Welcome to

Maryland

You can begin or end your hike at hundreds of places between the Appalachian Trail’s northern and southern ends. Here’s what to expect in Maryland.

40.9 MILES
A.T. Miles in State
RATING: 1-6
Easy to Moderate
230′-1880′
Elevation Range in Feet
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Cool to know

The Appalachian Trail in Maryland passes several historic sites, offers some of the Trail’s gentlest terrain, and features several lovely vistas. Only about 41 miles from top to bottom, the A.T. is this state is home to the original Washington Monument and the only war correspondents monument in the United States. There are many good access points for day-hikes to overlooks, with a string of state and county parks along its length offering parking and various amenities. The southernmost three miles follow the historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath along the Potomac River–the flattest three miles of the entire A.T. The whole state can be hiked in three to five days. Considered relatively easy by A.T. standards, Maryland is a good place to find out if you’re ready for more rugged parts of the Trail.

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Need to know

Camping is allowed only in designated overnight sites. The best times for hiking in Maryland are mid-April through mid-May (Memorial Day weekend is usually crowded) or late September through early November. Summer heat and humidity can occasionally be oppressive.

 

Maryland Image Gallery

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Get Involved

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) has enhanced the mid-Atlantic outdoor experience since 1927, including 240 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The PATC maintains trails, shelters and cabins, and they make maps and guidebooks for outdoor adventurers. Learn more and become a member today at patc.net.

Keystone Trails Association

Keystone Trails Association is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing, preserving, protecting and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. We represent and advocate the interests and concerns of the Pennsylvania hiking community. Do you hike in PA? Consider joining KTA today!

Mountain Club Of Maryland

The oldest hiking club in Maryland (since 1934) and the premier hiking group in the state. We are a Baltimore-based volunteer organization that is centered on hiking. We support Leave No Trace principles, work on local trails and on the nation’s first National Scenic Trail, the Appalachian Trail. We organize and lead hikes and other outdoor activities, such as camping, seasonal canoe trips and backpacking weekends. We offer seasonal canoe trips and backpacking ventures. We have a year-round schedule with hikes in local parks and paths, in State Parks, National Parks, National Forests, and sites in and around Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware. Learn more and become a member today at mcomd.org.

Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club

CVATC members maintain the seventeen miles of the Appalachian Trail in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The trail was once a road walk that was transformed into the trail we know today. This trail section begins at Center Point Knob (originally the half-way point on the Appalachian Trail) on South Mountain and extends through the Cumberland Valley between Carlisle and Mechanicsburg to the top of Blue Mountain. Learn more and become a member today at cvatclub.org.

York Hiking Club

York Hiking Club maintains a 13-mile section of the Appalachian Trail on Blue Mountain and a 7.5 mile section north of Harrisburg, Pa. Learn more and become a member today at yorkhikingclub.com.

Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club

SATC volunteers contribute at least 2000 hours each year toward the care and preservation of a 20-mile section of the A.T. from PA-225 on Peters Mountain north to Rausch Gap. SATC volunteers also maintain the Peters Mountain shelter, the privy, monitor and protect the Trail corridor, develop management plans for our Trail section, are caretakers for several access parking lots, and maintain the Darlington Trail as well as several side trails to the A.T. Learn more and become a member today at satc-hike.org.

Allentown Hiking Club

The club is sponsored by the Allentown Recreation Bureau and is a member of the Keystone Trail Association and the Appalachian Trail Conference. We maintain 10.3 miles of the Appalachian Trail, including two backcountry shelters, Allentown (north of New Tripoli) and G.W. Outerbridge (west of the Lehigh Gap).Learn more and become a member today at allentownhikingclub.org.

Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club

Club members and other volunteers perform on-going maintenance, clean-ups and repairs on the Appalachian Trail, Shelters, Arboretum, and various other projects throughout the year. Learn more and become a member today at bmecc.org.

AMC Delaware Valley Chapter

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of America’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Learn more and become a member today at amcdv.org.

Batona Hiking Club

BATONA (BAck TO NAture) is a Philadelphia based hiking club providing hiking and trail maintenance activities in Philadelphia; surrounding counties of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware; and beyond. Learn more and become a member today at batona.wildapricot.org.

New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains, and protects public trails. Together with our partners, we strive to ensure that the trails and natural areas we share are sustainable and accessible for all to enjoy for generations to come. For more information and to get involved today, www.nynjtc.org.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

ATC Volunteer Program

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is always looking for dedicated volunteers to help maintain the A.T. and assist in our visitor centers and headquarters. Opportunities range from greeting visitors and providing information about local hikes to joining a Trail crew for week-long maintenance trips, gaining first-hand experience in what it takes to keep the A.T. open and enjoyable for millions each year. Learn more at appalachiantrail.org/volunteer.