Guides
From Georgetown to Calico Rocks Campground, this 48 miles is the first of four sections on the C & O Canal Towpath trail
This portion of the C & O Canal Towpath trail runs from Georgetown, near Washington D.C., to Point of Rocks, Maryland. Whether you are riding/hiking out and back or plan to go the distance on the C & O Canal, you will find plenty of camping, scenery, and wildlife in this first 50 mile stretch of trail. There are 30 hiker/biker campgrounds located...
A Moderate 4 Mile Trek
This hike features river views, a waterfall, wildflowers, amphibian breeding areas in spring, and some pretty interesting ruins as well. It includes palisades along the Potomac and the rocky lower end of Scotts Run." Copyright 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Washington, DC Published by Menasha Ridge Press. All Rights Reserved. Visitors have flocked to...
A 4.5 Mile Hike for Briding Near Valley View, Virginia
Bird Hike! Metro Friendly Huntley Meadows Park: A 4.6 Very Easy/Newbie Friendly Hike! Covering 1,424 acres just south of Alexandria, Huntley Meadows Park ranks as one of the metro area’s largest close-in parks. Whether you come to hike, wildlife watch or simply to relax, Huntley Meadows Park will provide you with a premiere nature experience...
Civil war bunkers, cannons, building and views!
Cannons, bunkers, buildings Oh My! The perfect Civil war park without the crowds. Plenty of huge cannons to defend Washington on the Potomac river entry. Lots of cannon emplacements, interpretive signs, and real civil war bunkers! The ammo dump is currently off limits. There are great water views with a building by the water, and a short half...
This trail runs from beautiful Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, to the stunning monuments of Washington D.C.
You will not believe how scenic some portions of this trail are. Whether you visit during spring, summer, winter, or fall, you'll see some gorgeous riverfront scenery and enjoy some unique and interesting stops along the way. Fortunately this trail is fairly easy to do out and back in one day, especially if you spend some recuperation time at Mount...
Wonderfully scenic trail at Great Falls Park, Virginia.
This figure-8 hike encompassed the narrow, rocky River Trail south from the Great Falls Visitor Center, and looped around. Lunch was held at the Riverbend Park Visitor’s center with comfortable deck seating and full view of the Potomac. The Terrain is mostly flat, and some rolling hills. One small rock scramble on the River Trail, as well as two to...
Nice flat loop around lovely Burke Lake. This is a mixed use trail for walkers, hikers, runners and bicyclists. The trail runs from concrete to gravel to dirt and is well maintained.
Farm hike through the fields and along the Potomac river, with artifacts and buildings!
Farm hike through the fields with animals, diverse field areas, small forest, and river views. start with an exploration of a working colonial farm, letting the kids pet some of the more friendly animals located there. Leave some of your party at the fishing pier while you hike the combined 3 mile trail around the perimeter of the park. Starting...
Solitude, and great remote picnic area!
Solitude, and a nice remote lunch spot! Thanks to the local Girlscouts for the work they have done in this nature area! This trail has tons of unique plants, a very diverse ecosystem with plenty of animals to see. Starting on an open field, the hike goes through the openness passing some small BLM-owned buildings. To the right of the 1st intersection...
Walk along the beach, watch for Eagles!
Walk along the beach while spotting for Eagles! Many beautiful birds in this national wildlife refuge make it a great hike. This hike covers 3 trails and is done in a loop configuration. With an easy 2.3 mile length, and flatness--it is an easy hike to complete. There is a shelter at point 6 in case you bring a packed lunch--with a view. It...
small civil war fort, cannons, and home ruins!
A small civil war fort and era homes with lineage to the famous Robert E Lee! This fort participated in the civil war, getting shots off at a passing gun boat. The hike starts at the amphitheatre, where an old hunt club had a two story building (ruins) and various learning events are currently held. Continuing on to the fort, we find cannon...
First Battle of Bull Run
This was the first major land battle of the armies in Virginia. On July 16, 1861, the untried Union army under Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell marched from Washington against the Confederate army, which was drawn up behind Bull Run beyond Centreville. On the 21st, McDowell crossed at Sudley Ford and attacked the Confederate left flank on Matthews Hill. Fighting...
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen. John Pope's Army of Virginia, and a battle of much larger scale and numbers than the First Battle...
12.2 mile trail near Cedarville Mobile Home Park, Maryland
Cedarville State Forest: An Easy Side of Strenuous 13 Miles! This hike is about 12.2 miles long. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes a half day. Detailed narration is provided with each picture and pictures were taken at every interesection. This hike is only 24 miles from D.C. and about a 45 minute drive from Baltimore The headwaters...
3.1 mile trail near Hanson Hills, Maryland
Governor Bridge Natural Area is about 3.1 miles long and located near Hanson Hills, Maryland. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours. National Trail Day hike at Governor Bridge Natural Area. Governor Bridge Natural Area and Canoe Launch is located near the Bowie Baysox Stadium and Governor's Bridge. At one time, the property...
Aviation history, tons of trails, artifacts
One of the first African-American-Owned airfields "Columbia Air Center" operated here during and after WW 2--and participating in the Civil Air Patrol--training other pilots. What you'll see on this hike is history signs with photos and a memorial to these great pioneers in aviation history. Starting at the memorial, head up the road, then get...
5.0 mile trail near Riverside, Maryland
Gorman Stream Valley is about 5.0 miles long and located near Riverside, Maryland. The trail is great for a quick, easy hike.
Ruins, waterfalls, deers + much more!
Come explore the Pyrite mine ruins! ..and catch some terrific waterfalls, wildlife, and a good hike. Not for hiking? Put on the bathing suite and bring an innertube and float away on the river (nice and slow). The trail is approximately 8 miles, it is rated moderate for the length. The trail starts out with small steep sections, and plenty...
A very scenic 2.3 mile trail near Flintridge, Maryland
Rachel Carson Conservation Park is about 2.3 miles long and located near Flintridge, Maryland. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours. This hidden gem is densely populated by numerous species of wildlife, high quality forest and features spectacular rock and massive boulder out-cropping throughout the park. This area remains...
good for trail running, hunting, fishing
Great area for trail running when hunting is not in season! Also there is a great pond for fishing and having a picnic. The trail is relatively flat and doesnt have many roots which make it great for trail running, or just a walk in the woods. You start in a pine wooded area--walking on needles, then venture through other forested areas with diverse...
3.9 mile trail near Clarksburg, Maryland
Catoctin Mountain Park: Cunningham Falls / Hog Rock Vista with The Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group (Template) is about 3.9 miles long and located near Clarksburg, Maryland. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours. This loop is a moderate hike with uphill and downhill sections of the trail that include moderate to steep inclines (See...
lots of ruins, waterfalls, trains, and river views
Do the entire Avalon Patapsco state park in 1 day! This loop covers the majority of the Avalon area, with multiple ruins, waterfalls and other artifacts to find along the way. Starting at the parking lot, you hike up the road a ways to the Ridge trail sign. The next leg is the maintenace loop which has an old old tractor to look at and some...
Cross the Appalachian Trail as you explore this historic and scenic canal path from Point of Rocks, MD to Williamsport.
Civil War history comes alive on this section of the C & O Canal Towpath trail. Civil War enthusiasts will recognize such names as Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Falling Waters, and Williamsport. Trail enthusiasts will recognize the names of a couple famous trails that intersect with the C & O Canal Towpath in this section including the Appalachian Trail...
