Appalachian Trail Maryland and West Virginia
Maryland: The 40 miles of Trail in Maryland are characterized by a 38-mile walk along the ridge crest of South Mountain. This offers a good choice for a three-or-four-day trip with good views that is never too far from towns and highways. The trail joins the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath at the Potomac River.

West Virginia: The trail crosses the Potomac River into West Virginia at Harpers Ferry on a footbridge built onto a railroad bridge. ATC headquarters is at the corner of Washington and Jackson Streets, uphill from Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. The Trail soon leaves West Virginia across the Shenandoah River opposite Harpers Ferry. It will touch this state line again near Pearisburg, VA., for almost 20 miles.

Permit Information
Permits are not required to walk the Trail or for overnight camping in MD and WV. Vehicles and pack animals are prohibited.

Directions
The AT crosses from Pennsylvania into Maryland half way between I-81 and Rt. 15.

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