Loop Hike in Catoctin Mountain Park

This 7.6 mile loop through Catoctin Mountain Park allows you to get a good feel for a lightly visited hiking area. Enjoy impressive vistas and a stunning waterfall along this 3-5 hour day hike through the low mountains of Maryland.

Park your car at the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center and take the trail to the left of the Visitor's Center. Hike for 1.2 miles along the trail towards Cunningham Falls, reaching MD 77. The trail will meander up and down over small hills and knolls. There is little gain or loss along this section of the trail.

Cross the road and continue on the short spur to Cunningham Falls. Enjoy the scenery of the waterfall and cool off in the spray of the falls before backtracking to the road.* Cross MD 77 again, and continue hiking up the moderate incline towards Hog Rock.

After .9 miles, reach Hog Rock. Take a minute to catch your breath and to take in the first of many vistas along the loop. Hog Rock will provide you with your first opportunity to view the sprawling countryside below. Continue down the trail, starting a slow and easy descent towards the Hog Rock Parking area. Cross the service road and continue on the well marked trail towards Blue Ridge Summit Vista.

At 3.2 miles, reach the Blue Ridge Summit Vista, another great opportunity for pictures and views. Follow the trail along the same route towards Thurmont Vista. Continue on the path. After a moderate uphill climb for half a mile, you will reach Thurmont Vista. Stop, rest, enjoy the views.

At 5.2 miles, reach Wolf Rock, an interesting rock formation running several hundred feet parallel to the trail. Be sure to hop off the main path on any number of spurs that lead you to the top of Wolf Rock. Here, you get a different directional view of lowlands.

Chimney Rock (mile 5.6) gives you your final, and best, views of the loop. You must follow a short spur trail from the main loop to reach Chimney Rock. The rocks allow you to hop out further from the tree cover than elsewhere on the trail. Be sure to watch your footing, as a misstep could lead to a decent sized fall.

Return to the main trail and follow it downhill towards the park headquarters. At 6.6 miles you will reach the headquarters.

The final mile of the loop runs parallel to MD 77. The trail is rocky along this flat section of the route, so be sure to watch where you place your steps. Arrive back at the Catoctin Mountain Park visitor center after a total of 7.6 miles.

*After a heavy rain, the boardwalk to the waterfall will be slick. Be sure to take extra precaution when walking along the path towards the falls.