The sun is out, the birds (and birders) are flitting around, and the pollen may or may not be finally subsiding (we hope).
Strickler Knob, which involves some rock-scrambling at the end.
Margaret Barthel / WAMU/DCist
The sun is out, the birds (and birders) are flitting around, and the pollen may or may not be finally subsiding (we hope). All the signs point to it being that brief, gorgeous window before we hit the swampy heights of 96-degree temperatures and 100% humidity.
In other words: it’s time to take a hike. (Literally, not figuratively, to be clear.) And while we adore Shenandoah National Park as a destination, we thought we’d suggest some others that are a little less well-known and maybe less congested than Old Rag, or even Great Falls. And when we asked for ideas on Twitter, woah. You delivered. It’s almost like we all started hiking during the pandemic or something.
So grab a water bottle and your hiking boots or sneakers. The trail awaits!
Maryland
Rachel Carson Greenway to Fox Meadows Loop, Rachel Carson Conservation Park
1.9 miles, with options for a longer or shorter hike (AllTrails)
Need to forest-bathe a little bit closer to home? This mostly flat, easy trail can help. It traverses the woods, streams and meadows of this 650-acre gem in the Montgomery County parks system. Be prepared for some rock-hopping across streams and some mud after rain. No entrance fee.
Weverton Cliffs, and a great spot for a snack.Maryland GovPics / Flickr
Weverton Cliffs, South Mountain State Park
1.9 miles, with options for a longer hike (AllTrails)
The views are as big as the climb up to them on this short but steep trail. If you’re feeling energized by the vista of the Potomac River, you can keep going along the Appalachian Trail for as long as your heart desires (one destination, which makes for a 6.3-mile trek, is the Ed Garvey Shelter). South Mountain State Park is as rich in history — it’s the site of a Civil War battle — as it is in beautiful lookouts. No entrance fee.
Parkers Creek Loop, American Chestnut Land Trust
3.4 miles, with options for a longer or shorter hike (AllTrails)
Several of you recommended hikes in the American Chestnut Land Trust, nonprofit-owned forestland on the Chesapeake Bay that features 22 miles of trails. Part of this loop runs along Parkers Creek, and it includes forest and wetland areas. When you’re done with your ramble, check out Double Oak Farm, a farm and garden managed by the trust as a model of sustainable agriculture and indigenous growing methods. No entrance fee.
Calvert Cliffs. You can wade in the water and give your feet a rest at the midpoint of your hike.Jay / Flickr
Calvert Cliffs Red Trail, Calvert Cliffs State Park
4.0 miles, with options for shorter or longer hikes (AllTrails)
This trail is an out-and-back that winds through forest and marshland on the way to the beach — and the massive, fossil-filled Calvert Cliffs along the Eastern Shore. You might see all kinds of birds, snapping turtles, and other wildlife in the wetlands leading down to the beach. You can swim at the beach, and look for prehistoric shark’s teeth, too. There’s a picnic area near the parking lot for a snack or meal after your adventure. Entrance fee to the park is $5 for Marylanders and $7 for everyone else.
A wall of green in Cedarville State Forest.MDGovPics / Flickr
Cedarville Blue Trail, Cedarville State Forest
4.3 miles, with options for a longer or shorter hike (AllTrails)
Several people recommended trips to Cedarville State Forest for the quiet serenity of this woodsy preserve near Brandywine. The loop trail winds through a former pine plantation and other forests, streams, and abandoned farmland. Entrance fee is $3 for Marylanders and $5 for everyone else.
Virginia
Bayview Trail, Mason Neck State Park
1.3 miles, with options for a longer hike (AllTrails)
If water views, wetlands, and osprey and eagle sightings are your jam, this is your hike. Mason Neck is located on a peninsula into Belmont Bay, a particularly broad part of the Potomac River as it widens on its way down to the Chesapeake. This trail runs along the shore of the river, then doubles back through scrubby woods and nearby marshes. There are plenty of options to add more hiking time and mileage, with trail connections to the Eagle Spur Trail, for example. Mason Neck State Park charges a $10 entrance fee.
Donaldson Run and White Trail, Potomac Overlook Regional Park
1.8 miles, with options for a shorter hike (AllTrails)
Maybe you’re tired of hauling out to the mountains or even further-out exurbs for hiking trails. Good news: Potomac Overlook Regional Park is a beautiful stretch of forest and a stream running down to the Potomac River in Arlington. There’s plenty of rock hopping and stream crossings to keep kids entertained here, and after your hike you can stop by the parks’ Nature Center and interpretive garden.
Shenandoah River State Park, looking towards the Shenandoah ridge.Margaret Barthel / WAMU/DCist
Overlook Trail and Bluebell Trail, Shenandoah River State Park
2.7 miles, with options for a longer hike (AllTrails)
Shenandoah River State Park offers a wetter, flatter alternative to enjoying the mountain ridge: looking at it across the river valley. The trails are well-marked and the trail system is extensive enough that you could easily add on several miles along the riverbank or in the hills for a longer adventure. There are points along the Bluebell Trail and adjoining River Trail that offer river access, so you can take a quick dip if it gets hot, or enjoy a riverside picnic. Shenandoah River State Park charges a $10 entrance fee per car.
Sky Meadows State Park. The meadows are full of flowers in the summer.Margaret Barthel / WAMU/DCist
Whitehouse Overlook via Piedmont Overlook, Sky Meadows State Park
4.6 miles, with options for a longer or shorter hike (AllTrails)
Sky Meadows State Park is the Virginia Piedmont in all its glory: rolling hills, open fields, an old farmhouse, forest — plus access to the Appalachian Trail for the more adventurous hikers among us. The hike to the overlook is steep, and portions of the trail are quite sunny, so you’ll want to bring a hat and sunscreen. The park charges a $10 entrance fee.
Strickler Knob, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
10 miles (AllTrails)
For a longer hike, stunning scenery, and fewer people and cars, you can’t go wrong with heading to a national forest, and GWNF (as this one is sometimes affectionately referred to) is no exception. Strickler Knob is a serious hike with some challenging uphill stretches and a bit of rock scrambling at the end. The beautiful view and the breeze up high will reward your efforts. No entrance fee.
West Virginia
Halfmoon Mountain. (It’s nice in the winter, too!)Margaret Barthel / WAMU/DCist
Halfmoon Mountain, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
6.6 miles (AllTrails)
Listen, we know it’s a hike to get to West Virginia for an actual hike, but this one is worth it. The trail begins winding through a forest of tall trees, and then heads steadily upward to the summit. The views are magnificent. It’s the kind of place that would be mobbed if it were a little closer to D.C., but since it’s not, those willing to make the trek can enjoy the quiet.