Do you know where to find some of the best hiking near DC? This is the hiking guide for you!
DC is bursting with history and charm. I had no idea it was also bursting with mountains waiting to be explored!
Now that I have visited DC at least 5 times, I feel confident to give you top details about some of the most amazing hikes in the area.
DC is conveniently nestled outside of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east coast of the United States. Its prime mountainous location makes DC a highly underrated adventure destination.
Washington, DC, borders Maryland and Virginia. The best hiking near DC is set in these two surrounding states or neighboring West Virginia.
6 of the best hiking trails near DC include Mary’s Rock at Shenandoah National Park, River Trail Mini Loop at Great Falls Park, Section C of Billy Goat Trail, Piedmont Overlook Loop at Sky Meadows State Park, Weverton Cliffs, and Harper’s Ferry.
6 Hiking Trails Near DC
1. Shenandoah National Park: Mary’s Rock
Length: 3.4 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Location: Virginia
Distance from DC: 1 hour 30 minutes
I LOVE any opportunity to visit a national park. So it is perfect that there is one less than 2 hours from DC!
Shenandoah National Park is an absolutely beautiful testament to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail.
Most hikes within the park are accessed from Skyline Drive. The road itself is beautiful and worthy of scenic stops along the way.
While Old Rag is the most popular hike in Shenandoah, Mary’s Rock is a great alternative.
It has significant elevation gain, so make sure you have snacks and plenty of water and take breaks as needed. I visited on a cloudy day, so I didn’t have too many mountain views, but it felt like I was walking in the clouds.
Other top hikes at Shenandoah include:
Stay: Skyland provides cabin-style lodging on Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive.
2. Great Falls Park: River Trail Mini Loop
Length: 1.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Virginia
Distance from DC: 25 minutes
Great Falls Park is a beautiful gem 15 minutes outside of Georgetown. In my opinion, it is one of the most ideal outdoor escapes within the DC area due to its extremely close location and national park experience.
This makes it easy to combine with any DC itinerary!
While Great Falls is not a national park itself, it is run through the National Park Service and nationally protected. Entrance is covered with an Annual National Parks Pass or costs $20 per vehicle for a standard entrance pass.
There are two full-service bathrooms with running water at the entrance.
I visited Great Falls directly after a storm, so my hiking options were limited.
River Trail Mini Loop was the best option for me so I could experience some of the best viewpoints within Great Falls without worrying about slippery trails.
I highly recommend the River Trail Mini Loop for visitors on a time crunch. It provides some of the best viewpoints! It is also a calm hike for children and families.
The most highly rated trail on AllTrails at Great Falls Park is the River Trail Loop. While I haven’t completed this trail myself, I recommend it for eager hikers anticipating a challenge.
Stay: Lake Fairfax Park is the closest campground to Great Falls Park. It is open year round.
Alternatively, consider staying 15 minutes away from the trail in Georgetown.
⭐Popular DC Tours
3. Billy Goat Trail: Section C
Length: 2.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Maryland
Distance from DC: 30 minutes
Located 30 minutes by car from Washington, DC, the Billy Goat Trail provides a beautiful morning or afternoon getaway. It is located in the Ohio Canal National Historical Park along the Potomac River.
Billy Goat Trail is divided into three trails, better known as subsections A, B, and C. Each section can be hiked individually or combined for an 8-mile hike.
Section A is considered the most scenic due to its end location at the Great Falls overlook. It is also known as the most strenuous.
Section C is my recommendation for a hiking trail because it is the least strenuous and has not had any trail closings within the past year (as of October 2023).
Swimming in the Potomac River along the trail is not permitted. Pets are allowed on Billy Goat sections B and C only.
Check the National Park Service website for safety conditions and closures before beginning your hike.
Stay: Marsden Tract Campground, located within the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, is a popular option for hikers on the Billy Goat Trail. Book your campsite in advance online.
Alternatively, stay at a hotel in the DC area.
⭐Highly Rated Hotels in DC
4. Sky Meadows State Park: Piedmont Overlook Loop
Length: 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Virginia
Distance from DC: 1 hour
Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, Virginia, is home to 24 miles of dog-friendly hiking trails, including a slice of the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. As you hike, you’ll revel in views of both forest and farmland.
One of the most popular hikes at the park features three scenic overlooks along a moderate 5.5-mile loop. Begin by parking at the visitor center.
From here, it’s a short walk to the park office where the trail begins. It is on the green-blazed Boston Mill Road (a hiking trail / service road).
On this loop hike, you’ll make stops at the Piedmont Overlooks (lower and upper), then the Whitehouse Overlook.
A $10 entry fee is required to enter Sky Meadows. Post-hike, celebrate on the outdoor patio at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery in Delaplane.
Stay: There is a hike-in campground with unbundled firewood and vault toilets at Sky Meadows State Park.
It’s an easy one-mile hike from the parking lot. The fee is $20-25 per site.
Suggested by Erin Gifford of Go Hike Virginia
5. Weverton Cliffs
Length: 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Maryland
Distance from DC: 1 hour 15 minutes
Weverton Cliffs is a fun, beautiful hike located on the Appalachian Trail. I LOVE completing various segments along the Appalachian Trail! This historically famous route goes through a whopping 9 states.
The approach to Weverton Cliffs is a bit tricky to find. From the main parking lot, you have two choices that bring you to the same trailhead:
Option 1: Walk out of the parking lot and turn right until you cross the street and arrive at a set of stairs.
Option 2: Take a left on the trail in the parking lot, and walk straight until you get to the same street and arrive at the same set of stairs.
This out-and-back trail took me approximately 60 minutes to complete. It is mostly uphill with flat terrain throughout, providing a balance between challenge and ease.
The full hike up is mostly surrounded by trees with a couple of mountain teasers tucked in between.
At the top of the trail, there are several lookouts spaced between large rocks. It is the perfect location for a picnic lunch!
This is an out-and-back trail, so you can follow the same route on the way back. The trail signs will indicate you staying on the Southern Appalachian trail.
For a longer trek, consider continuing along the Northern Appalachian trail. This will not lead you back to the parking lot.
Stay: Light Horse Inn
6. Harper’s Ferry: Appalachian Trail Loop
Length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: West Virginia
Distance from DC: 1 hour 30 minutes
Harpers Ferry National Historic area is one of my favorite underrated day trips from Washington, DC!
Bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, Harper’s Ferry is a unique destination in its own right.
Tack on hiking with incredible mountainous views, and you’re in store for a wonderful day.
It helps that it’s located within the Appalachian Trail (You know how I feel about the Appalachian!)
I love the Appalachian Trail Loop at Harper’s Ferry because you get to explore the historical town on the way, pass ruins and historical markers along the trail, and it has incredible views of the town and mountain landscape.
Other popular trails in Harpers Ferry include:
- Maryland Heights via Harpers Ferry
- Harpers Ferry Lower Town Trail Loop
- Loudon Heights Trail to Split Rock
Dogs on leashes are allowed on the trail!
Harper’s Ferry accepts the Annual National Parks Pass for entrance.
If you do not have this pass, a standard three-day entrance pass is required for purchase upon entry. The cost is $20 per car.
Stay: 1799 Inn Harpers Ferry
Conclusion
The DC area offers so many amazing hiking trails.
Its location near the Blue Ridge Mountains provides fabulous hiking options for a variety of levels.
From day trips to Harper’s Ferry or larger parks like Shenandoah, there are plenty of DC outdoor activities for everyone!
