Little Bennett Park! Moderate to Easy-Side-of-Strenuous 9 or 12-Mile Hike
Details
Hike in the Very Biodiverse Little Bennett Regional Park! A Moderate to Easy-Side-of-Strenuous 9 or 12-Mile Hike
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Mid Atlantic Hiking Group does not require proof of vaccination. Not all hikers may be vaccinated. Carpools with masks.
If you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 7 days, then please do not sign up. Also, inform the hike leader if you are diagnosed with Covid-19 within 7 days from the hike.
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This hike is only 20 miles from D.C. and about a 50-minute drive from Baltimore so is most convenient for more than two-thirds of our members!
Just a little northwest of Washington, Little Bennett Regional Park is a superlative hiking venue. It’s Montgomery County’s largest park, covering almost 3,650 acres (a small piece also juts into Frederick County). A park since 1975, it has the county’s largest expanse of continuous woodland, splendid scenery, much wildlife, a trail network, and few human users.
This hike is a challenging 12-mile grand tour, with about 1100 feet of elevation change. Those west of Little Bennett Creek are quite well signposted and in good shape. Most of these trails are off-limits to bikers and horse riders. Those in the more rugged eastern area are twice as hilly (says my altimeter).
Transition Hike!
This is an awesome transition hike for those interested in moving from moderate to strenuous hiking without having to drive hours out to the mountains to see if you are ready for it! It is not too long, but with options of 9 and 12 miles it certainly is not short. It also has plenty of rolling hills to help develop your hiking legs and about 1100 feet of elevation change!
Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Frederick
Trail Traffic: Usually very light; light at its heaviest!
Trail surface: Mostly dirt, plus some gravel, grass, pine needles; rocky, rooty, muddy in places
Scenery: Wooded hills, meadow vistas, stream valleys.
Exposer: Shady, Less so in winter
Length of Hike: 9-12 total miles
Elevation Gain: ~1100 ft for 12 miles
Trail Type: Modified Loop
Skill Level: Between Moderate and Easy-Side-of-Strenuous (Excellent for transitioning from moderate to strenuous hiking)
Facilities: None at the trailhead; portable bathroom a mile into hike; bathrooms at Hawk's Activity Center and campgrounds.
Park Entry Fee
There is no park entrance fee.
Gear Suggestions
Click Here for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.
Weather Information
We hike rain or shine. Click Here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking! to view the forecast for the area where we will be hiking.
Our RSVP and Group Etiquette
Click Here to review our RSVP policies and group etiquette.
Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions to Where We Meet for this Hike.
Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 9:15-9:25 a.m.
The Hike is at 9:30 a.m.
Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values:
Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and qualified MAHG members who volunteer as leaders for Mid-Atlantic Hiking Groups volunteer leadership team. Click Here to become a part of the team! MAHG volunteers and members are very supportive, and encouraging, with a focus on safety while enjoying the excellent camaraderie and benefiting from the many health benefits of hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHGs core values, as is our dedication to the conservation of our natural resources and our commitment to the organization's mission.
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a volunteer supported tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization and donations ARE tax-deductible.
Tax ID: 47-5141831
A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike -- But Please Make Certain They Are Up to The Distance!
Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!
Christa: 410.610.6254
Tim: 202.744.0289
• Donations to Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group are Tax Deductible.
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization.
• Click here to Learn more about Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s Mission.
