Maryland Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Appalachian Trail — Annapolis Rock & Black Rock Cliff

   9.4 miles round-trip (Annapolis Rock); 13 miles round-trip (Black Rock loop)4-6 hourshard820 ft (250 m) gain to Annapolis Rock overlook

2. 2

   Catoctin Mountain Park — Blue Blazes Trail

   4.8 miles loop2.5-3.5 hoursmoderate600 ft (183 m) gain

3. 3

   Sugarloaf Mountain Summit Trail

   4.2 miles loop (all trails combined)2-3 hourseasy820 ft (250 m) above sea level; 300 ft (91 m) gain from base

4. 4

   Cunningham Falls Trail

   0.7 miles (Boardwalk Trail to falls); 4.5 miles (Cat Rock Loop)30 minutes (boardwalk) to 2.5 hours (full loop)easyMinimal on boardwalk; 400 ft gain on loop

5. 5

   Billy Goat Trail (Section A) — Great Falls

   1.7 miles one-way; 3.4 miles return (or loop with towpath)2-3 hourshard300 ft (91 m) gain with multiple scrambling sections over boulders

6. 6

   Swallow Falls State Park — River Trail

   1.3 miles loop connecting all waterfalls1-2 hourseasy150 ft (45 m) change — gentle descent and return

7. 7

   C&O Canal Towpath — Great Falls to Seneca

   14.5 miles one-way (Great Falls to Seneca); shorter out-and-back possible5-7 hours full route; 1-2 hours for short sectionsmoderateFlat — less than 50 ft total change (canal towpath)

8. 8

   Backbone Mountain Trail — Maryland High Point

   3 miles round-trip from MD-135 trailhead2-3 hoursmoderate3,360 ft (1,024 m) summit — Maryland's highest point; 600 ft gain from trailhead

9. 9

   Patapsco Valley State Park — McKeldin Trail

   6.2 miles loop (McKeldin Switchback + River Road Loop)2.5-3.5 hoursmoderate350 ft (107 m) gain with river views and Patapsco River crossings

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.