Capital Crescent Trail - Aspen Hill, MD
The Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) is a shared use off-road trail from Georgetown, D.C. to Silver Spring, MD (currently closed and detoured between Bethesda and Silver Spring, reopens in 2026), suitable for walkers, joggers, bikers, and rollerbladers. The Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail, an all-volunteer organization, has spearheaded efforts since 1986 to develop this first-class shared use trail.
The CCT is a rail-trail, built on the former route of the 11 mile Georgetown Branch of the B&O (later CSX) Railroad. The Trail is complete as a 10" wide hard surface asphalt trail from Georgetown to Bethesda, with 5 notable bridges and a tunnel offering users gentle gradients, with grade-separated crossings at all but 2 roadways (Little Falls Parkway and Dorset Ave).
The trail was a mix of gravel and dirt from Bethesda to Lyttonsville in western Silver Spring, however that was closed in September 2017 for Purple Line light rail line construction on the Georgetown Branch right-of-way. When trail construction as part of the Purple Line project completes, tentatively in spring 2026, a 12 foot wide paved trail will run alongside it, almost entirely grade-separated between Bethesda and downtown Silver Spring. This shared use was anticipated from the beginning of the CCT, and is a core part of the Railbanking rules that enable many rail-trail conversions.
Purple Line construction completion was originally predicted for 2023/4, but now for late 2027. A large part of the delay is due to 3 lawsuits brought against the project, and the resulting change of lead construction contractor after major contract disagreements in 2020. Another big delay source is the larger than projected number and complexity of utility relocations required. The CCT segment was supposed to open when the Purple Line started passenger service, but in May 2024 MDOT changed position, saying the CCT would open in spring 2026, over a year before the Purple Line. Our page on "The Purple Line and completing the CCT" has more information.
Learn more about Henry S. Blank, DDS and how our family dentist in Aspen Hill, MD supports the Capital Crescent Trail.