pilgrimage

[David planning Le Chemin de St Jacques/El Camino de Santiago]

I think you could take the AT to at or near Harpers Ferry and then the
C&O Canal right into Georgetown.     You might want to skip the New England
part, this early in the year, and perhaps start at the Hudson River.

Depends on whether you want an enjoyable walk or an opportunity to meet
people and perhaps influence their thinking about politics.