Once you get beyond the Paw Paw Tunnel, the builders of the canal cut through nearly a 1/4 mile of mountain before reaching a natural valley between the hills which the C&O Canal follows until reaching the edge of the Potomac River nearly a mile further down. By tunneling through the mountain, it cuts off nearly a 6 mile bend in the Potomac.

If you look carefully, you can see kayakers paddling in nearly complete darkness in the Paw Paw Tunnel. I had my bike light on and used the flash but I could barely make them out in the darkness of the tunnel.

If you look carefully, you can see kayakers paddling in nearly complete darkness in the Paw Paw Tunnel. I had my bike light on and used the flash but I could barely make them out in the darkness of the tunnel.

After 3/4 of a mile in the Paw Paw Tunnel, much of it in almost complete darkness, reaching the north end of the tunnel is a refreshing show of light.

Riding back into the city after a nice afternoon bike ride down the bike path. Later on in the afternoon, I rode a ways into the Notch and the Great Allegheny Passage.

While the Paw Paw Tunnel is really neat and worth while, there isn't an awful lot across the river in the village of Paw Paw. A Dollar General, a Post Office and some houses but not much of a Main Street. But still worth poking around this small town.