"Worth a voyage across the Atlantic" - Hiking Maryland Heights, Part 1: Overlook Trail

Over 1400 feet high, Maryland Heights offers stunning views of the town of Harpers Ferry, WV, and the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. You might learn a little bit of Civil War history along the way.

Maryland Heights is one of the hikes I've been wanting to do from the first time I visited Harpers Ferry. I finally got some spare time to hike it on a chilly, windy, but sunny November afternoon. I parked at the visitor center and took the bus down to the main town with my pack and hiking stick.

Full disclosure: I only hiked the Overlook trail and didn't get to the Stone Fort trail, since I got started a little later than I wanted.

Notes

Distances:
from the Maryland Heights Trail Guide:
railroad bridge to Overlook Cliffs (round trip): about 4.1 miles (3 hours)
railroad bridge to Stone Fort (round trip): about 6 miles (4 hours)

Blazes:
Combined Trail: Green Blaze
Stone Fort Trail: Blue Blaze (note: the blazes were light blue; in harsh/bright sunlight, the blue blazes look almost white)
Overlook Cliffs Trail: Red Blaze

If you can't tell by the photos below, the trail is somewhat steep, in some places more than others. Take your time and bring plenty of water (there are no fountains or water access on the trail at all). Also, make sure you take care of restroom business in town before you cross over the river.

I *strongly* recommend a hiking stick or trekking poles to help you up the side of the mountain. There's also plenty of loose gravel, rocks, and tree roots on the trail, so mind your steps.

Parking: There are a very small number of spots near the trailhead, so unless you get there early, you probably won't get a spot. I recommend parking at the visitor center, taking the bus into town, and walking the rest of the way.

On a warm day, the overlook would be a nice place for a picnic, so if you're willing and able to haul some food up the mountain, go for it, but please make sure you pack out your trash, as there are no trashcans anywhere on the trails.

You can bring dogs along, but please make sure you clean up after them as well. Leave no trace except footprints.

Trail Map

Trailhead

To reach the trailhead, you have to cross the railroad bridge across the Potomac (part of the Appalachian Trail) and then head up the C & O Canal Towpath. The footbridge over the C & O canal leads (once you cross the road beyond) to the trailhead.

The footbridge to the trailhead


Maryland Heights trailhead. It goes up!


The trail winds around the back side of the mountain, then begins a steady climb up toward the turn to the overlook.

Naval Battery

On the way up the combined trail to the overlook trail, you'll encounter some trail markers and points of interest. The first one is the Naval Battery, seen below:


As you can see on the Maryland Heights Trail Guide, the trail splits around the Naval Battery, but make sure you take the side trail to see it. The Naval Battery was the first Union fortification on Maryland Heights.

The trail not taken

Once past the Naval battery, not far up the combined trail, the Stone Fort trail splits off. The Stone fort trail goes up to the summit of Maryland Heights, and is a little more than 3-mile circuit hike, which will bring you back around near the Overlook trail.

The Stone Fort trail branches off.


As I mentioned before, I didn't hike the Stone Fort trail, but I understand it's fairly strenuous but rewarding. Hopefully soon, I'll head back and hike this one.

The Overlook

"Worth a voyage across the Atlantic" - Thomas Jefferson
Note: Jefferson was actually referring to the view from Jefferson Rock, but I believe he would have said the same about the view from the Maryland Heights Overlook.

The trail to the Overlook actually descends from the Combined Trail to the Overlook cliffs, involving several switchbacks. There were plenty of rocks and tree roots on this section of trail, so again, watch your step as you descend down to the Overlook.

Finally, the payoff for climbing up the hill/mountain.


Harpers Ferry, WV

The Potomac River. You can see the Maryland Heights trailhead from here.

The Shenandoah River. The bridge over the Shenandoah is part of the Appalachian Trail coming out of Virginia. The AT then turns up the hill and goes past the church before crossing the Potomac into Maryland. As I've mentioned in a previous post, Harpers Ferry is considered the mid-point on the AT, and the AT Headquarters is located in the town.

Other pictures from my hike

Coming down the mountain

Final Thoughts

As it was a windy and chilly day, I bundled up with a long sleeve base layer under a tshirt, and a warm zip up hoodie. I also wore a scarf and hat which I occasionally removed. I brought along an extra fleece pullover and windbreaker jacket as well, but I didn't really need them. I worked up a pretty good sweat hiking up the hill, and in colder weather, I might have been concerned by this. Thankfully, a little time spent relaxing in the sun on the overlook dried me out a bit. This trail is definitely one of the more strenuous trails I've done so far, so if you attempt it, know your limits and take your time. Most of all, enjoy.
Happy Hiking!