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Hike the Herrington Manor/Swallow Falls Trail

Oakland, Maryland

5.0/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

11 miles

Elevation Gain

25 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Ryan Hreczkosiej

Packed with a variety of scenic views deep in the forest, the 5.5 mile connector between Herrington Manor State Park and Swallow Falls State Park will take your breath away.

I began my adventure at the trailhead in Herrington Manor State Park. The parking lot was empty and the trail was very easy to access. From start to finish this trail varies in the width of its path. For the first mile I had a lot of foot room, but as I went deeper into the forest, the trail turned to a single track. This transition happens multiple times throughout the trek.

My favorite part of this hike was entering the areas with tall hemlocks and rhododendrons, something that happened multiple times. A major attraction of this trail is its ability to keep you guessing. Sometimes you won't have any tree cover and other times you won't be able to see the sky. You will cross small bridges, walk through mud, see wildlife, and even hike along a river as you approach Swallow Falls State Park. The combination of these features make the adventure authentic, unique, exciting, and intense all at once.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Snowshoeing
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Forest
Groups
River
Scenic

Hike the Herrington Manor/Swallow Falls Trail Reviews

Lots of conifer along this trail. Really enjoyed the change of sights and smells. This is a nice trail for a weekend hike.

Great weekend getaway. Camping, rentable log cabins, boat rentals, fishing, great scenery, Swallow Falls waterfall is nice. Good hiking trails. Nice cooler weather in summer due to elevation; it's about 10 degrees cooler than Pittsburgh or Baltimore.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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