The Top 10 Trails To Visit At Harpers Ferry National Historical Park - Celebrate Great Outdoors Month
By: Ysabella Bhagroo
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| NPS Photo |
Harpers Ferry, WV – Visiting a national park can be a life-changing experience for children and adults alike. Nowhere else can you feel as close to nature, fuel your wanderlust, and learn about the amazing flora and fauna blooming around you.
June celebrates the great outdoors, from parks to trails, waterways, and so much more. This month, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible experiences local, state, and federal trails bring to our communities. There are historical landmarks you may encounter along your route, or you may meet a friendly park ranger who can tell you an interesting story about the area. Birdwatchers can track migration patterns throughout the year, and botanists can scavenge for rare flowers. Waterways provide access for canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding adventures.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is no exception when it comes to outdoor fun. Nestled between the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, this park is a keystone stop along the Appalachian Trail or any trail along the Blue Ridge Mountain Range.
The Harpers Ferry Park Association invites you to discover its beautiful trails firsthand, and share your excitement about the Great Outdoors. So strap on those boots, fill up your water bottle, and slap on the sunscreen because it’s time to go on a hike! We have ten family-friendly (and dog-friendly) paths you can enjoy.
But “how will I decide which one to take?” No worries, we’ve got you covered. Here is your 101 on Harpers Ferry National Historical Park’s trails from easy to most challenging:
#1: Virginius Island and Hall's Island Trail – Easy
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| Ruins along the Virginius Island and Hall's Island Trail. NPS/E. Hartlaub |
Overview: 2 miles round trip, approx. 1 hour
The Virginius Island and Hall’s Island trails wind through a riparian forest, a mill turbine, waterworks ruins, and the site of John Hall’s Rifle Works. These trails offer great opportunities to see the Shenandoah River, spring wildflowers, birds, and river wildlife. Take a walk across a wooden footbridge where cute turtles wade in the stream below. Multiple access points lead to other park trails including Loudoun Heights, Visitor Center to Lower Town, Camp Hill, and the Appalachian Trail.
#2: Murphy-Chambers Farm Trail – Easy to Moderate
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| View of Shenandoah River at Murphy-Chambers Farm. NPS/A. Cook |
Overview: 1 - 3 miles round trip, approx. 30 min to 2 hours
Hike through fields and wooded ravines to see spectacular views of the Shenandoah River and the surrounding mountains. Civil War cannons and earthworks line the path. See the site where the John Brown Fort temporarily stood. The trail crosses Shoreline Drive and goes down to a small creek where hikers can follow the treeline that leads to the Shenandoah River overlook.
#3: Bolivar Heights Trail – Easy to Moderate
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| Cannon along the Bolivar Heights Trail. NPS/D. Taggart |
Want to see the best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Potomac River water gap, and the Shenandoah Valley with the least amount of walking? (Me too). Then this is the trail for you! This is also a great place to take stock of your surroundings and ponder Civil War strategy, as the cannon display and earthworks reflect the violent history of this site. The optional 1.3-mile upper loop continues on the crest and then turns right, down a wooded trail to a lovely view of Schoolhouse Ridge if you’d like to check that out.
#4: Visitor Center to Lower Town Trail – Moderate
Overview: 1.6 miles one way, approx. 45 min
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| Visitors Center to Lower Town Trail as it follows along Shoreline Drive NPS/E. Hartlaub |
Hikers travel down a steep ravine with 97 historic stone steps, passing by small picturesque waterfalls. The trail parallels the road, passing by wetlands, where hikers may see herons, wood ducks, Canada geese, turtles, and occasionally a beaver or muskrat. Hikers will see the ruins of the Shenandoah Pulp Mill and a remnant of the Shenandoah Canal. This trail connects with Virginius Island and Hall’s Island, Loudoun Heights, and the Camp Hill and Appalachian Trails. From Lower Town, hikers can continue on to the Maryland Heights trail.
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| Directional sign along the Appalachian Trail. NPS/Tristan Thomas |
Overview: 2 - 3 miles round trip, approx. 1 to 2 hours
Climb 62 historic steps to Jefferson Rock, a stone structure jutting out from the mountainside overlooking the Shenandoah River. Nearby you will find the Harper Cemetery, Lockwood House, Storer College Campus, additional mountain and river views, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Visitor Center. Southbound Appalachian Trail hikers can follow the white blazes along this cliffside all the way to Georgia.
Overview: 2.1 miles round trip, approx. 1 hour
This hike offers a stroll over rolling hills through farm fields. Hikers will see the terrain from the Confederate perspective of 1862, views of Bolivar Heights, Maryland Heights, and Civil War cannons. The path also is lined with fields and greenery that brings you joy on a nice spring day.
#7: *Allstadt Farm Trail – Moderate
Overview: 2.5 miles round trip, approx. 1.5 hours
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| Allstadt Ruins at Schoolhouse Ridge South NPS/E. Doll |
This trail passes through fields, forests, and along a bubbling stream. Hikers can start across the field, or follow the farm lane leading to the ruins of the 19th-century farmhouse. The trail conjoins with Flowing Springs Run and spits you out at the top of the ridge. From the overlook on the far end of the ridge, witness South Mountain paint the sky between Maryland and Loudoun Heights.
*Schoolhouse Ridge South trail partially closed - the southern loop of the Schoolhouse Ridge South trail is closed until further notice due to sinkholes.
#8: Courtney’s Battery Trail – Moderate
Overview: 1.2 miles round trip, approx. 40 min
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| Information sign about the Schoolhouse Ridge South Trail NPS/E. Doll |
This trail leads to a battery of cannons illustrating Confederate tactics in 1862. Hikers see expansive views of Bolivar Heights, Maryland Heights, and Loudoun Heights all along this ridgeline. Experience breezy fields, marshy forests, and historic ruins.
#9: Maryland Heights Trail – Moderate to Strenuous
Overview: 4.5 - 6.5 miles round trip, 3 to 4 hours
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| NPS Photo |
Overview: 4.5 - 6.5 miles round trip, 3 to 4 hours
The Maryland Heights Trail provides hikers the opportunity to see many aspects of the national park in one walk: spectacular scenery, geology, Civil War, industrial, and transportation history. At the end of Shenandoah Street, you cross under the railroad trestle and across the Potomac River footbridge. Climb down the spiral staircase and follow the C&O Canal Towpath to a green-blazed path and red-blazed cliff overlook. Hike an optional mile uphill past Civil War artillery batteries and through boulders to the Civil War Stone Fort. You will be in awe every step of the way.
#10: Loudoun Heights Trail – Strenuous
Overview: 7.5 miles round trip, 4 to 5 hours
Overview: 7.5 miles round trip, 4 to 5 hours
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| View from Split Rock Overlook along the Loudoun Heights trail. NPS/H. Mills |
This challenging trail gives hikers the opportunity to try part of the Appalachian Trail while enjoying breath-taking views of Harpers Ferry. The Potomac and Shenandoah River Valleys may be the next world wonder, with formations of phyllite and quartzite rock embedded in the limestone. Hikers are rewarded with the only view to the East into Pleasant Valley and beyond. It may take some planning and a little courage to try this hike – but we promise it’s well worth it.
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So that’s our rundown! Which trail would you like to try first?
Remember to Recreate Responsibly:
- Respect Park Resources - stay on the trail and off fragile earthworks and historic stone walls. Ruins and remnants of buildings and walls are found throughout the park. Please do not walk, sit or stand on these areas. Occasionally, artifacts (glass, pottery, etc.) are found on the ground. Please do not pick up or remove these items. Vegetation, although pretty or unusual looking, should be left as it is: take only pictures, leave only footprints.
- Follow all park rules that are listed on the brochure, displayed on signs, or listed on their website.
- Hike Safely - be courteous to other travelers by being careful and responsible on the trail.
- Have a Trash Plan - Harpers Ferry is a Trash Free Park, so please be prepared to pack out all trash.
- Be Aware - stay on designated walkways and watch out for active railways, cars, pedestrians, animals, and blocked-off areas.
- Respect Wildlife - help us keep wildlife wild by observing and photographing all wildlife from a distance. NEVER approach or feed wildlife. If you think an animal needs assistance, alert a Park Ranger.
- In 2016, a Bison Calf in Yellowstone National Park was euthanized after having been held by visitors in what they thought was a rescue. Consequently, the calf was both rejected and abandoned by its herd. Human contact with animals can cause more harm than good– especially to young wildlife. A Ranger will be able to tell if there is a problem, and can follow proper procedures to help the animal get to safety without compromising its future.
In choosing to do right, we are truly honoring Great Outdoors Month and our beautiful trails. During your next visit, take the opportunity to extend your appreciation to all the volunteers, staff, and maintenance teams that keep Harpers Ferry National Historical Park a wonderful place to visit decade after decade. We would love to hear from you, so plan your visit today!
Check out https://www.harpersferryhistory.org to explore more of our programs or workshops, and become a member for exclusive access.
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