THE CIVIL WAR TRAIL

The CWRT is a proposed project that consists of constructing a public park utilizing about 18 miles of unused railroad corridor owned by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plus about 6 miles of railroad corridor owned by CSX that still runs infrequent active trains on it.  The park will feature a trail, either paved or unpaved about 10 feet in width.  The “rail-trail” will be inside the 6 + 18 = 24-mile long corridor that has an average width of 66 feet.  The trail path in the 6-mile active corridor will be situated about 12 feet from the existing CSX tracks and is sometimes called a “rail-with-trail.”

 

BENEFITS​

The CWRT will offer amenities such as family health, recreational, educational, cultural and commuting benefits and tourist attractions.   Unlike most other trails and parks in Washington County (WaCo), the CWRT is unique in that it will accommodate people of all ages and people with mobility impairments, i.e., handicapped – hence it can be called a “Family Health and Recreation Trail.”  Some examples of trail users include: a 2-year old boy riding in a stroller pushed by his mother; an 8-year old girl on her bike with training wheels; their 38-year old father riding on a mountain bike; their 85-year old grandmother in her wheel chair and their 86-year old grandfather moving on crutches.  Such extraordinary versatility is possible because steep upgrades and downgrades are avoided because of the gentle slopes required by the former rail road tracks.

​

 

TRAIL CONNECTIONS

The route of the trail runs in a generally north-south direction. The north end starts at the City Park in Hagerstown, then follows an active, but rarely used, CSX rail line for 6 miles, which ends near the Roxbury prison complex.  Continuing in a southerly direction for about 18 miles on this DNR-owned segment, the track rails together with about 30 bridges have been removed.  On this segment, the trail goes through the Roxbury prison complex, through the town of Keedysville, through Pleasant Valley and then terminates at Keep Tryst Road at the shore of the Potomac River. From this end point, trail users can follow the Appalachian Trail for a few hundred feet and connect with the C&O Canal towpath.   Following the towpath for about 3 miles in a westerly direction, you will be at Harpers Ferry.  Following the towpath for about 3 miles in an easterly direction, you will be at the MARC train station in Brunswick.  On the northern end, at City Park, the CWRT connects to the City’s new “Cultural Trail” that goes north into the downtown area.

 

 

POLITICAL JURISDICTIONS INVOLVED

​Three political jurisdictions are involved with the 24 miles of CWRT.  Approximately 2 miles are within the limits of the City of Hagerstown.  Approximately 4 miles are within Washington County. Both of these trail segments are currently owned by CSX.  The remaining 18 miles, where the track rails have been removed, are within Washington County, but the rail corridor land is owned by the (DNR), which is an agency of the State of Maryland.

​

​

CURRENT STATUS OF CWRT DEVELOPMENT​

At the time of this writing, March 2025, the proposed trail exists as a concept and a vision – although a few small segments of the trail currently can be used for walking. A few years ago, the 1.5 mile segment between Lappans Road (Rt 68) and Manor Church Road was reported to be usable.