Weverton Cliffs, South Mountain State Park, August 2016

Perched at the southern tip of South Mountain, more than 500 feet above the Potomac River, Weverton Cliffs in central Maryland is easily one of the state’s most scintillating viewpoints. It is also relatively easily accessible—less than a mile’s hike up the famed Appalachian Trail from the small community of Weverton, which in turn is a short drive from Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Visitors to Harper’s Ferry should consider this hike as a less crowded—and arguably more scenic—alternative to Maryland Heights or Loudoun Heights upriver.

Map of Appalachian Trail to Weverton Cliffs, South Mountain State Park; created using National Geographic Maps/AllTrails, alltrails.com (Check out the PDF version, interactive map, or MapMyHike track)

*Check out more hikes in Maryland, the Harper’s Ferry area, or South Mountain State Park.*

The hike

Situated along the 2,190-mile long Appalachian Trail (AT), there are effectively two avenues of approach to Weverton Cliffs. The first—and far longer—option is to start at Gathland State Park near Burkittsville, MD and take the AT southbound for nearly six miles each way, making for a long day trip. (Note: That is, unless you have a shuttle pick-up waiting at Weverton.) The quicker option is to start at the Park & Ride off Weverton Road (see map), roughly halfway between Harper’s Ferry and Brunswick, MD. (Note: other guides have the hike starting in Harper’s Ferry, tacking on an additional 3.3 miles each way.)

The trail begins at a white-blazed telephone pole adjacent to the parking lot; look for a narrowing clearing heading southeast into the woods. Within seconds, this small spur meets the AT; bear left (northbound) at the fork. Snaking through the woods below the roadway on the left, the AT crosses Weverton Road at 0.07 miles.

Rocky stairs at the other end of the road mark the beginning of the upward climb. Stop at the trail kiosk on the left for a map of Maryland’s 40 AT miles, then continue up the woody hillside. The incline picks up at around 2/10 mile, but gently sloping bends lessen the burden.

Appalachian Trail to Weverton Cliffs

During a southbound straightaway, the trail levels out as it approaches a group of three short switchbacks at around ½ mile. Following a short climb, the AT tracks northbound to a pair of switchbacks at 6/10 mile, then climbs three more to reach the base of a rock wall on the left.

Appalachian Trail to Weverton Cliffs

Four more switches get hikers to the top of the wall, but the trail leaves the rocks behind as hikers make a final push to the hike’s high point at around ¾ mile. Here the route forks. While the AT continues left, take a right on the spur to Weverton Cliffs to reach your destination. The trail effectively dissolves away shortly after the junction, but it is simple enough to descend the slope—dropping around 60 feet in elevation to the jagged edge of the cliffs.

Approaching Weverton Cliffs

The views from Weverton Cliffs are truly fantastic. Ahead of you the mountain drops 500 feet to the Potomac River, while Buzzard Rock (1,183’) and Short Hill Mountain (1,424’) continue along the other side in neighboring Virginia. On a clear day, it is also easy to spot the gap in the heights to the west where Harper’s Ferry is situated. Abundant shade near the cliff’s edge offers a nice opportunity to have a seat and a snack and take in the scenery.

Potomac River and Short Hill Mountain from Weverton Cliffs

Peering west toward Harper’s Ferry from Weverton Cliffs

Return the way you came, enjoying the much-easier descent to the Park & Ride. Allot around 1.5-2 hours for the hike.