Take a Hike! (DMV)

Join us for a challenging Harpers Ferry hike with 1,027 feet of elevation gain! Enjoy the morning with old friends, make some new ones, and share plenty of conversation along the way. The route includes a sustained uphill section and is best suited for those with a good level of fitness who are comfortable maintaining a steady hiking pace. At the top, we’ll take a break and enjoy the sweeping views from Maryland Heights before heading back down. This is one of our more strenuous hikes, so please be sure you’re able to keep pace with the group.

From the town, we will take the Overlook Cliff Trail and hike up to Maryland Heights. At the Maryland Heights, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet and the picturesque town of Harpers Ferry below. This trail is moderately challenging, requiring good hiking shoes and some stamina. The climb involves a long and difficult incline of about 1,000 feet, but thankfully, it’s much easier going back down.

After enjoying the views, we’ll head back down and gather for an optional lunch and drink at Harpers Ferry Brewing. The weather will be nice, making it a perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy good conversation with new friends while taking in the spectacular scenery.

To learn more about the trail, click the link in the Trail Map section below.

Meeting Time & Location:
9:30 AM at the National Parks Visitor Center, located at 171 Shoreline Drive
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. We'll meet in front of the visitor center.

Distance: 4.11 miles

Elevation Gain: 1027 feet

Difficulty: Medium/Difficult
This hike is rated as one of our more difficult hikes, primarily due to the initial elevation gain of 1,027 feet. The trail is wide and well-maintained, with no stream crossings or rock scrambling involved. We'll take regular breaks during the more strenuous ascent to make the climb more manageable.

Estimated Duration
This hike is expected to take approximately 3 hours.

Pace: Moderate Pace
We’ll maintain a steady, comfortable pace with regular but brief breaks for a balanced mix of exercise and enjoyment.

Parking
Ample parking is available at the Visitor Center. Please note that you'll need to purchase a park entrance pass for $20 or have a National Parks Annual Pass (including the lifetime senior pass) to access the parking area.