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Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Harpers Ferry

  • Front Royal, Virginia

    Snowshoe the AT in G.R. Thompson

    3 mi
    The G.R. Thompson is a piece of public land in Linden, VA, thats primarily used by hunters. The Appalachian Trail runs right through this section and visiting during a fresh snowfall can make for a great adventure. Only 60 minutes drive from greater Washington DC area, this is an easy adventure! ...
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  • Great Falls, Virginia

    Hike from Riverbend Regional Park to Great Falls National Park

    5.0
    2.5 mi / 75 ft gain
    This 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...
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  • McLean, Virginia

    Photograph Great Falls of the Potomac

    5.0
    0.69 mi / 131 ft gain
    Viewing 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 ...
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  • Potomac, Maryland

    Great Falls and the Billy Goat Trail

    4.5
    4.61 mi / 272 ft gain
    Just 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...
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  • McLean, Virginia

    Difficult Run, Ridge, and River Trails

    4.5
    3.28 mi / 463 ft gain
    Difficult 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 ...
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  • Derwood, Maryland

    Hike, Bike, or Run the Lakeside Trail and Muncaster Mill Trail

    4.5
    3.41 mi / 196 ft gain
    Park at the Meadowside Nature Center to Access the trailhead. This is a 3.4 mile loop with opportunities for birding and observing wildlife. Dogs are welcome on leash. 
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  • Manassas, Virginia

    Hike and Explore Bull Run Battlefield

    4.3
    1.2 mi
    Located about 40 minutes from D.C. just off I-66 in Manassas, VA. Henry Hill is the starting point and headquarters that can lead you to multiple trails ranging from 1-5 miles depending on the route you choose here. Ample parking at HQ as well as clean restrooms. Tours are available here. Rolling...
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  • Manassas, Virginia

    Trail Run at Bull Run

    5.0
    4 mi
    Great spot for a run! Very accessible for those in the DC region.  A good starting point is the Henry Hill Visitor Center. If you want to avoid any crowds, start early.  From the Henry Hill Visitor Center, you can't really go wrong (as far as direction is concerned) since most trails can be linke...
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  • McLean, Virginia

    Scott's Run Nature Preserve Loop

    4.2
    2.51 mi / 397 ft gain
    This 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...
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  • McLean, Virginia

    Hike at Turkey Run Park, McLean

    4.0
    2 mi / 200 ft gain
    Turkey Run Park is available to hikers year-around and is located just off of George Washington Parkway in McLean, Virginia. The exits are clearly marked and you simply drive to parking lot C-1 to start this hike.Turkey Run has numerous trail options available but I chose an out-and-back. When yo...
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  • Front Royal, Virginia

    Explore Skyline Drive In Winter

    4.5
    Skyline Drive is a winding highway that cuts straight through Shenandoah National Park. Being that we are in the south, you will find that the road is closed for the majority of the winter, and usually at the very mention of snow. The first few years of living here it was incredibly frustrating...
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  • Oldtown, Maryland

    Hike to Paw Paw Tunnel

    3.8
    2.4 mi
    This hike is short and sweet, with it only being 2.4 miles to the other side of the tunnel and back. It's easily accessible, located right off the highway at the Paw Paw Tunnel Campground on the Potamac River at the border of Maryland and West Virgina. The town of Paw Paw is on the West Virgina s...
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  • South River, Virginia

    Hike to Compton Peak

    5.0
    This unique hike on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park is 2.4 miles round trip with an 835' elevation gain, and leads you to two viewpoints as well as a cool rock outcrop.Access this hike from the Compton Gap parking area (elevation 2,145') on the Skyline Drive at Mile 10.4. Cross ...
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  • 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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  • Bentonville, Virginia

    Hike the Shenandoah River State Park Loop

    5.0
    8 mi / 650 ft gain
    Shenandoah River State Park is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.  The park is full of well-maintained trails great for hiking and mountain biking.  The trails both parallel the banks of the river as it snakes through the Shenandoah Valley and through the rolling hills, which provides...
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  • Clifton, Virginia

    Hike the Bull Run Occoquan Trail

    13 mi
    The Bull Run Occoquan Trail is located in Fairfax County, Virginia and is 50 miles outside Washington, DC and runs along the Bull Run waterway for 6.5 miles from Bull Run Marina to Fountainhead Regional Park. The blue blazed trail undulates for a total ascent of 1,510 ft and descent of 1,526 ft, ...
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