A few weeks ago, on the long drive home from visiting family in the Chicago area, we took a side trip. We left the highway in Cumberland, and took 51 south and east toward Paw Paw, WV. The parking area for our hike was on the left side of the road, about 25 miles south of Cumberland. The dirt lot looked full, but we were able to park on the grassy meadow. There is also a small campground here and portable toilets.
We loaded up our gear, smeared on the sunscreen and bug spray and headed up the ramp toward the towpath. Our destination was the Paw Paw Tunnel. The Tunnel helped eliminate 6 miles on the canal and opened the route to Cumberland. It was supposed to take 2 years to build, but actually took 14 years and went vastly over budget! Stormy and Rainbow loved the idea of hiking though a tunnel, and Pebble was just happy to be out of the car!
It was a very busy trail, but the towpath was wide enough to social distance. It wasn’t a long walk until we came in sight of the tunnel.
The tunnel is over 3,000 ft long, and a flashlight is highly recommended! A flashlight also makes it possible to see the marks of time in the form of rope burns, weep holes, rub rails and brass plates. If you have a moment, definitely stop to read the signs just before the tunnel. Very interesting and informative!
The girls were fascinated with the tunnel, and nervous. It was a narrow path, and we often had to hug a wall to let people pass us. Social distancing was definitely not possible! I held Pebble’s hand because certain spots were slippery, and I was worried about her falling in the drink! Stormy loved using the flashlight to illuminate our path, but Rainbow held tight to hubby, she did not like the dark!
The tunnel was dark, damp and had a musty smell. It was also very cool! When the tunnel ended, we were still on a boardwalk inside a deep cut with rock walls on both sides. We could see evidence of the landslide that covered the towpath a while back.
We followed the towpath until it intersected the Tunnel Hill Trail. This trail took us up and over the tunnel…
Unlike the flat towpath, this trail went up! Pebble quickly tired of walking, and asked to be picked up. We passed several historic sites where the tunnel builders once lived, where the school was located, etc. It was a beautiful trail! It was also very well marked!
The highlight of the trail was the view we got of Paw Paw, WV and the Potomac River. Absolutely stunning!
After soaking in the view, we headed down and back to the car. The hike was around 3 miles, and a great leg stretcher! We did a picnic lunch near the car, and then continued our drive home. I highly recommend this hike if you are in the neighborhood! Happy trails!
Looks like a really fun adventure!!!