Appalachian Trail-Maryland

imported
#1

Hello, I’m planning on doing a 3 day hike of the Appalachian trail next week and I am wondering if anyone can recommend a good section to hike with great scenery. I’ll be starting in Maryland and am willing to drive a little to to get to the starting point. It doesn’t really matter which direction I go in either. Any suggestions?

Matt

MateOMateo

#2

The Maryland portion is only 40 miles long. Why not do the whole thing. You can leave a car over night(s) at Pen-Mar or at the ATC in Harper Ferry if you tell them first, the lot behind the buiding. Direction doesn’t matter. Bring ones and change for the daily soda machines you’ll pass.

Bushwhack & Bramble

#3

Maryland is not a very nice section IMHO. You can drive to the Shenandoahs and do a nice three day hike. Although crowded at times the footbed is nice, the hiking easy and lots of access to expensive food so you do not have to carry much. I also thought the section out of Delaware Water Gap going north was pleasant but rocky.

Big B

#4

I agree with Big B. I found Maryland to be one of the flatter, less interesting section of the trail. PA doesn’t offer too much either in terms of views. Deleware Water Gap north makes for some awesome hiking, course i’m biased. That may be a bit far for you from MA, so I’d also recommend the Shenandoahs. Some nice hiking there.
http://www.geocities.com/joegamehike

jersey joe

#5

If you decide to go to SNP, you could start at Pinefield Hut. You can park at the trail head and it’s about .5 to the shelter. It’s a good place to start if you plan on getting there at night (it’s an easy hike in the dark). Plus, if you didn’t care about staying on the AT there are a couple of loops south of the shelter you could do that would bring you back to your car at the end (not much back tracking). Whatever you decide, happy hiking!

Teach :nerd

Teach

#6

Southern PA is less crowded than Shenandoah and much more interesting than MD.

steamboat

#7

Penn Mar had a few break ins last year on cars left overnight. It is not a protected area. I recommend leaving the car at Harper’s Ferry. You can either park at the Visitor’s center and take the bus into Harper’s Ferry or like the other poster said, park by the ATC with their permission.

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