Dayhiking in Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia Dayhikes

No more than one hour away

loop - 4.6/1300

to overlook and back - 2.4/900

from town, add 1.4 (no climbing)

Location: Harpers Ferry, WV (where Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet)

Picture: View from Jefferson Rock, accessed via short trail from town.

Description: The trail takes you up a hill where you'll find the remains of fortifications and encampments made by the Union army during the Civil War. A number of signs along the way describe what you are seeing. Limited views can be had from the top. Overlook Cliff provides an excellent viewpoint of Harpers Ferry, the Potomac River, and the Shenandoah River.

Notes:

I like starting this hike from the town of Harpers Ferry. You cross a bridge and walk up along the C&O Canal to pick up the trailhead. When you get back, you can enjoy the town with its shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlors in addition to the many interesting historic sites. Although I did not rate this particularly high as a dayhike, it does get very high ratings as a fun place to spend the day.

Overlook Cliff can get very crowded.

Take some time to walk the Virginius Island trail, a 3/4 mile loop with interpretive markers which takes you past the remains of 19th century industry. It starts at the Shuttle Bus stop and quickly gets you away from much of the crowds.

The Appalachian Trail runs right through Harpers Ferry. Take it north to follow the C&O Canal for several miles and then climb to an excellent overlook at Weverton Cliffs. Go south past Jefferson Rock to cross the Shenandoah River and climb to some views at Loudon Heights. Or stop at the river and come back via the Virginius Island trail and then you can say that you've hiked the entire length of the AT in West Virginia.

Catoctin Mountain Park

Distance:

short loop - 8.7/1200

long loop - 10/1760 (includes Cat Rock)

Location: About 15 miles north of Frederick, MD, access from US 15.

Description: Walk over to Cunningham Falls, then hike up to some pleasant views and interesting rock outcroppings. The longer loop will also take you by a lake.

Notes:

There are many trails in this area, and many possibilities for shorter loops than the ones listed above.

Do not expect to get any feeling of remoteness here. The falls and lake are right next to parking lots, and the longer loop will have you crossing paved roads in 4 places.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Distance:

circuit - 8.1/1700

summit from upper parking - 0.5/350

Location: Access from I-270 about 10 miles southeast of Frederick, MD (can also be reached via Point of Rocks or Whites Ferry).

Map: Good on-line map.

Description: Sugarloaf Mountain, standing pretty much by itself, provides excellent views of the rolling farmland surrounding it. The quartzite outcroppings at the summit are also quite interesting. The remainder of the trail provides a few views, but is mostly just a nice hike through the woods.

Notes:

The summit gets very crowded.

Maps showing all the trails are available at the parking areas.

Prince William Forest Park

Distance:

Pyrite Mine loop: 6.1

Beaver loop: 7.5

combined loop: 12.0

full area loop: 15.6

Location: Access from I-95 at Quantico, about 20 miles south of Springfield, VA

Map: Map and other information from the National Park Service, and a smaller (but less detailed) map.

Description: A pleasant walk through mature forest and along some nice streams. Passes 2 very small waterfalls and the remains of an old Pyrite mine (which I've never actually seen since that part of the trail has been closed for reclamation for the last several years).

Notes:

The elevation changes are negligible, but there are a few short steep hills and long gradual grades.

This park is run by the National Park Service and there is an excellent map of all trails in their brochure, which you can pick up at the entrance station or the visitor center.

G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area

Distance (estimated):

lake loop - 7.2/1300 (includes wildflower loop)

wildflower loop - 2/300

Location: Just north of I-66 at Linden or Markham, VA (just east of Front Royal)

Picture: Large-flowered Trillium

Map: Good on-line map and other information.

Description: Most of the year, this is a rather ordinary walk on the Appalachian Trail along a rocky, forested ridge. In early May, however, the forest comes alive with what may be the largest collection of Large-flowered Trillium anywhere in North America.

Notes:

The wildflower loop, maintained by the Virginia Native Plant Society, gets very crowded when the Trillium are in bloom.

For quick access to the wildflowers, enter the western side of the area and stop at the parking lot just after the road becomes gravel. The linked map above can be deceptive - the lot marked 5 on the map has a sign designating it as lot 6, and you'll pass some small unmarked radio towers just before you reach it, with the larger towers shown on the map just beyond.

Cascade Falls

Distance (elevation change estimated):

Morning Choice/Ridge Trail loop - 5.1/400

Rockburn Branch loop - add 1.2/120 to MC/RT loop

Cascade Falls Loop trail - 1.8/300

To the falls and back - 0.4/100

Location: Patapsco Valley State Park, Avalon area - just off I-95 a few miles south of Baltimore

Picture: Cascade Falls

Map: Detailed map may be purchased on-line for a small fee.

Description: Cascade Falls is a small but very pretty little spot on a side creek of the Patapsco River. The trail follows the scenic creek for a short distance and then continues through the forest, occasionally passing some large, open fields.

Notes:

These trails are heavily used by mountain bikers. Expect to share the trail.

Also at the trailhead is the swinging bridge, a pedestrian bridge which crosses the Patapsco River.

Patapsco Valley State Park is a very large park containing over 170 miles of trails. I've only had the chance to explore a very small portion of it.

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