ on this point-to-point route; arrange the return journey before setting out. The mapped distance is 173 km (108 mi), with 600 m (1,969 ft) of recorded ascent, with 619 m (2,031 ft) of recorded descent. The sampled elevation profile records a maximum grade of about 7%; this is a calculated value and may smooth short, steeper sections. The profile reaches 94 m (308 ft) from a recorded low of -1 m (-3 ft).
Highlights
- 173 km mapped point-to-point route
- Directory difficulty: expert
- 600 m (1,969 ft) recorded ascent
- High point: 94 m (308 ft)
- Recorded tag: Mountain
- Recorded tag: Waymarked route
- Recorded tag: Long-distance path
- Recorded as waymarked
Know before you go
- Season field
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Recorded as waymarked
- Surface
- Not recorded
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not recorded
- Entrance fee
- Not recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Not recorded as available
- Toilets
- Not recorded as available
- Mobile coverage
- Not verified
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 69/100
- Adventure
- 80/100
- Difficulty
- 100/100
- Accessibility
- 22/100
- Family
- 12/100
- Dogs
- 47/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Open the linked source record before departure to check whether the mapped relation has changed.
- Save the route line offline; a map download is useful regardless of expected phone coverage.
- Use 7 days as estimated moving time, then add your own allowance for stops, conditions and daylight.
- Confirm return transport and its operating hours before starting this point-to-point route.
- Carry enough food and water for the full route; water availability is not established by the map data.
- Follow local access rules and leave no litter or food waste behind.
Warnings
- This guide does not contain live information about closures, hazards, snow, flooding or path condition.
- The finish is separate from the start, so a missed transport connection can materially extend the outing.
Safety
Emergency services in United States can be reached on 911. Share your route and expected return time with someone before leaving. The directory has no verified coverage map or live trail-status feed, so do not rely on phone reception or this page alone. Turn around when conditions, access or your remaining time no longer match the plan.
What to bring
- Footwear suited to the current surface and conditions
- Weather layers appropriate to the local forecast
- Offline route map and a backup navigation method
- Food and water for the planned time plus a reserve
- Charged phone and a small first-aid kit
- Head torch and an extra warm layer for a longer outing
Photography
Photo locations are not mapped in the source data for Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (right bank). Stay on permitted ground, keep clear of edges and moving water, and never block the route while setting up. Check local rules before using a tripod or drone, especially inside protected areas.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Prepare for this walk
All planning articles →Understanding the map
Download a GPX route and check it before leaving
Take a route into your navigation app, check the imported line and understand what a GPX download does and does not contain.
Read article →Planning your day
Loops, out-and-backs and point-to-point return plans
Work out what a route's shape means for distance, endpoints and getting back after the walk.
Read article →Sources and confidence
What open route data can tell you—and what to verify locally
Distinguish source records, calculated estimates and missing details before relying on a route page.
Read article →Trails near Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (right bank)
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