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Hiking and Climbing Adventures


Backcountry roads, logging trails, quaint small towns, scenic byways, and more offer the outdoor lover plenty of room to roam in Jefferson County. From pristine mountaintops to the river's edge, there is a trail for the hiking enthusiast in Jefferson County. Hike up to Jefferson's Rock to take in the fantastic view of the convergence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Walk along all or part of the historic C&O Canal. Take your turn on the acclaimed Appalachian Trail which runs through Harpers Ferry, or meander through history while taking one of our historic towns' walking tours.


Inside Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty are available in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Some of the trails are Virginius Island, Maryland Heights, Loudoun Heights, Jefferson Rock, Bolivar Heights, and Camp Hill. Rock Climbing is permitted in specific locations; signing in is required. Call the park for maps and information. Using the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park as a starting point, hikers can explore and enjoy several areas contained in this 2300+ acre national park and more in the surrounding area.

  • -Virginius Island contains two easy hiking loops--one is 3/4 mile and one is 1-1/4 mile. These trails allow one to explore the ruins of a once-thriving 19th Century industrial town along the Shenandoah River.

  • -Bolivar Heights Battlefield, located within the Park is an easy walk for families with young children. Here, you will walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln and Stonewall Jackson. The added plus is the splendid view of Harpers Ferry water gap.
  • -The Maryland Heights Trails are more strenuous. From the railroad bridge, accessed from the restored Town of Harpers Ferry, you cross the Potomac River to Maryland Heights. The Overlook Cliffs Trail is 4.1 miles round trip, while the Stone Fort Trail is 6 miles round trip. These trails will take you past the ruins of Civil War forts and campgrounds. You can also savor the spectacular views of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
  • -Jefferson Rock Several large masses of Harpers shale, piled one upon the other, comprise Jefferson Rock. The name of this landmark derives from Thomas Jefferson, who stood here on October 25, 1783. Jefferson thought that the view of the convergence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers was "worth a voyage across the Atlantic". Though the slab originally rested on a narrow stone foundation, it was shored up by four red limestone pillars sometime between 1855 and 1860, to keep it from falling and causing harm to residents of Harpers Ferry. You can hike to Jefferson Rock by going into Lower Town Harpers Ferry (take the shuttle bus from the National Park Service). Take the Stone Steps off of High Street up to St. Peter's Church. The steps continue, and turn into a 5-minute walk to Jefferson Rock. This is a fairly steep climb, but the view is spectacular.
  • -Hike or Bike the C & O Canal The same footbridge used to go to Maryland Heights will cross the path of the C & O Canal National Park. This 185-mile long park that parallels the Potomac River is an easy and scenic hike in either direction. The canal's towpath is an elevated trail that was originally built 12 feet wide as a path for mules that pulled canal boats. Today it provides through-travel opportunities for hikers and bicyclists. Mile markers are posted.


C&O Canal

The C&O Canal was originally conceived of by George Washington as a way to link the Potomac to the Forks of the Ohio River (now Pittsburgh, PA). Its construction was begun in 1828 but was not finished until 1850. By then the railroad had made shipping commodities so inexpensive that the canal was obsolete before it was used, and was mainly used for shipping bulk items like coal or lumber. It is a shining example of the canal era of the United States, and showcases many elements of American history, such as the history of Native Americans, the Civil War and slavery, westward expansion, immigration, and industrial development.

The canal's towpath is an elevated trail 184.5 miles long. It was originally built 12 feet wide as a path for mules that pulled canal boats. Today it provides through-travel opportunities for hikers and bicyclists. Mile markers are posted.

According to the C&O Trust, "Today, the C&O Canal is used by millions of visitors who come to stroll, hike, bicycle, bird watch, paddle, rock climb, ski, skate, or otherwise enjoy the natural corridor provided by the abandoned canal and towpath. The preservation of this linear riverside park is remarkable in the context of the explosion of development and population growth in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and the eastern U.S. in general. Making it even more distinctive are the numerous connections to other trails and paths including the Capital Crescent Trail, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, the trail system in Green Ridge State Forest, and now the Great Allegheny Passage that connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland. And in the past few years, considerable work has been done to establish a Potomac River Water Trail that depends on the access, campgrounds, and other facilities of the C&O Canal."

For more information, visit the National Park Service at www.nps.gov/choh or call 301-739-4200, or visit the Web site of the C&O Canal Trust at www.canaltrust.org/.


Other Venues

  • -Just outside the National Park's borders in Harpers Ferry is the Headquarters for the Appalachian Trail. You can acquire loads of information about the trail and actually access the trail leading southward onto Loudoun Heights with its great vistas. www.AppalachianTrail.org
  • -Nearby, the Town of Bolivar has preserved the Bolivar Nature Park. This 7-acre park is complete with bird gardens and nature trails. It is a 0.3-mile path with moderate up and down elevations. It is easily self-guided and has footbridges and park benches dotted along the way for your convenience.
  • -Shepherdstown is only about 5 miles from Yankauer Nature Preserve, which has three easy hiking trails: the Kingfisher Trail Loop of about 1 mile, the Dan Fisher Trail which is 0.2 miles, and the South Trail which is 0.9 miles. Botanists, birders, and hikers alike can enjoy this 104-care preserve. Click here for more information about the Yankauer Preserve.

NOTE: Access to the C&O Canal from Harpers Ferry is extremely difficult.
Click the link below for nearby alternate access points to the canal towpath.
Alternate Access Points to the C&O Canal Towpath