Trails near Maryland?

Join DC UL Backpacking on Meetup. Lots of trips.

I just did the MD section of the AT a couple weeks ago — it was about 90 minutes from my hotel in Baltimore. Looking at maps while I was there, there are lots of opportunities in West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvannia (I have done several hikes in PA). Just get a big road map and head to the places with few roads.

Thanks I joined the Meetup group and it looks like they run a lot of trips so I'm excited for that.

Nick, I actually read your writeup on it and really enjoyed it. I look forward to doing it myself.

have you checked this site out:

http://www.midatlantichikes.com/

Steven, I had not been on that site before but thanks for the link. Looks to have a lot of trails in the area!

This book is awesome:
AMC's Best Backpacking in the Mid-Atlantic: A Guide To 30 Of The Best Multiday Trips From New York To Virginia
http://www.amazon.com/dp/193402886X/?ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_tiqhtb0SNYP3NK6R

Frederick & Washington counties in Maryland have a lot of parkland. One of my favorite places is Catoctin Mountain Park: http://www.nps.gov/cato/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

Maryland DNR (Dept of Natural Resources) website is a good resource.
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

A lot of people like the C&O Canal towpath but the surface is often packed so hard it's more like a paved road walk (better for biking). The campsites are overused too, very hardpacked ground (hammock would be preferable). But it is beautiful down there, lots of flora & fauna.

You'll be a couple of hours from northern VA, could be (much) longer depending on traffic which is usually pretty miserable in the Baltimore/DC area. PA is probably a better bet in terms of travel time. There are some amazing place in VA though.

Checkout the trails in Green Ridge SP. i helped with some of the routings to make the trail more "enjoyable" when it was added as part of the Great Eastern Trail. i still have my gate key and gas pump key. maybe i should return those ;)

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/StateForests/pdfs/GRSF_map.pdf

"annapolis Rock" is a good section the AT in maryland. When you get to the cliffs, they have plenty of rock climbers 'hanging' around (pun intended).

I've heard good things about "Gunpowder falls" in maryland.

And I think you have some good kayaking rivers up that way. Harpers ferry at the West va border certainly does.