The Appalachian Trail is a footpath across 2,168 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines from Georgia to Maine. Almost 40 miles of the A.T., as it is affectionately known, cross Maryland, most of which follow the ridgeline of South Mountain.
In 1921, Benton MacKaye, a Harvard-educated forester and self-styled philosopher, came up with a revolutionary idea: a linear park, extending from Georgia to Maine. Thousands of volunteers and many legislators helped make it happen. With the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the trail became a reality by 1937.
Trail users of all types enjoy the A.T. -- most just for short day hikes or an overnight backpacking trip. Others set out for weeks or months on the trail. Hundreds of people each year "thru-hike" the trail -- hike the entire length of the trail in one season. This takes four to six months, lots of planning, and incredible strength of body and mind. Others who hike the entire trail may take many years to do it, as time, money and other constraints restrict them to doing a section at a time. Either way, it is a rewarding experience.
Maryland's 40 miles are considered fairly easy by A.T. standards, with only a 1,650 foot change in elevation from the low point at the Potomac River (250' elevation) to the high point at High Rock (1,900' elevation). There are few rocks and steep climbs compared to other parts of the trail in other states. However, it still offers plenty of challenges and some impressive scenery. For beginning backpackers, those getting in shape for longer trips, and those with just a few days to spend on the trail, the entire length of trail in Maryland can be done in a four or five day backpacking trip. Trail shelters and backpackers' campgrounds are spaced approximately a day's hike apart.
Scenic overlooks and historic sites provide a great destination for those looking for a challenging day hike. Some popular day hikes include hiking from Greenbrier State Park to Annapolis Rock and Black Rock, from Greenbrier to Washington Monument State Park, and from Gathland State Park to Weverton Cliffs.
Remember, the Appalachian Trail can be strenuous with steep slopes and difficult footing. Please follow safe hiking practices. For more detailed information about the A.T. in Maryland, you can purchase the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club's Maps 5 and 6 -- Appalachian Trail across Maryland and the Appalachian Trail Guide to Maryland and Northern Virginia -- at the Greenbrier Visitor Center or Camper Registration Office.
Whether your goal is scenic beauty, history, bird and wildlife watching, exercise, or just wanting to get away from it all, the A.T. offers all these things and much more. Help protect the beauty of the trail by following Leave No Trace practices -- leave nothing but footprints, and take nothing from the trail but memories.
Popular Day Hikes Along the Appalachian Trail
Destination: Annapolis Rock (elevation (1700')
Access Point: Parking lot on Route 40, one-quarter mile east of Greenbrier. Follow blue blazed trail from parking lot to white blazed A.T. Turn right to go north on A.T.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.2 miles
Options for Return: Return by same trail to Route 40
Highlights: Annapolis Rock offers a fine view of Greenbrier Lake and Cumberland Valley to the west. Continue north on A.T. one mile to Black Rock, which also offers a westward view.
Destination: Washington Monument (elevation 1600')
Access Point: Parking lot on Route 40, one-quarter mile east of Greenbrier. Follow blue blazed trail from parking lot to white blazed A.T. Turn left to go south on A.T. (cross foot bridge over I-70)
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3 miles
Options for Return: Return by same trail to Route 40 or leave a second car at Washington Monument State Park
Highlights: The first monument to our nation's first President offers views to the east and west
Destination: Weverton Cliffs (elevation 750')
Access Point: Gathland State Park
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 6 miles
Options for Return: Return by same trail to Gathland or leave a second car at Weverton Road (an additional mile south of Weverton Cliffs on A.T.)
Highlights: Weverton Cliffs offers a view of the Potomac River and the area surrounding Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
Annapolis Rock
Are we loving it to death?
By 1st Sgt. Tammy McCorkle, Ranger Supervisor
South Mountain Recreation Area
Two campers gather bits of wood and start a fire near their tent. Clear water they collected earlier from a nearby spring will be used for cooking and drinking. From high atop a rock cliff, they have a spectacular view of the sun setting in the west. Over two miles from the nearest road, the pair backpacked in a few hours earlier. They are settling in for the night in the backcountry of South Mountain Recreation Area.
Sounds like an ideal experience for outdoor enthusiasts, doesn't it? In fact, thousands of people think so. On a weekend night when the weather is nice, over 100 people may hike the Appalachian Trail two and a half miles north of Route 40 to Annapolis Rock to camp overnight in a "wilderness setting." Hundreds of day hikers may visit on a beautiful day.
Annapolis Rock is a rock cliff that towers high above Cumberland Valley to the west, offering a fine view of the valley and of Greenbrier Lake. The rocks attract day hikers, rock climbers, photographers, picnickers, bird watchers and seekers of solitude, as well as overnight campers. With all this use, impact to the area is having a noticeable effect.
Every flat area near the rocks is totally void of vegetation from legions of tents being set up, destroying any new growth that may come up. Remnants of past fires render the soil sterile for any new growth as well. Dead and downed trees have long been cut up for firewood, so small live saplings have become fair game for those looking for wood to start a fire. Trash can be found on the cliffs, in the woods, and in old firepots. Toilet paper "flowers" are scattered in the woods. We are loving this beautiful area to death.
A group of Appalachian Trail professionals and volunteers, known as the Maryland Appalachian Trail Management Committee (MATMC), have become very concerned about the negative effects of the impact on this backcountry area. The MATMC, with consultation from Dr. Jeff Marion, a scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey who specializes in Recreational Impact Studies, has examined the problems at Annapolis Rock over the last year. According to Dr. Marion, Annapolis Rock is one of the most overused areas he has studied along the Appalachian Trail. Acting on Dr. Marion's recommendations, the MATMC has prepared a management plan to correct the damage at Annapolis Rock, while still allowing visitors to enjoy a back-country experience.
In October 2002, a crew will construct natural looking campsites further away from the rock cliff, in an area still thickly vegetated. The thicker vegetation will provide privacy from other campers and day visitors. Two privies will be constructed for campers and day visitors to use, lessening the impact on the soil and water source. In Spring 2003, the impacted areas surrounding the rocks will be closed off and re-vegetated. A caretaker will be hired to camp in the area throughout the camping season. The caretaker will be responsible for educating visitors on Leave No Trace ethics and regulations for the campground. Campfires will not be allowed, lessening the impact on vegetation and soil. Alcoholic beverages will also be prohibited. The campsites will hold up to a maximum of 60 people on a first come, first served basis. Any other campers will be directed to other places on the trail to camp.
With these management practices in place, the impacted areas should return to a more natural state within a few years. Visitors to the area will still be able to enjoy a backcountry experience for generations to come.
Walk of Life
The Appalachian Trail
Ranger Supervisor Tammy McCorkle shares her experiences, and those of other day hikers and thru-hikers, of what it's like to hike the Appalachian Trail in the Fall 2002 edition of The Natural Resource Magazine.
Return to Greenbrier State Park page
Return to Gathland State Park page
Return to South Mountain State Park page
Return to Washington Monument State Park page
Questions, comments, and suggestions can be directed to Maryland DNR.