Are you a fan of all things spooky? Then you may want to go on this allegedly haunted hike in Maryland. That is, if you’re feeling brave! Bring a friend and get ready for some chills. This path takes you through the historic Paw Paw Tunnel, which is full of history, including violence and even death. This place is one of the best hiking trails in Maryland, albeit slightly creepy, so get excited, and be sure to bring a flashlight!
You’ll find the 3,118-foot historic Paw Paw Tunnel along the C&O Canal Towpath in the Oldtown area (located at milepost 155.2). This section of the towpath is full of scenery, with lush greenery and even a waterfall that gently trickles down the surrounding rock wall. It’s a scenic area for a morning or afternoon hike.
The Paw Paw Tunnel dates back to 1836. It took over a decade to build and was finally opened to the public in 1850. It was constructed through Tower Hill as a cut-through to save on constructing six additional miles of the C&O Canal. The project proved to be challenging, and what was estimated as a two-year construction project ended up taking 14 years instead. Several factors caused severe challenges to the project, including the difficult landscape workers had to cut through, violence, labor issues, funding issues, etc.
During the many years it took to build Paw Paw Tunnel, workers became frustrated with long hours and lack of compensation, and violence often broke out among the men. Additionally, after the tunnel opened, boatmen refused to let other vessels pass through before them. Fires were often set inside the tunnel to smoke opposing boatmen out. They say all of this violence resulted in a few deaths over the years, and that those aggravated spirits now haunt the tunnel.
Bring a flashlight when you walk this abandoned tunnel hike in Maryland, and keep your eyes peeled. You just may spot unexplained, darting shadows. Some have even heard ghostly whispers as they enter this dark, desolate spot. Canal boats no longer pass through, but you can walk or bicycle along the side path that goes along one side of the tunnel.
If you’re feeling brave, keep this historic tunnel with a storied past in mind. There’s no other place quite like it in Maryland.
What did you think of this hike to an abandoned tunnel in Maryland? Have you had any paranormal experiences, such as seeing a ghost or another intriguing appearance or sound? Do you agree that it’s one of the best hikes in Maryland?…