The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is a network of land and water trails stretching from the forks of the Ohio River near Pittsburgh to the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Potomac River. It offers hiking, biking, and paddling routes through the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, and Allegheny Highlands, including close access to the Potomac along the C&O Canal towpath. In Brunswick, the trails also connect visitors with the city's railroad history. From 1850 to 1924, towns along the Potomac River such as Brunswick, Maryland, used the canal to ship goods to market, and today the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath forms 184.5 miles of the trail system. Along the river, hikers and bikers pass historic structures, canal towns, and diverse landscapes, while kayakers and canoers follow water trails where they may see great blue herons, kingfishers, or river otters.