Columbia, Maryland
Looking for the best hiking in Columbia? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Columbia. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Columbia
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Baltimore, Maryland
Hike Marshy Point Nature Center
5 miMarshy Point Nature Center is 25 minutes northeast of Baltimore in Middle River, Maryland. Convenient from I-95 with lots of parking and miles of interconnected trails, it's a perfect spot for a quick hike or an all-day excursion. The trails are mostly within the 1-2 mile range, but you can comb...Read more -
Great Falls, Virginia
Hike from Riverbend Regional Park to Great Falls National Park
5.02.5 mi / 75 ft gainThis hike utilizes the Potomac Heritage Trail from Riverbend Park to Great Falls National Park. This section is an easy, mostly flat trail that will take you along the Potomac until you reach Great Falls National Park. When you reach Riverbend Park turn right into the parking lot. At the end of t...Read more -
Arlington, Virginia
Hike Theodore Roosevelt Island
4.32 miIt seems only fitting that the president who gave us our national parks would have one all to his own. Located on the edge of Washington D.C., Theodore Roosevelt Island offers a glimpse of what the city may have looked like before the politicians, before the marble buildings, before the traffic-...Read more -
Washington, District of Columbia
Visit the National Mall in Washington D.C.
4.67 miEveryone has so many things on their plates these days that take all their time up. It is hard to get away for adventures or to experience new things. The National Mall in Washington D.C. is within an hour from millions of people on the East Coast. This centralized location makes the National Mal...Read more -
Parkton, Maryland
Hike the Gunpowder Falls North and South Loop Trail
5.013.3 mi / 1180 ft gainPark in the lot on Bunker Hill Road and then continue a short ways to the trailhead (see map). There are no bridges for crossing the water so be prepared to pick your way across.Read more -
Potomac, Maryland
Great Falls and the Billy Goat Trail
4.54.61 mi / 272 ft gainJust outside of Washington DC is a great hike and rock scramble you don't want to miss. Great Falls lies in both Virginia and Maryland and has beautiful views of the Potomac River. Start out at the Great Falls Tavern parking lot (Maryland side), and keep in mind it is $10 to park here if you don...Read more -
McLean, Virginia
Scott's Run Nature Preserve Loop
4.22.51 mi / 397 ft gainThis nature preserve can be hiked year-round and is a sanctuary for rare wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife including deer and fox. There are six main interconnecting trails that run through the preserve; winding their way around matured hardwood forest, sheer bluffs, and rocky cliffs overloo...Read more -
McLean, Virginia
Photograph Great Falls of the Potomac
5.00.69 mi / 131 ft gainViewing Great Falls is easy which makes this adventure great for all levels of adventurers. There is a ~$10 entrance fee, there you will receive a map of the park. There are 3 platforms of viewing Great Falls, each platform has stunning panoramic views. Make sure you do not forget to bring your ...Read more -
McLean, Virginia
Difficult Run, Ridge, and River Trails
4.53.28 mi / 463 ft gainDifficult Run is a popular hiking location right down the street from Great Falls National Park. Starting at the Difficult Run parking lot you head to the trail at the far end of the lot. The trail will split. The green blazes will take you to the left but you can also stay to the right and hike ...Read more -
Kingsville, Maryland
Hike the Jerusalem Village Trail & Jericho Covered Bridge Trail
4.3 mi / 341 ft gainThis is a moderately rated hike that features a river and quite a few hilly sections. The trail is known to be rather muddy, so be sure to wear appropriate waterproof footwear. Note that some sections of the trail are not well marked. You may want to review a map before embarking. There is park...Read more -
Dickerson, Maryland
Hike the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
4.76.05 mi / 1509 ft gainPark on Sugarloaf Mountain Drive (as indicated on the map below) to access the trail. It is open from March-November and is dog friendly.Read more -
Freeland, Maryland
Hike Hemlock Gorge
5.03.5 mi / 300 ft gainThis is one of Baltimore's little known gems. The area contains an ecosystem which is essentially non-existent outside of the Appalachian mountain regions. It has also been seemingly under-appreciated and abused by locals. I am trusting that the Outbound Collective community will do its part to e...Read more -
Sterling, Virginia
Washington & Old Dominion Trail and Broadlands Ramble
5.019.55 mi / 863 ft gainWashington & Old Dominion Trail and Broadlands Ramble is a point-to-point trail where you may see local wildlife located near Ashburn, Virginia.Read more -
Street, Maryland
Hike the White Trail
5.03.4 mi / 643 ft gainPark in the lot off of St. Clair Bridge Rd to access the trail. Be aware that some parts of the trail are rocky and/or steep. This trail is dog friendly and is accessible from October through November.Read more -
Wildlife Trail Parking Area, Maryland
Explore Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
1 miAlthough the trails at Eastern Neck may be small in size (the longest is just over a mile) they're big on sights. It's practically impossible to visit the refuge and not see wildlife, particularly the dizzying number of avian species here. Visit during the winter to see the majestic Tundra Swan, ...Read more -
Dickerson, Maryland
Hike along the C&O Canal: Whites Ferry to Edwards Ferry
5.010 mi / 165 ft gainPark in the lot on Whites Ferry road and hop on the Chesapeake Ohio towpath. This is an out-and-back so you can make it as short as you want or up to 10 miles. Great for familes and dog friendly!Read more