ThePotomac Heritage Trail, also known as thePotomac Heritage National Scenic Trail or thePHT, is a designatedNational Scenic Trail corridor spanning parts of the mid-Atlantic region of theUnited States that will connect various trails and historic sites inVirginia,Maryland,Pennsylvania, and theDistrict of Columbia. The trail network includes 710 miles (1,140 km) of existing and planned sections,[1] tracing the natural, historical, and cultural features of thePotomac River corridor, the upperOhio Riverwatershed in Pennsylvania and western Maryland, and a portion of theRappahannock River watershed in Virginia. The trail is managed by theNational Park Service and is one of three National Trails that are official NPS units.[2]
Three substantial sections of the trail were in existence when the Potomac Heritage Trail officially became aNational Scenic Trail in 1983. These trails range fromhiking-only tomulti-use, illustrating the variety of the PHT route.[3]
Two partially completed routes within the District of Columbia—the 23-mile (37 km) Fort Circle Parks Trail, part of theCivil War Defenses of Washington, and a multi-use route betweenGeorgetown and Oxon Cove Park.
The Government Island Trail, the planned 5-mile (8.0 km) Historic Falmouth-Ferry Farm Trail, and the Aquia Creek Water Trail, all inStafford County, Virginia.
^Lillard, David; Talone, Ed."Hiking".Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail - DC, MD, PA, VA. National Park Service. RetrievedOctober 24, 2016.
^"Basic Information".Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail - DC, MD, PA, VA. National Park Service. RetrievedOctober 24, 2016.
^abcLillard, David Edwin; Talone, Ed (2006).Potomac Heritage Trail: A Hiker's Guide. West Newton, Pennsylvania: Great Allegheny Press.ISBN0-9717475-5-5.
^High, Mike (2000).The C&O Canal Companion. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press.ISBN978-0-8018-6602-9.
