driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 15,004 
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Post by driftwoody on Jul 18, 2015 9:55:54 GMT -8
The wife and I are renting a cabin for a week in Harpers Ferry. I like multi-day treks, but she prefers nice accommodations at the end of the day. We plan to take the train to visit the sights & museums in DC some days, and hike others. I know the AT runs close by HF, and we're looking for the most scenic hikes nearby. Already been to SNP a few times.
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jul 18, 2015 10:26:49 GMT -8
From the town itself, you have two well marked trails. Loudon Heights is probably a ten mile out and back. You climb up to the top of the heights, follow for a few miles and then descend down to road level. The only real way back is to simply turn around and retrace your steps back.
Maryland Heights is a shorter, but more strenuous hike directly across the railroad bridge from the town. It's probably a 6 or 7 mile loop.
The NPS ranger station has maps for several shorter hikes in the area as well that you could likely tie together. The C and O Canal towpath runs through the area. It's wide, flat and runs for a hundred and some miles, follow the river as far as you care to.
Side note, if you enjoy German food you should have dinner at the nearby Bavarian Inn.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 15,004
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Post by driftwoody on Jul 19, 2015 5:12:49 GMT -8
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jul 19, 2015 5:58:40 GMT -8
That's a really nice link. I've never done the Weaverton Cliffs hike, I'll put it on my list.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Jul 20, 2015 19:44:24 GMT -8
Jim pretty much covered the highlights. The AT does run through town and you can easily do an out-and-back in either direction.
Pay attention to the train schedule for your trips into DC. You don't want to miss the last train! And if you have time, I would happily meet you in town for lunch. I work near the Smithsonian.
The German restaurant is good. If you have a car then up the road is a casino with a good buffet and a nice restaurant.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 15,004
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Post by driftwoody on Jul 23, 2015 3:13:25 GMT -8
Thanks tomas, I'd stop by for a hello if I was on my own, but I'm vacationing with my wife and it's our 20th anniversary. I'll be sure to verify the train schedule.
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jul 23, 2015 3:25:51 GMT -8
Oddly enough there is a fairly large working fire in town this morning. The train station is currently shut down.
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Jul 23, 2015 12:19:21 GMT -8
I took a train to that station once. It was so long ago that there wasn't such a thing as Amtrak.
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