Catoctin National Recreation Trail

Catoctin National Recreation Trail is a 26.6-mile point-to-point hiking route in Frederick County, Maryland, running along the eastern-most ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mapped character centers on repeated climbs and descents over soil-and-rock tread, with an average grade reported at about 6 degrees.

Plan the route as a south-to-north hike if you want the elevation gain distributed more evenly. It links the major public-land areas in sequence from Catoctin Mountain Park toward Gambrill State Park.

The trail crosses through Catoctin Mountain Park on the federal side and continues through Cunningham Falls State Park and then Gambrill State Park, before finishing at Gambrill State Park as the southern terminus.

Along the route you’ll move through historic districts tied to Camp Greentop and Camp Misty Mount, plus historic and prehistoric archaeological resources such as Indian flint napping sites and Colonial-era charcoal hearths.

The trail route also parallels the Catoctin Mountain National Scenic Byway and crosses a state scenic byway during its run across the ridge. There are multiple scenic vistas tied to the Monocacy River Valley along the way.

Portions of the trail were designed and built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps, with later completion by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club between 1979 and 1982; the corridor was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2011.

Camping is available only at designated campgrounds along the corridor (including Rock Run Campground in Gambrill State Park, Manor and Houck Campgrounds in Cunningham Falls State Park, and Owens Creek Campground in Catoctin Mountain Park).

For practical logistics, trail surface is described as soil and rock, and the trail is permitted for hiking along segments that pass through the national park, with other uses allowed outside park boundaries.

More information: Wikipedia, Visitor information, Catoctin National Recreation Trail | Washington County - Hiiker