Thank you for keeping your pets, children, and yourself on designated trails. This helps protect the natural communities.

E= Easy
M= Moderate
D = Difficult

Trail Descriptions

Appalachian Trail (MD): The Appalachian Trail, which goes from Georgia to Maine, goes through Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The town of Harpers Ferry is considered the psychological midpoint of the 2,190-mile trail, and is also the location of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters. On the Maryland side of the park, the Appalachian Trail follows the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath.

• Miles (km): 5.75 (9.25)
• Painted trail blaze: white
• Difficulty: E
• For: hikers

Appalachian Trail (WV): The Appalachian Trail, which goes from Georgia to Maine, goes through Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The town of Harpers Ferry is considered the psychological midpoint of the 2,190-mile trail, and is also the location of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters. In the West Virginia part of the park, the Appalachian Trail crosses Loudoun Heights and goes through the town of Harpers Ferry.

• Miles (km): 2.98 (4.79)
• Painted trail blaze: white
• Difficulty: D
• For: hikers

Bolivar Heights Trail: Near the Bolivar Heights parking lot, you’ll get beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Potomac River water gap, and the Shenandoah Valley. There is a good example of the Basic Oak - Hickory Forest on the northern side of the loop. To connect this trail to the Schoolhouse Ridge North Trail, walk across Bakerton Road, being very careful to watch for traffic.

• Miles (km): 2.16 (3.47)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: M
• For: hikers

C and O Canal Towpath (East): The towpath is a dirt and gravel path that follows the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. The path was once used by mules that were pulling barges up and down the canal. Today it’s used by bikers and hikers. “East” refers to the part of the towpath in the park that is east of the railroad bridge that crosses the Potomac at Harpers Ferry.

• Miles (km): 2.58 (4.15)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: E
• For: hikers, bikers, horses

C and O Canal Towpath (West): The towpath is a dirt and gravel path that follows the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. The path was once used by mules that were pulling barges up and down the canal. Today it’s used by bikers and hikers. “West” refers to the part of the towpath in the park that is west of the railroad bridge that crosses the Potomac at Harpers Ferry.

• Miles (km): 77.43 (124.6)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: E
• For: hikers, bikers, horses

Loudoun Heights Orange Trail: You can put together a 7.5-mile hike on Loudoun Heights using a series of trails including the Appalachian Trail, the Loudoun Heights Orange Trail, and the Loudoun Heights Blue Trail. The Orange Trail traverses the northwest flank of the ridge, connecting the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Trail.

• Miles (km): 0.70 (1.13)
• Painted trail blaze: orange
• Difficulty: D
• For: hikers

Loudoun Heights Blue Trail: You can put together a 7.5-mile hike on Loudoun Heights using a series of trails including the Appalachian Trail, the Loudoun Heights Orange Trail, and the Loudoun Heights Blue Trail. The Blue Trail follows the top of the Loudoun Heights ridge, ending at Split Rock Viewpoint, with a view of Harpers Ferry and the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah.

• Miles (km): 1.56 (2.51)
• Painted trail blaze: blue
• Difficulty: D
• For: hikers

Maryland Heights Trail: This trail climbs up Maryland Heights from the Potomac, branching off into two trails: the Maryland Heights - Stone Fort Trail and the Maryland Heights - Overlook Cliff Trail.

• Miles (km): 0.76 (1.22)
• Painted trail blaze: green
• Difficulty: D
• For: hikers

Maryland Heights - Overlook Cliff Trail: This trails ends at the Maryland Heights Overlook, a cliff-top perch that offers a fantastic view of the two rivers and the town of Harpers Ferry far below. Near the overlook, you’ll walk through a good example of the Basic Woodland.

• Miles (km): 0.67 (1.07)
• Painted trail blaze: red
• Difficulty: D
• For: hikers

Maryland Heights - Stone Fort Trail: This U-shaped trail follows the ridge of Maryland Heights, offering views of the Stone Fort and several natural communities, including the Dry-Mesic Chestnut Oak - Northern Red Oak Forest and the Chestnut Oak Forest. It connects to both the Maryland Heights Trail, and the Maryland Heights - Overlook Cliff Trail.

• Miles (km): 2.34 (3.76)
• Painted trail blaze: blue
• Difficulty: D
• For: hikers

Murphy-Chambers Farm Trail: This trail offers fields, forests, Civil War history, and views of the Shenandoah River.

• Miles (km): 1.58 (2.54)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: E/M
• For: hikers

Schoolhouse Ridge North Trail: This trail traverses fields that were the site of Civil War action, including the Battle of Harpers Ferry, September 12-15, 1862. To connect this trail to the Bolivar Heights Trail, walk across Bakerton Road, being very careful to watch for traffic.

• Miles (km): 1.0 (1.61)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: M
• For: hikers

Schoolhouse Ridge South Trail: This series of trails traverses fields that were the site of Civil War action, including the Battle of Harpers Ferry, September 12-15, 1862. The trails also pass through or along some successional forests.

• Miles (km): 3.3 (5.32)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: M
• For: hikers

Virginius Island Trail: This trail along the Shenandoah River connects the Virginius Island (Hall’s Island) Trail and the Virginius Island Trail (side trail).

• Miles (km): 0.33 (0.53)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: M
• For: hikers

Virginius Island (Hall’s Island) Trail: This trail along the Shenandoah winds through the Rich Floodplain Forest. It connects to the Virginius Island Trail.

• Miles (km): 0.37 (0.59)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: M
• For: hikers

Virginius Island Trail (side trail): This trail offers views of the Shenandoah River.

• Miles (km): 0.1 (0.16)
• Painted trail blaze: none
• Difficulty: M
• For: hikers