Holiday Hike! American Chestnut-Southern Area w/Oriole Trail! A Moderate 7 Miles

American Chestnut Land Trust Southern Tract Including the Oriole Trail! A 7 Mile Moderate Hike

Early on a hot summer day, we will explore the South tract area of the American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) and especially the Oriole Trail, named in honor of Oriole birds that inhabit ACLT’s forests. The trail was completed early in 2024 by ACLT on land acquired to protect the Grosvenor watershed. We will hike past the remainder of the last American chestnut tree on the property and past newly planted hybrid trees. The trail leads through old marshland and former old fields, and past remains of early homesteads, including a 1900-1930 African American homestead ruin. We are hiking through the hills of several stream valleys. There are two steep hills on this trail, rewarding you with a bench to rest when you reach the top. The newly built Oriole trail starts by crossing Governors Run via a long bridge and then leads through the mature forest of the Yowell property, which ACLT acquired in 2021, and makes a full loop through the woods of the Kenwood property, ACLT’s southernmost property, with 3 more stream crossings on bridges. We return on the East Loop and Laurel Loop trails (named after the mountain laurels along its trail).

ACLT, in its own words, is a member-supported nature conservancy working to protect the natural lands, waterways, cultural landmarks, & wildlife habitats of the Parkers Creek & Governors Run watershed & to encourage conservation & preservation throughout Southern Maryland.

Trail Information
Activity: Hiking
Nearby City: Port Republic, MD
Length: 7.45 miles
Elevation gain: 650 ft
Trail Type: modified loop
Trail Surface: mostly dirt, stream crossings on bridges
Skill Level: Moderate
Facilities: Portable Toilet at Trailhead
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, snow, or shine. Click Here to view the forecast for the area where we will be hiking.

Directions to the Trailhead
38.512586,-76.518394
1985 Scientists Cliffs Road
Port Republic, MD 20676

Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 8:45 - 8:55 a.m.
The Hike is at 9:00 a.m.

NOTES
Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values:

• Fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette.
• Leave No Trace principles.

Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and certified hike leaders 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!

Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!

Christa: 410.610.6254

• 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.