Information
Landmark: Appalachian Trail Access PointsCity: Martinsburg
Country: USA West Virginia
Continent: North America
Appalachian Trail Access Points, Martinsburg, USA West Virginia, North America
Overview
The Appalachian Trail twists along the eastern backbone of the U. S. for more than 2,190 miles, starting in Georgia and ending in Maine, where pine forests meet rocky shores.In West Virginia, it spans just four miles, yet those miles pack in sweeping overlooks, the rush of river crossings, and a strong link to America’s hiking tradition.Around Martinsburg and across the Eastern Panhandle, the main access points open easily onto this legendary route, like stepping straight from a quiet side street onto a road that stretches toward history.One.Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, offers the state’s most famous Appalachian Trail access point, where history feels close enough to touch in the worn brick and old rail lines.The trail winds straight through Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, crosses the Potomac River via the footbridge, then guides hikers past streets of brick and clapboard from the 1800s before rising toward Maryland Heights.In Harpers Ferry, you’ll find the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, a spot hikers often call the trail’s “psychological midpoint,” where worn boots and trail maps line the front porch.Hikers sign in here, snap a quick photo at the halfway mark, then flip through maps or trail logs left by thousands of others, some still smudged with dirt from the trail.The AT crosses a footbridge next to the weathered old B&O Railroad span, right where the Potomac joins the Shenandoah-a place known for its wide, breathtaking view and the cool drift of river mist at sunrise.Just up the trail, Jefferson Rock offers a clear view of the two rivers as they meet, with the town spread out below like a painted map.You can reach the Loudoun Heights and Maryland Heights trails, and both connect to the Appalachian Trail, winding past mossy rocks and quiet overlooks.Park at the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center, then hop on the shuttle down to Lower Town, where you might catch the smell of fresh coffee drifting from a café.Two.Weverton Cliffs Trailhead sits just over the Potomac from Harpers Ferry, near Knoxville, Maryland, and though it’s on the Maryland side, you can be there in minutes from town-making it a go‑to spot for hikers from Martinsburg or Shepherdstown, especially when the river mist drifts across the bridge in the early morning.From the parking lot, a quick, steep hike brings you to Weverton Cliffs, where the Potomac sweeps in a broad curve past the hazy ridges of the Blue Ridge.Here, the AT runs straight into the South Mountain section, climbing north toward Washington Monument State Park and dropping south over the bridge into Harpers Ferry, where you can hear the river rushing below.Weverton Cliffs makes a perfect spot for a half-day hike, a quiet sunrise shot with the sky turning gold, or an easy walk that still delivers the wild, craggy charm of the Appalachian Trail.Over the mile-long climb, you’ll gain about 1,000 feet, winding through rocky switchbacks under the cool shade of oak and hickory.Number three was scrawled in thick black ink, the kind that smudges if you touch it too soon.Keys Gap Trailhead sits along Keys Ferry Road (Route 9), roughly six miles west of Harpers Ferry, where the Appalachian Trail slips past a quiet bend in the pavement, offering hikers in the Eastern Panhandle an easy place to step onto the path.Tucked at the edge where Jefferson County, WV, meets Loudoun County, VA, this quiet trailhead leads into a hidden stretch of path that curves lazily through ridges draped in tall, whispering pines.Parking’s tight, yet there’s usually enough space for day hikers-though you might end up beside the pine trees near the trailhead.From here, if you walk east, you’ll end up in Harpers Ferry; head south instead and the trail rides the ridge toward David Lesser Shelter, then on to Bears Den Overlook in Virginia, where the wind smells faintly of pine.This stretch of trail feels quieter than Harpers Ferry, ideal for anyone craving solitude, the flutter of wings overhead, and the soft, steady crunch of boots on forest soil.It winds beneath oaks, tulip poplars, and thick mountain laurel, where spring scatters bright wildflowers and autumn sets the maples blazing red.Number four.You’ll find the Loudoun Heights access where the Appalachian Trail crosses Route 340, just south of Harpers Ferry.From there, the trail winds alongside the AT for a stretch-sometimes close enough to hear leaves crunch under a hiker’s boots-before meeting it again near the state line.Hikers climb the winding switchbacks to Loudoun Heights Overlook, where the Shenandoah River bends quietly below, framed by rolling green hills.From the overlook, you can take in one of the region’s finest panoramic views-north toward Harpers Ferry, then sweeping across the valley into Maryland, where the river glints in the sun.The route runs about seven miles round trip, with a steady climb that’ll get your legs working, and it’s usually quieter than the Maryland Heights trail.Five.The Snickers Gap Trailhead sits along Route 7 near Bluemont, Virginia, just a half-hour from Martinsburg, and offers Panhandle hikers an easy starting point for tackling a longer stretch of the Appalachian Trail, with the scent of pine hanging in the air.From Snickers Gap, hikers can head north to Keys Gap or turn south toward Raven Rocks, where wind skims the ridge and the view stretches for miles.The Raven Rocks Trail rises nearly 1,500 feet, winding over jagged climbs and dips, with wide-open mountain views, cool ridge breezes, and the sound of clear spring water trickling beside the path.Number six sat there, small and round, like it had been penciled in the corner of a page.The Dahlgren Backpack Campground and Route 40 access point sit just outside Boonsboro, Maryland, a short drive north of Harpers Ferry.Hikers heading north from town often stop here, passing tall oaks that throw patchy shade across the trail.Just off Route 40, the Dahlgren Backpack Campground offers free camping with restrooms, picnic tables, and drinkable water-a rare treat for thru‑hikers who might otherwise refill from a cold stream.This stretch of the trail winds through South Mountain State Park, shaded by thick stands of oak, passing old Civil War landmarks and offering easy, rolling ground perfect for a few days on foot.West Virginia’s stretch of the Appalachian Trail is short-just a few miles-but it still packs in the trail’s spirit, from quiet forest paths to the faint scent of pine in the air.In just a few miles, you can cross the Potomac, pass crumbling Civil War relics, and take in Blue Ridge ridgelines fading into the haze-a rare mix of history and wild beauty.Whether you live in Martinsburg or are just passing through, Harpers Ferry feels like both a welcome doorway and a quiet refuge-a spot where you can step onto a trail that threads its way along the rugged backbone of the Appalachian Mountains.Each access point has its own pace-one buzzing with hikers’ voices and the snap of camera shutters, another hushed but for leaves whispering overhead and boots grinding against cool stone.Together, they paint a vivid picture of the Appalachian Trail at its most human scale-welcoming, rich with stories, and winding endlessly through the soft green hills of the Panhandle.
