Nicole and I are big outdoor enthusiasts, we love to bike, paddle, play sports, and especially hike. It’s part of the reason we love both Bend and Frederick. In this article, we share what we think are the best hikes near Frederick, MD. We also give you some considerations for hiking in the Frederick area.
While hiking around Frederick would probably never be compared to the incredible quality of hiking around Bend, there are plenty of great places to hike around Frederick. Within 45 minutes, you can be in the Catoctin Mountains, on the Appalachian Trail, hiking around the overlooks around Harpers Ferry, or simply strolling the downtown parks in Frederick.
Whether you are visiting Frederick or just looking to get your family outdoors on the weekend, there’s a hike for everyone in the area. This includes short, easy hikes like the Ford Loop Trail at Monocacy Battlefield and longer all-day hikes like Maryland Heights or Annapolis Rocks.
If you want something epic, drive a little farther to Shenandoah National Park and do the Old Rag Hike, often ranked as one of the best hikes in the US.
(Did we miss a great hike around Frederick? Did we rank something too high or low? Let us know in the comments.)
The 10 Best Hikes Near Frederick MD
Map of Hikes Around Frederick Maryland
Things to Consider When Planning a Hike Around Frederick
Here are some things you should plan for before heading out on any of the hikes around Frederick below.
Weather. You won’t be climbing to extreme altitudes on any mountain ranges around Frederick, but that doesn’t mean the weather can’t change quickly. Many of the hikes below are to open rock outcroppings, and these are not good places to be when a thunderstorm rolls in.
Check the weather, especially in summer when afternoon storms are common and especially if you are heading to open viewpoints like Annapolis Rocks or Maryland Heights.
Parking. The parking situation at trailheads varies depending on the hike below. But it’s definitely something you should check into before heading out.
Many popular trailheads (Annapolis Rocks, Cunningham Falls, Sugarloaf Mountain) fill up quickly on weekends. Know exactly where you are going, try to get there early, and have a backup plan if the main lot is full.
Nicole and I have encountered full parking lots many times, but this has never deterred us from going on a hike we wanted to do, as we can always find a nearby backup parking option.
Footwear. Many of the hikes below are in the Catoctin or Appalachian Mountain environments. The trails are almost always very well maintained but usually extremely rocky. Going downhill is especially hard on your feet, as you’ll be pounding on rocks most of the way. Many hikes involve rock scrambling (fun!).
A solid pair of hiking shoes or boots makes a big difference. You can do most of these hikes in tennis shoes, but don’t try them in flip-flops or sandals.
Passes and Day Use Fees are another planning item that varies greatly depending on where you are hiking. Another great thing about hiking around Frederick is that most of the best hikes require no reservation and no day pass—they are totally free!
However, some hikes below in Maryland State Parks require a day-use pass (like Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Park). Besides the Old Rag Hike, none of the hikes below require any type of reservation in advance.
The Best National and State Parks in Maryland for Hiking
Cunningham Falls State Park is very close to Catoctin, and is very popular given the many activities it offers. But hiking the Upper Loop Trail is very pleasant and the falls are beautiful especially in spring.
Gambrill State Park is even closer to Frederick (15 mins north on Route 15). The Black Locus Trail is a great moderate hike, and Gambrill is fabulous for biking near Frederick or just a great viewpoint.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maryland
Hiking the Appalachian Trail in MarylandPost Hiking Rewards – Frederick Breweries!
Post Hiking Rewards – Frederick Breweries!So, if you are ready to choose a great hiking trail near Frederick, check out are list of the 10 best below.
1. Annapolis Rock via Appalachian Trail
Moderate
- Annapolis Rock and Black Rock Trailhead
- 5.3 Miles Out and Back (~3 Hours)
- Elevation Gain 1,600 Feet
- Free Parking
- No Pass Required
Why Do It: The Annapolis Rock Hike is not just the best hike near Frederick, it’s one of the best hikes in Maryland. Easily accessible from a trailhead right off I-70, this hike utilizes the Appalachian Trail to bring you to a spectacular viewpoint.
After leaving the trailhead, the hike starts noisy along the highway. But soon, you’ll be climbing the Appalachian Trail (which runs ~40 miles in Maryland) for about 2.5 miles until you reach Annapolis Rocks.
Below you is Cumberland Valley and Greenbrier State Park. It’s a gorgeous place to be at sunset. The hike is about 5.2 miles out and back and takes ~3 hours.
2. Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock Loop Trail
Moderate
- Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center
- 3.8 Mile Loop (2-3 Hours)
- Elevation Gain 860 Feet
- Free Parking
- No Pass Required
Why Do It: We find that the best and fastest way for Frederick residents or visitors to get deep into nature is to thread to Catoctin Mountain Park, just 25 minutes north of Frederick near Thurmont. Here, you can quickly get into thick forests with wildlife, viewpoints, and several good hikes.
The best hike in the area is the Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock Loop Hike. This moderate 3.8-mile loop takes you into the heart of Catoctin and includes visits to two interesting rock outcroppings high up on the mountain.
The second outcropping is Chimney Rock, a gorgeous vista with a zen-like vibe that makes downtown Frederick feel a long, long way away.
This great park is free, but trailheads and parking lots get full quickly on weekends.
3. Cunningham Falls Upper Loop Trail
Moderate
- Cunningham Falls - Northern Trail
- 2.5 Miles Out and Back (90 Minutes)
- Elevation Gain 350 Feet
- Trail Map
- Free Parking
- Day Use Pass Required
Why Do It: Visiting Cunningham Falls State Park is one of the best things to do around Frederick. This park is adjacent to Catoctin Mountain Park, and in addition to hiking, you can fish, canoe, picnic, or camp.
Anyone can visit the actual Cunningham Falls via a short nature trail, but you can also do a great extended hike via the Cunningham Falls Upper Loop Trail.
This hike starts at the trailhead on Foxville Road, takes you through deep forest, and eventually up and around the 78-foot-high falls. It’s a great way to enjoy this popular attraction while avoiding crowds.
To visit Cunningham Falls, you need a day-use pass, usually $3 or $5 per person, depending on the season and whether you live in or out of state.
4. Sugarloaf Mountain Loop Trail
Moderate
- Sugarloaf Mountain East View Parking
- 3.1 Miles Loop (~2 Hours)
- Elevation Gain 700 Feet
- Trail Map
- Free Parking
- No Pass Required
Why Do It: Sugarloaf Mountain is a prominent peak 30 minutes south of Frederick, with a great network of hiking trails around and up the mountain. It’s actually on private property run by a non-profit called Stronghold, and a great place to visit for a short walk or longer hike.
Our favorite hike at Sugarloaf is the Sugarloaf Moutain Loop Trail. This trail follows the white circuit for just over three miles, including a climb to the summit. The top of Sugarloaf offers expansive views over the Maryland countryside.
Visiting and parking Sugarloaf is free, but the parking is notoriously crowded and strict (don’t park on roadsides!). If you have time, try to visit the beautiful Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard while in the area, one of the best wineries in the Frederick area.
5. High Rock Overlook and Raven Rock Trail
Moderate
- Raven Rock Road, near Smithsburg
- 6.2 Miles Out and Back (~3 Hours)
- Elevation Gain 1,010 Feet
- Roadside Parking
- No Pass Required
Why Do It: This is another hike in Maryland on the Appalachian Trail, which takes in multiple rocky viewpoints. The High Rock Overlook and Raven Rock Trail starts close to Smithsburg, about 40 minutes from Frederick, and picks up the AT from roadside parking.
The hike starts with a steep climb. Most of the hike is on a ridge in a thick forest, especially lush in summer.
The High Rock Overlook is genuinely distinctive, probably for the wrong reasons. It’s covered with graffiti, which gives it character, but some call it ugly. The view from High Rock is fabulous.
Stop at Raven Rock on the way back to enjoy a second rocky viewpoint.
6. Carroll Creek Linear Park
Easy
- Carroll Creek Park
- ~2 Mile Loop (1.5 Hours)
- Elevation Gain (None)
- Garage or Street
- No Pass Required
Why Do It: This is slightly different but definitely belongs on this list. Carroll Creek Linear Park is one of the top attractions in Frederick and the heart of downtown. You can turn Carroll Creek into a 2-mile loop hike, starting from just about anywhere in the park.
The entire park is paved with several bridges and attractions and lined with some of the best restaurants and bars in Frederick. On weekends, there is almost always some event going on at Carroll Creek.
It’s a great place for an easy stroll. You can park on the street anywhere near the park, or the Carroll Creek Parking Garage is cheap and easy. Try turning your Carroll Creek hike into a beer crawl—many of the best breweries in Frederick are clustered on Carroll Creek!
7. Black Locust Trail (Gambrill State Park)
Moderate
- Gambrill State Park 'Trailhead'
- ~3.1 Mile Loop (1.5-2 Hours)
- Elevation Gain 650 Feet
- Gravel Lot (Free)
- Day Pass Required
Why Do It: Gambrill State Park is a short 15 minutes North of downtown Frederick. It has a network of trails and in fact is one of the best places to mountain bike near Frederick.
But the Black Locust Trail in Gambrill is perfect for a pleasant, moderately strenuous loop hike. This loop (we recommend going counter-clockwise) takes you through the main section of Gambrill, rich vegetation and forest, and some nice viewpoints. Spring has beautiful blooming trees.
The parking lot is small and fills up fast, and you need to pay for a day pass onsite.
The best bet is to leave Frederick and head to Gambrill for sunset at one of the overlooks—it’s gorgeous.
8. Maryland Heights Loop (Harpers Ferry)
Difficult
- Harpers Ferry Info Center
- ~6.5 Mile Loop (3-4 Hours)
- Elevation Gain 1,550 Feet
- Trail Map
- Harpers Ferry Visitor Center Parking Lot
- Park Entrance Pass Required
Why Do It: Harpers Ferry is one of the best outings in the Frederick area. Filled with history, this National Historical Park is a fascinating venue only 30 minutes from Frederick.
Sitting at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, Harpers Ferry also has some fantastic hikes surrounding the town. The best is the Maryland Heights Loop on the Maryland Heights Trail. This strenuous climb above the town rewards you with the area’s best views, with more history along the way.
This hike starts in Harpers Ferry proper at the Visitor Information Center and takes you across a footbridge over the Potomac. You then climb to a historic Naval Battery and eventually a Stone Fort before looping back down.
Harper’s Ferry requires an entry pass (generally $20 per vehicle or $10 per person), and parking is tricky. The Harpers Ferry Visitor Center Parking Lot is the best place to park, from which you can take a shuttle into town.
9. Weverton Cliffs
Moderate
- Weverton Cliffs Parking Lot
- ~2 Mile Out and Back (2 Hours)
- Elevation Gain 600 Feet
- Free Parking
- No Pass Required
Why Do It: Weverton Cliffs is another viewpoint hike in the Harpers Ferry area (but shorter and less strenuous than the Maryland Heights Loop). This hike utilizes the Appalachian Trail to lead you up to a gorgeous view of the Potomac.
The trailhead sits at a park and ride with a small but easy access parking lot. The trail climbs up 600 feet, but the switchbacks make it relatively moderate climbing.
You’ll do some scrambling at the top of the cliffs, but it’s a great place for a break or, better yet, to bring your lunch.
10. Ford Loop Trail (Monocacy National Battlefield)
Easy
- Worthington Farm Parking Area
- ~1.6 Mile Loop (1 Hour)
- Elevation Gain (none)
- Free Parking
- No Pass Required
Why Do It: Frederick has a lot of history, but the most interesting historic site in Frederick is Monocacy National Battlefield. We rank it as the best attraction in Frederick.
In 1864, a momentous Civil War battle raged on these grounds. The Confederates ultimately won, but their march on Washington, D.C., was significantly delayed. Monocacy Battlefield is certainly worth a day’s visit while in Frederick.
Walking the grounds is a great way to experience Monocacy National Battlefield. A network of trails guides you around and tells the history of this important site.
In our opinion, the best hike at Monocacy is the Ford Loop Hike. Starting at Worthington Farm, this 1.6-mile hike uses the Worthington Farm Trail up and around one of the main battlefields. On this hike, you’ll also get close to the Monocacy River and read several historical markers along the way.
Bonus: Old Rag Hike (Shenandoah National Park)
Very Difficult
- Old Rag Parking and Ranger Station
- ~9.5 Mile Loop (5-7 Hours)
- Elevation Gain (2,348 Feet)
- Multiple Lots
- Park Entrance Pass
- Old Rag Day-Use Pass Required
Why Do It: This list has many great Frederick area hikes. But if you are willing to travel slightly farther and want a truly epic Appalachian hike, consider heading to Shenandoah National Park for the Old Rag Hike.
Old Rag is consistently ranked the best hike in Virginia. It’s a long, grueling hike (almost 10 miles roundtrip), with a significant amount of rock scaling towards the top. But the experience is amazing, including the views from the top and the sense of accomplishment scaling Old Rags boulders along the route.
Plan carefully. Old Rag now has a permit system, with only 800 passes issued per day. Parking fills up really early, and you need a park pass since the hike is inside Shenandoah National Park.
Nicole and I have done it several times, and if you are a Frederick area hiker, we highly recommend you make the two-hour trek to Virginia and do it!
Read Detailed Reviews of the Best Hikes near Frederick MD
