Silver Spring, Maryland

Looking for the best hiking in Silver Spring? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Silver Spring. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Silver Spring

  • Eldersburg, Maryland

    Mineral Hill Trail

    4.0
    2.04 mi / 282 ft gain
    Mineral Hill Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Finksburg, Maryland.
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  • Knoxville, Maryland

    Explore Point of Rocks/ Potomac River Overlook

    4.0
    0.2 mi / 95 ft gain
    Park at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal parking lot. Walk to the US 15 and cross the road. Trail is not marked, though its faint traces can be detected as you continue on. GPS is recommended. Enjoy the overlook and when you're ready to go back, retrace your steps. 
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  • Waterford, Virginia

    Hike the Historical Phillips Farm in Waterford

    4.0
    1 mi / 10 ft gain
    This leisurely hike starts at the Old Mill at Waterford in Waterford, Virginia. You can find parking along the side of the road right near the mill.  As you walk down and past the mill you'll see a fence and the beginning of the trail. This is a short, 1 mile hike and almost completely flat. If y...
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  • Edgemere, Maryland

    Hike the Black Marsh Trail at North Point State Park

    2.5 mi
    First, a few disclaimers: The parking lot may be "at capacity" if you choose to visit the park in the summer. Do not despair; there is an auxiliary lot of sorts just near the gate.The park may be "full" but chances are you'll have the trails to yourself. Most people are here to hang in the design...
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  • Cockeysville, Maryland

    Hike the Oregon Ridge Park Trail

    4.5
    4.02 mi / 475 ft gain
    Park in the lot as indicated on the map (see below). This trail is accessible year round, dog-friendly, and is great for families. 
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  • Knoxville, Maryland

    Weverton Cliffs via Appalachian Trail

    4.9
    1.9 mi / 866 ft gain
    The trailhead is located right off Weverton Cliff's Road in Knoxville, Maryland. Park at a Park and Ride on the right side of the road, then walk right out of the parking lot down Weverton Cliff's Road until you see the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail. Follow that trail for 1.5 miles along ...
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  • Baltimore, Maryland

    Vernal Pond & Brinkmans Trail Loop

    5.0
    2.67 mi / 188.98 ft gain
    Marshy 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 com...
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  • Wildlife Trail Parking Area, Maryland

    Explore Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

    1 mi
    Although 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, ...
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  • Purcellville, Virginia

    Potomac Wayside Park

    4.0
    0.25 mi / 75 ft gain
    This is a small park along route 340 in Purcellville, Virginia near Harper's Ferry. After you have parked, look for the park sign which will be a few feet behind you. There is a trail that will take you down to the bottom of the waterfall and eventually to the Potomac River. There is also a trail...
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  • Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

    Maryland Heights via Harpers Ferry

    4.7
    4.53 mi / 1191 ft gain
    Parking and trail head: Park at the Harpers Ferry Visitors Center for $10 (171 Shoreline Dr, Bolivar, WV 25425) and take the shuttle a mile and a half to lower town (free).  Walk straight from the shuttle to the large bridge. Cross the bridge and take a left on the C&O Canal trail. You will ...
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  • Knoxville, Maryland

    Maryland Heights via Overlook Cliffs

    4.8
    2.88 mi / 1056 ft gain
    Maryland Heights is at the convergence of Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, as well as the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. The Appalachian Trail and C&O Canal Towpath are also easily accessible from the trailhead parking lot. The parking lot holds about 16 cars and is between Locks 33 and...
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  • Knoxville, Maryland

    Maryland Heights Trail Loop

    4.94 mi / 1647 ft gain
    Learn Civil War history as you hike through forts and read signs about the war.  Enjoy beautiful lookouts, including one with a great view of Harpers Ferry.  The 5.3 mile hike is relatively easy and offers an interesting opportunity to learn history in one of the most important historical areas i...
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  • Bluemont, Virginia

    Bears Den Overlook

    4.3
    1.31 mi / 164 ft gain
    Bears Den is a collection of rocks and boulders that overlooks the Shenandoah Valley in northern Virginia, just off the Appalachian Trail. You have two options to access this overlook: park at the bottom of the mountain and hike up to the overlook via the trail, or drive to the top and access the...
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  • Bluemont, Virginia

    Hike to Hollow Brook Falls

    4.3
    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    This hike will start on the Appalachian Trail and will take you to a beautiful set of falls.  When you arrive at the location you will see numerous spots along the side of the road to park. You'll need to look for the white blaze for the Appalachian Trail (it will head up from the parking area). ...
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  • Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

    Weverton Cliffs Overlook from Harpers Ferry

    5.0
    8.71 mi / 1178 ft gain
    Parking and trail head: Park at the Harpers Ferry Visitors Center for $10 (171 Shoreline Dr, Bolivar, WV 25425) and take the shuttle a mile and a half to lower town (free).  Walk straight from the shuttle to the large bridge. Cross the bridge to hop on the C&O canal trail. This is the point ...
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  • Bluemont, Virginia

    Hike to Raven Rock

    4.3
    5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Starting at a small parking lot right off of Route 7 (wuick right onto Pine Grove Road) this hike takes you North on the Appalachian Trail in a very hilly/rocky part of the trail. Expect to gain and lose 300 feet+ multiple times! It's about 2.5 miles each way so budget at least a few hours to go ...
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