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Hike the AT to Weverton Cliffs

Knoxville, Maryland

4.9/5
based on 8 reviews

Details

Distance

3 miles

Elevation Gain

1500 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Kristen May

This is a short but challenging hike along the Appalachian Trail through Maryland to a beautiful cliffside overlook of the Potomac River.

The trailhead is located right off Weverton Cliff's Road in Knoxville, Maryland. Park at a Park and Ride on the right side of the road, then walk right out of the parking lot down Weverton Cliff's Road until you see the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail. Follow that trail for 1.5 miles along steep switchbacks and rocky paths to reach Weverton Cliffs. Along those 1.5 miles you come across one of the many camping areas of the AT. Follow the same path you went up back to your car, making this a 3 mile out-and-back trail.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Forest
River
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Reviews

I was hiking the AT southbound through here and decided to stop and enjoy the view. What a spectacular sight! We saw people tubing and canoeing and they just looked like little colorful dots. I'd love to return someday!

Really fun hike, clean trail, and great view

You have to hike this trail in Spring when the Bluebells are in bloom. They are stunning!

Beautiful view. The entrance to the hike is a little tricky to find (there are no signs to the entrance). Was a nice and short intermediate hike.

As someone who hikes little to never I found this hike just challenging enough but very doable for unfit people like myself. Very quick and well worth this uphill climb. The views were stunning. Don't forget your camera!

I loved this hike since it was good for my level as a beginner, challenging but short. I followed the 'hidden staircase' directions listed in another review and I found them to be 100% accurate in their instruction. If you take a right walking out of the parking lot you will see a yield sign to your right and the houses on the left. You should see the hidden staircase across the road, and the sign for the AT south. The white blazes will be obvious. You'll come across the sign for the cliffs about 1.2-1.5 miles north up the AT. I did this on a cloudy day and the view was still really awesome. Many friendly hikers and passersby on the weekend.

Park in the parking lot on the right side of the road, and you can access the AT behind the trees and head north a few hundred feet then cross the road, or walk up the road to the 3-way stop and the entrance will be right on the opposite side of the road. You take the AT north up the mountain, and you'll hit a fork where you go right to access the cliffs. Very steep incline over a pretty short distance, but well worth it for the views.

Beautiful view, definitely worth the hike up! Make sure you follow the Appalachian trail north and eventually you'll see the sign for the cliff. I admittedly did get lost for a good while and ended up at the bottom of the trail, water level 😅 if you park in the parking lot on your right, walk out of the parking lot, take a right, you'll be on a road and you'll eventually come to some houses. If you look straight ahead there are some white rocks, kind of leading a staircase up, just follow that all the way up! It was a little hard for me to see at first, so I hope this helps someone else not get lost.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Explore Potomac Wayside Park

Hike to Maryland Heights

Hike Maryland Heights Trail Loop

Hike Maryland Heights via Harpers Ferry

Hike Weverton Cliffs Overlook from Harpers Ferry

Antietam National Battlefield Trail