18 Oct The BEST Hike in Harpers Ferry: Maryland Heights Trail

You will not find a better view of Harpers Ferry than that provided at the top of the Maryland Heights Trail. After a 4.5 mile (~7.2 kilometer) hike with over 1,000 feet (~305 meters) in elevation gain, you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the town of Harpers Ferry as well as of the river crossing. To access the trail and arrive at the overlook, cross the footbridge, walk along the C&O Canal, begin hiking uphill at the trailhead, and continue onto the Overlook Trail. However, do note the trail is steep. I underestimated the trail I bit before I conquered it, so do not make the same mistake as me.

Contents:

1) Location of the Maryland Heights Trail

2) Overview of Harpers Ferry

3) General Trail Information

4) Trailhead Directions

5) Arriving at the Scenic Overlook

6) Alternative Trail Option: Stone Fort Trail

7) Recommended Items to Bring

1) Location of the Maryland Heights Trail 

When people talk about the Maryland Heights Trail, they often say it is located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. This is fairly accurate, for the hike to the trailhead begins by crossing a footbridge over the river. That footbridge connects to the town of Harpers Ferry. However, the actual trailhead of Maryland Heights begins on the other side of the river – the Maryland side. That being said, the trail is technically located in Knoxville, Maryland.

That might have been a bit confusing, but know that most people will still refer to the Maryland Heights trail as being in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia due to the fact you have to walk from Harpers Ferry to access it. 

For reference, the town of Harpers Ferry is one and a half hours northwest of Washington, DC. You can thus easily plan a day trip to DC from Harpers Ferry. I recommend you hike the Billy Goat Trail Section A, rent a paddle boat on the Tidal Basin, and plan a unique date night in Arlington, VA.

Parking for the Maryland Heights Trail

You have a couple of options regarding parking in order to access the trailhead. First, the closest parking available is at the train station along the river. From the station, it is just a short walk to the footbridge that crosses the river and leads you to the trailhead. However, parking is about $20 here. Second, you can choose to park at the visitor’s center, which is located at the end of Shoreline Drive. Parking is also around $20 here for the day, and they offer a free bus shuttle to the main street of Harpers Ferry.

Third, you can park on the side of the street before entering town. Washington Street is the one main road from which to access the town of Harpers Ferry, and there is plenty of parking along the side of it. Do note this is not free parking but rather you pay through ParkMobile for about $2 per hour. However, how close vs. how far to the town you are able to park depends on how busy it is the day you visit. We visited on a Saturday in October, and we had to park about a half mile (~0.8 kilometers) or so outside of town. Please also note that this street is on a hill. Therefore, you will be walking downhill into town but uphill when returning to your car.

As a note, there is no parking available along the streets in town. However, it is not an issue to park a bit outside of town and then walk into town. Harpers Ferry is fairly small, and thus you can walk from one end to the other in 10 or 15 minutes.

Nearby Lodging

There are a few lodging accommodations available in the town of Harpers Ferry. Otherwise, you can consider staying in Washington, DC for the weekend and driving just an hour to Harpers Ferry for the day.

Nearby Airports

There are a few nearby regional and municipal airports, though they are all fairly small. The closest international airport is Dulles International Airport, which is located only 50 minutes southeast. There are a few public transportation options available from the airport to Harpers Ferry, though do be aware they will take around three hours. You can also choose to rent a car from the airport or utilize a ride share service such as Uber. 

Overlook area on the Maryland Heights Trail

2) Overview of Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry is mainly known for two things: (1) its historic nature (2) its array of adventure activities.

Historic Nature

In relation to its historic nature, the town became quite important for the military before and during the Civil War. George Washington noticed the convenient location of the town, specifically in relation to the fact it exists at the meeting point of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. He therefore established an armory in the town in the late 1700s. That marked the beginning of Harpers Ferry’s industrial boom.

However, the history of Harpers Ferry during the Civil War becomes a bit more complicated. The town was quite difficult to defend due to its location as it is surrounded by higher ground on almost all sides. Confederate forces held the town, then Union forces held the town, then Confederate forces, then Union forces…you get the idea. In a span of just four years, the primary force holding the town changed 14 times. To put that in perspective, that is a change of about three or four times per year.

In September of 1862, Confederate forces attacked Union forces stationed in Harpers Ferry. The result was a Confederate win and one of the largest surrenders of U.S. troops before World War II.

Some of the battlegrounds and historic buildings constructed during the war unfortunately no longer remain today. However, the National Park Service has declared Harpers Ferry a National Historic Park, and thus they have utilized their resources to preserve what they can. That being said, you can still visit the town today and see a few historical battlegrounds and other attractions.

Everyone crowded around for the best view

Adventure Activities 

You already know of one adventure activity in Harpers Ferry…the Maryland Heights Trail. At the top of the hike you are rewarded with a stunning overlook of the town as well as of the rivers.

Additionally, multiple tour companies operate on the rivers with white water as well as lazy rafting tours. The white water rafting tours take you through Class I to Class III rapids. You can choose to do so on a large raft with a guide or on an inner tube by yourself. However, maybe you are looking for more of a relaxing adventure? Then the lazy tubing tour is the one for you. Enjoy floating down a calm portion of the river for a couple of hours.

I have done a white water rafting as well as a white water tubing tour in Harpers Ferry, and I enjoyed both of them. They offered an adrenaline rush as I went over rapids, but each route also had a few calmer sections where I could relax for a moment. If you asked which I enjoyed more, I might say the tubing tour. However, that would be because I have also gone white water rafting in New River Gorge National Park. The New River has Class III to Class V rapids, and thus the tours there offer a bit more of a thrill.

The tour companies also generally offer a few aerial activities, for example ziplining and high ropes courses. While I have not yet gone on one of those tours yet, I plan to do so at some point in the future.

The New River Gorge National Park area in West Virginia also has a bunch of adventure activities, so be sure to check them out if planning a trip to the area anytime soon. 

View of Harpers Ferry plus the Potomac River

3) General Trail Information

Maryland Heights Trail is an approximately 4.6 mile (~7.4 kilometer) out and back trail with 1,150 feet (~350 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in two hours and 30 minutes. Additionally, it is considered a moderate route in terms of difficulty. The trail has some flatter portions, but the majority of it is steep. According to All Trails, the steepest portion has a 12% grade.

As a note, the distance of 4.6 miles (~7.4 kilometers) starts from the Footbridge to C&O Canal and Maryland Heights. You must begin the hike by crossing this footbridge due to the fact there is no parking available at the trailhead. More information on trailhead directions is in the next section.

Furthermore, there were so many dogs along the trail. While some people might not care about this, I love seeing dogs while out and about, and it thus enhanced my experience. Additionally, I saw a beagle being carried in a backpack, which is just about the cutest thing ever.

Lastly, please note that the trail is only open during daylight hours according to the National Park Service website. It is closed from sunset to sunrise. 

Our Hiking Time – Maryland Heights Trail

In terms of timing, we walked at a nice pace with only a few short breaks and made it to the viewpoint (from the footbridge) in about one hour and 15 minutes. It then took us about one hour to descend. Overall, we hiked for approximately two hours and 15 minutes. However, we also spent about 30 minutes at the overlook snapping some pictures and taking in the views. Therefore, our total time spent on the trail was two hours and 45 minutes.

Taking in views of the town from the Maryland Heights Trail

Trail Conditions

The trail is somewhat maintained as it is mainly a dirt/rock trail. Some portions of the trail have small, loose rocks while other portions have larger rocks. Some of the larger rocks can be utilized as steps, and additionally there are a few well-placed logs along the way to act as steps. Please note there are no formal steps along the trail but rather some partially-made ones here and there, mainly during the steeper sections.

Furthermore, the trail is mostly in the shade. This is great news if you plan to hike in the summer, for you can avoid the relentless heat of the sun. We hiked in October with the temperature in the mid 70s, and even at that time I was happy to be hiking in the shade. However, a few small sections of the trail as well as the overlook are in the full sun.

Relaxing at the top of the Maryland Heights Trail

Busyness of the Trail – Maryland Heights Trail

Depending on when you visit, the trail can become quite busy. We visited on a Saturday in October and started the hike around one in the afternoon. The trail was busy, and we probably saw a few hundred people hiking with us that day. However, it was never too busy that we felt as though that impacted our experience. When we arrived at the viewpoint, there were dozens of people sitting around and taking pictures. Nevertheless, we just had to wait a minute or two for the best picture spot before moving on.

If you want to avoid some of the crowds, I would recommend hiking on a weekday or beginning the hike earlier in the morning.

Additional Information

There are a few other important items to note. First, there are no restrooms located along the trail. Use the restroom beforehand or be prepared to use nature as your bathroom. Second, there are no water sources located along the trail. Please please please bring enough water with you for the hike. While each person is different in terms of how much water they need/drink on hikes, I would recommend at least a 32 ounce bottle. Bring even more if you are hiking in hot weather.

River views from the top of the Maryland Heights Trail

4) Trailhead Directions – Maryland Heights Trail

The directions component of this trail is where people can get slightly confused. I did research on the trail before I went, but there was still a point or two where I was not quite sure where to go. Thankfully someone else on the trail knew where they were going and could point me in the right direction. I will explain everything in detail here so you do not experience any confusion yourself.

Cross the Footbridge and Walk Along the C&O Canal

The first step is to arrive in Harpers Ferry and then make your way to the Footbridge to C&O Canal and Maryland Heights. This footbridge is right beside The Point, which is a viewpoint of the meeting of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. While the trailhead does not start at the footbridge, this is the starting point used to determine the mileage of the trail. Why, you might ask? Well, everyone hiking Maryland Heights Trail has to cross the footbridge due to the fact there is no parking available at the trailhead.

Views from The Point within the town of Harpers Ferry

Walk across the footbridge and down the staircase on the other side. The footbridge can become quite busy at times. We walked across while in a long line of people, some carrying bikes with them. Once you descend the staircase, turn to the left and walk along the C&O Canal Towpath. The path remains parallel to the river on the left side, and you will walk along it until you come to a short bridge on your right side. Walk across the short bridge then cross the road. At that point, you will be at the Maryland Heights Trailhead.

The total distance from the start of the footbridge to the trailhead is approximately 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers). The footbridge is almost 0.2 miles (0.3 kilometers) long and the walk along the C&O Canal Path is around 0.3 miles (0.5 kilometers) long.

Walking along the C&O Canal Path

Begin Hiking at the Maryland Heights Trail Marker

Once you see the trailhead, you will begin to hike uphill along the path. The path is about four feet (~1.2 meters) wide and somewhat maintained, so you should not have to wonder if you are headed in the correct direction at this point.

As a fair warning, this is where the trail starts to become steep; it wastes no time in getting your heart rate up and your legs burning. While it starts out as somewhat steep, it then becomes even more steep as you go along. The highest incline grade you will encounter is 12% according to All Trails. We took two or three water breaks on the way up, and we also saw a bunch of others taking breaks as well.

However, maybe you enjoy steep hiking trails and the challenge they present. Well, then you absolutely must check out the three most difficult hikes in Zion National Park. 

The start of the Maryland Heights Trail

Fork in the Path: Continue to Overlook Trail 

Approximately one mile (~1.6 kilometers) into the hike you will come to a fork in the path with a sign. The sign offers information on the Stone Fort Trail vs. the Overlook Trail. The Stone Fort Trail leads to the summit of the mountain. It is a longer and steeper hike, though eventually it loops and connects back to the Overlook Trail. From this point, it is a 3.3 mile (~5.3 kilometer) hike. On the other hand, the Overlook trail leads directly to the viewpoint. It is shorter and less steep – what more could you ask for? From this point, it is a 1.4 mile (~2.3 kilometer) hike.

We opted for the Overlook Trail as we were most interested in the viewpoint. Additionally, if you find other articles talking about the Maryland Heights Trail, they are most likely talking about the Maryland Heights + Overlook Trail.

I will talk more about the option to hike the Stone Fort Trail in section six below.

Informational panel on the Maryland Heights Trail

Additional Forks in the Path: Keep Right

The previous fork in the path is not the last one you will encounter. There are two more forks following this sign, but the directions are fairly simple – keep to the right. If you are hiking on a weekend in the afternoon, there will likely be a lot of people on the trail with you. Therefore, you can just follow the crowds if you happen to forget one aspect of these directions. They will most likely lead you the correct way.

Head Downhill to the Overlook

After the last fork in the path, you will start to hike downhill. The trail is once again fairly steep at this section, so be sure to watch your balance as the path holds some loose dirt and rocks. The hike downhill to the overlook is approximately 0.5 miles (~1.6 kilometers) and descends a few hundred feet (~90 meters). However, you will be well rewarded with beautiful views once you arrive at the overlook. Trust me, the views from the overlook were even better than what I was expecting. 

Panoramic view of Harpers Ferry from the Maryland Heights Trail

5) Arriving at the Scenic Overlook

You finally made it! After hiking across the footbridge, along the C&O Canal, and up the Maryland Heights Trail, you have arrived at the overlook. The hike might take your breath away in terms of difficulty, but the view will take your breath away in terms of beauty. Pictures cannot even do it justice. 

The overlook area is generally a bunch of open rocks. You are welcome to walk around the rocks to find the best picture spot. However, exercise caution as there are no guard rails or fences along the edge of the rocks.

At the overlook you will be rewarded with an overview of the town of Harpers Ferry as well as of the rivers and the point at which they meet.

Additional Overlook Area – Maryland Heights Trail

The trail takes you to the main overlook area, which is fairly large. Dozens of people were there when we arrived, and we still had no trouble walking around and finding a good picture spot. Nevertheless, we saw another rocky overlook area to our left, and only a few people were over there. There is a small path, which is only about a foot (~0.3 meters) wide, that leads over to these rocks. We followed that path and then made our way along the rocks to get closer to the edge. The view from here is just as beautiful as the view from the other viewpoint area. As a bonus, it is less crowded, though it is a smaller area.

If you find yourself in New River Gorge National Park, the Endless Wall Trail offers the best views of the river and bridge.

Rocky view of Harpers Ferry from the overlook area

6) Alternative Trail Option: Stone Fort Trail

Once you come to the first fork in the road on the Maryland Heights Trail, you will see a sign that details options for the Stone Fort Trail vs. the Overlook Trail. Continuing on the Overlook Trail brings you directly to the scenic overlook, which is the main trail that people hike along.

However, the Stone Fort Trail brings you to the summit of the mountain before looping down to connect with the Overlook Trail. The trail is thus longer and steeper. For reference, it is a 3.3 mile (~5.3 kilometer) loop trail from the sign. Additionally, the Stone Fort Trail has a few hundred feet (~110 meters) of additional elevation gain compared to the Overlook Trail.

In addition to passing the scenic overlook while hiking, you will also pass various Civil War ruins. For example, you will see the leftover remains of an encampment. Lastly, there are a few informal overlooks of the Potomac River along the trail.

A few colors of fall beginning to appear in Harpers Ferry

7) Recommended Items to Bring – Maryland Heights Trail

1. Water bottle: Please please please be sure to bring water with you while hiking the Maryland Heights Trail. I do not mean bring water and leave it in your car. Nope. Carry your water around with you as you hike along the trail. Water is even more important if you are visiting in the summer, for the heat can make you become dehydrated real quick. For example, I always carry around my Yeti water bottle.

Hygiene

2. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Walking around even for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin.

3. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy an attraction if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet.

Hiking Items 

4. Hiking shoes: Be sure to wear a pair of hiking shoes when you conquer the trail. 

5. Hiking poles: Bring along a pair of hiking poles if you would like a bit of extra support while hiking up the Maryland Heights Trail. The trail has around 1,150 feet (~350 meters) of elevation gain, so hiking poles can definitely come in handy.

6. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice along the trail. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

View of the river from the Maryland Heights Trail

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Take a short drive to Washington, DC: Scott’s Run Falls Hike Outside of DC.

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