OK, I haven't hiked the entire trail to PA. I've only hiked from Roosevelt Island to 495 bridge,…read morenot a short hike nonetheless. I have seen: perhaps the biggest trees in VA lots of junk [makes me want to clean up water ways and stop people from polluting] the three sisters rocks anchored boats in the summer folks biking on the canal trail across the river Georgetown U. I have fished for spawning fish with my Dad as a kid, and caught quite a few. I have found some of the most tranquil space inside the Beltway possible. You can hike nearly the whole trail on a weekend without seeing other people. Note: if there has been a lot of rain recently, be wary. Trees can be down across the trail and high water in the Potomac can be very treacherous.

The scenery along this trail is amazing. You feel like you are in a completely different place,…read moretransported farther away from the city than you really are. Almost completely shaded, the trail is a nice respite from the heat in summer, with beautiful views of the river year round. The trail is lightly used, which can be a good or a bad thing. It means that it will be peaceful and less crowded than other hiking trails in the area, so it is good for trail running. But it also means that you can feel isolated. I'll admit that I have run the trail alone, but I immediately realized it was a bad idea. Now I prefer to bring company. The trail does get a little rocky at parts, so if you're trying to run, expect some slower going. The only downside to this trail is that the section that is closest to the city (starting at Roosevelt Island) is littered with trash. I have never seen so much litter in a park in America before.

I have so many fond memories of this place.. My mini mees' and my hubs would often hike and take…read morepics and then we would go home to paint a scenic mural on canvas. When you reach the overlook be careful there are snake pits! My hubs thinks its funny when he sees me scream in a panic and I thought all of Maryland heard my screams! I suggest wearing pants and bring repellent especially for ticks.. wear socks and shoes with good traction. No Crocs, No Yeezys, No Birkinstocks, No AF1s. You will have to climb some rocks or trees so you dont wanna slip n slide . If youe coming here for a picnic get your chicken and grub from the Dickerson market!! Best time to go is mid October when the leaves change colors!

I visited this place for the first time. Beautiful view. Now, as a non-hiker this was a little…read morechallenging BUT, very rewarding! There are a lot of rocks to walk and shift over, a few fallen trees you have to sorta climb over. (Not too hard) Those steps however, MAN! Them things will take you out! Lol. There were plenty of areas to stop for breaks though so do it your own pace. Everyone there was very friendly and few shared very helpful tips! Overall a great experience, and as crazy as it sounds, I do it again! Something to think about though...I wore shorts, but I would suggest wearing pants. Someone I was with kept getting these green spiky things stuck to them and I have no idea what that was but it's a no. Also, if you have some hiking shoes or boots wear those. Trying to walk on rocks and walk downhill you might slide a little bit. You want to have some sort of stability. Last they have these, for a lack of better word, hiking sticks that a lot of other hikers had that seem to be very helpful from what one of them told me I would suggest getting a pair of those as well. I hear they have them at Costco.

An interesting story and a nice view above Harper's Ferry…read moreJefferson Rock is one of the highlights of Harpers Ferry. It gives a good mix of history, scenery, and a bit of historic adventure that personifies the town. The hike to the rock takes you up the hillside, passing by the iconic St. Peter's Catholic Church along the way. The path itself is fairly manageable, and most sections have railings, but once you reach the rock the protection stops. Because of this, I would recommend the visit only for those who are sure-footed and comfortable with uneven ground, as the drop-offs can be intimidating without barriers. The payoff, however, is worth the effort. From a position next to the rock you get a sweeping view of the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, as well as the historic town of Harpers Ferry nestled below. The vantage point is both dramatic and peaceful, giving you a sense of why, according to the stories, Thomas Jefferson, during his travels, found this very spot so moving that it now bears his name. For those who wish to explore more, you can continue on the trail past Jefferson Rock and make your way to the Appalachian trail, which adds another layer of history to the walk. The informational sign could use a little care but, overall, this is a scenic and meaningful stop, best enjoyed with good shoes and sure footing. Enjoy.

Rock formation on ApplachainTrail, a short distance from lower town of Harpers Ferry, yet a steep…read moreand very uneven climb to get there - be careful. The rock/area is famous for Thomas Jefferson standing there in 1783 and stating "worth a voyage across the Atlantic." It is a breath taking view! You pass the remains of St Johns Episcopol church and St Peters Church along the way. Worth the walk!

LOVE Harper's Ferry. I'm a huge history buff. I used to come here as a child my dad would take us…read more So many memories . Parking is very busy mid day so come early, they also have a parking area then you can shuttle to the town, so check that out before coming. If you love the story of John Brown then this will bring everything to life. When we came the govt was shut down so I couldn't go to the wax museum :'(. I recommend bringing a picnic basket and eating on the grassy area near the river. You can also make a hike day out of everything and hike up the town past the beautiful Catholic Church at the top, hike back down, go over the bridge, and explore over there. Best place ever.

Having lived in Virginia for over three decades, before making the Valley of the Sun home, gave me…read morethe opportunity of visiting incredibly beautiful, vast, extraordinary and historical areas of Virginia, Maryland, DC and West Virginia - some of the most beautiful country America has to offer. West Virginia is by far an underrated state having so many natural and manmade wonders. As well as one of our most adventurous terrains. Harpers Ferry offers something for nearly everyone, from outdoor recreation and history to really quiet riverside walks and ranger-led programs. In historic Downtown, museums and exhibits tell many sides of and dark memories around Harpers Ferry, including the John Brown Museum and John Brown's Fort, Black Voices: African American History, the Industry Museum, and period sites such as the Boarding House, Dry Goods Store, White Hall Tavern, and the Confectionery. Other featured sites include Harper House, the Master Armorer's Quarters, the Civil War Museum, and the Provost Marshal Office. One can stroll the rivers Shenandoah and Potomac converge there and admire the train crossing and the tunnel across the way. Picnicking by the riverside is a wonderful afternoon pastime. Nice and cool streaming waters, especially of a hot and muggy summer's day. Although usually a bustling tourist location, it offers a unique solitude because of its surrounding hills, mountains, trees and overall nature. I have never tired of visiting Harpers Ferry, despite its cruel and violent history, it remains tranquil, beautiful and serene. If you're ever in West Virginia, this is a must visit!

We decided to start our hike to Weverton Cliffs, here at the Potomac Wayside Park. We drove right…read morepast it the first time. Then, coming back toward the Exxon station from MD, we saw the "merge" lane into the "Park". I mean there were tons of no parking signs until at the end where you could fit 3 cars. I was second car. I was confused as I didn't see any park. But the Appalachian Trail went over 340 bridge so we just suited up and headed across the bridge. The walk across the bridge was a lot longer than it looked. When we came back to the car after our journey We saw the sign for Potomac Wayside Park. Didn't help much. There's still nothing to see, until I googled the location to add to Yelp. Google says there's a trail to take you to a waterfall but honestly, we saw that trail when we parked and immediately thought, that's someplace where homeless would burrow and druggies and the like, so I was surprised to read that the trail was actually part of the "Park." Park address is Purcellville VA but the sign on the gravel road said it was part of the Harper's Ferry NPS. Check it out. Take some pictures. Then I might come back. I come to Harper's Ferry every couple years and if legit, I'll give it a try.

Of the multiple hiking options at Harpers Ferry, the Loudoun Heights hike may not be top of your…read morelist. Instead, most thrill-seekers head to Maryland Heights. Loudoun Heights is a much longer and more uneven hike with less stunning views at the end. I love getting to intersect with the Appalachian Trail! That was a super cool part of this hike. Getting to the trailhead was an adventure in and of itself. If you're starting in Low Town, you can take what feels like a million steps into a trail. Much easier: park in the first lot on Shenandoah Road and take the sidewalk to the bridge. It'll save you truly an hour round-trip. On this four-hour+ hike, I passed maybe 10 people total. I'm a social hiker, so I didn't need the privacy. But it was nice regardless! Next time I'll probably stick to Maryland Heights.

(had to edit a typo in directions!) A beautiful yet…read morestrenuous hike. If you want to shave off some miles, park under the bridge as you arrive to Harper's Ferry. I enjoy parking at the train station, walking through the small town and starting at the steps to the magnificent St. Peter's Church. The steps are killer and hand made/placed in position. Follow behind the church to the cemetary and Jefferson's Rock. The Appalachian Trail is white blazed and has an entry point here. You'll come out at Rte 340 but turn left to go across the bridge over the Shenendoah River. I believe that's the South Fork under the bridge. Walking over that bridge, especially with the TONS of rain we've had is absolutely amazing. The river was raging! I snapped a lot of pics here. After crossing the bridge you follow the steps to go under the bridge and up some stairs to continue on the A.T. and Loudoun Heights trail. Very simple hike as far as where to go. Follow white blazed trail, cross a road, (You'll pass Orange Blaze but stay on white. You'll take Orange on the way back) ......take a left at the blue blaze. Can't miss it. Follow blue til it ends. You'll see some paths off blue that are just a couple trees away from overlooks. Good take a minute to enjoy. At the end of the Blue blazed trail is an unbelievable view of the Town of Harper's Ferry, the train bridge, Maryland Heights mountain and to the right is the bridge you'll cross into MD if I remember correctly. I love to sit up there with the wind drying off my sweat as I eat my apples and nuts before the trip back. Hearing the train up there and looking at the views was majestic. Not many people at all! I met 5 two-three people groups on my trip and they were so nice. On the way back, of course you're on blue but take a right on Orange blaze to meet up with the A.T. to get back down. Once you're back at the Town of Harper's Ferry, stop in at one of the cafe's and grab an ice cream cone or milkshake! You deserve it! (I hit 32,894 steps on my fitbit and 10 miles of trail) Calorie Roaster!

These downhill trails are really fun. In the summer, the trails can be a bit overgrown with grass…read moreand weeds. Watch out for ticks and poison ivy. There is a section of various downhill trails, another section of trick jumps, and a handful of trails. There is at least one bike service station in case you run into trouble. Parking is a bit tricky since you can only fit two cars where the main entrance is off the main road. Otherwise, I think many people park at the school but not sure what is safe or not (to avoid a tow).

Awesome local MTB trails. Small park, but a great crew of local folks who care and maintain the…read moretrails. Ride and be respectful. Check online or the flashing light color for trail conditions. Don't ride if blinking red! Ride dirt, not mud! Lots of jump trails, but can easily ride perimeter if that is not your thing.

We started at the Purcelville Trail and road 22 miles(11 out and then back). The first 2 to 3 miles…read morehad a lot of street crossings. After that they were not as frequent. Paved with a yellow divider line Somewhat narrow Very busy with bilers, walkers, runners and baby carriages. Road bikers we all riding very fast as noted in other reviews. Several benches for breaks, a few portable outhouses and bike stations Beautiful scenery. We plan on making the full trip to Dupont Circle sometime

Thank you Purcelleville for having this public parking area in town. Right at main Street…read more I met my hiking friend here and we set out for our hike today. When we drove back from our hike, the car was here and just fine. Plenty parking. Great location, next to the W & OD trail, which I used to walk on breaks, when when my company was located in Sterling on the Blvd.. always be alert. Always be safe. Look behind you intermittently. Let family or friends know where you are. Never know. Every town is safe til it's not.