Great Falls is the loudest the Potomac ever gets - a series of cascading rapids where the river drops through Mather Gorge on its way toward Washington. The Billy Goat Trail traces the Maryland side of that gorge on Bear Island, and it's really three separate trails stitched together by the C&O Canal towpath: Sections A, B, and C, each with its own personality.
Most people who say "I hiked the Billy Goat Trail" mean Section A. It's the famous one - the boulder scramble with river views that shows up on every "best hikes near DC" list. But treating all three sections as interchangeable is the most common mistake first-timers make.
Section A - The One Everyone Talks About
1.7 miles, strenuous. Section A starts near the Old Angler's Inn parking area and heads out onto Bear Island, tracing the top of Mather Gorge. This is genuine scrambling: boulder-hopping, a steep climb along an exposed cliff face above the river, and a couple of spots where you'll want both hands free. It's not technical climbing, but it demands attention, decent footwear, and a reasonable comfort level with heights.
The reward is constant - near-continuous views down into the gorge, with kayakers and rock climbers often visible working the same terrain you're navigating from above. Section A closes when the Potomac is running high, since parts of the route sit close enough to the water to become genuinely dangerous in flood conditions. Check trail status before you go if there's been recent heavy rain.
Section B - The Middle Ground
1.4 miles, moderate. Section B has only one brief scramble and otherwise stays more forgiving underfoot. It's a good option if you want a taste of the gorge scenery without committing to the sustained boulder navigation of Section A, or if you're hiking with someone who isn't sure about A's exposure.
Section C - The Easy Option
1.6 miles, easy. No scrambling at all. Section C winds through shaded forest - maples, sycamores, box elders - crosses a small footbridge, and passes a modest waterfall. It runs closest to the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, which makes it the natural choice for families, casual walkers, or anyone easing back into hiking.
Linking Them Together
The three sections don't connect directly to each other - you link them via the flat, wide C&O Canal towpath, which runs parallel to the whole system. Hikers looking for a full day out will often combine all three sections plus the towpath connectors into a loop of roughly 8 miles, taking 4 to 5 hours. It's a satisfying way to experience the full range of the gorge without repeating terrain, and the towpath sections give your legs an easy recovery stretch between the more technical parts.
Great Falls Overlook
Don't skip the main overlook near the visitor center - a short, paved walk from the parking area gets you to a platform looking straight down the falls themselves. It's worth doing even if you're short on time or the trails are closed for high water.
Tips From the Trail
- Footwear matters on Section A - trail runners or hiking shoes with real grip; this isn't a sneakers hike.
- Check water levels before committing to Section A after heavy rain; the park closes it during high-flow conditions for good reason.
- Bikes aren't allowed on the Billy Goat sections, only on the towpath.
- Parking fills early at Old Angler's Inn on nice weekends - arrive before mid-morning or plan to park along MacArthur Boulevard.
- A park entrance fee applies for the Great Falls Tavern area; check current rates before you go.
Getting There
The Maryland side trailheads sit along MacArthur Boulevard in Potomac, roughly 25–35 minutes from downtown D.C. depending on traffic. Note that Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the river is a separate unit with its own entrance and trail system - make sure your directions land you on the Maryland side for the Billy Goat Trail.