Weverton Cliff is one the lesser-known hiking gems in the tri-state area of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Overlooking the Potomac River, this trail offers a quick, yet strenuous, hike to the jagged rock faces on top. The trail itself lies along the Appalachian Trail just outside of Harper's Ferry, and is in close proximity to the C&O Canal and US-340.
You zig-zag your way up the mountain in the beginning portions of the trail. The terrain is kind of rocky, but nothing too imposing. After this "warm-up" stretch of the trail comes the real challenge. The grade of the path becomes increasingly steeper and the dirt slowly disappears, exposing the rocks beneath. The end result is a trail that acts like an uneven stair-stepper. It's challenging, especially for inexperienced hikers, so it's best to take it slow. This is the trend of the trail until you reach the top of the mountain. From there, it's a short walk on flat(ish) ground to the lookout point.
No matter how challenging you may find it on the way up, the view is definitely worth it. You can see the river for a few miles in either direction, the same with the mountain ranges. Off in the distance is Potomac Water Gap, the area where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers combine next to Harper's Ferry.
The hike at Weverton Cliff will probably take you 20-30 minutes up, but around 15-20 minutes down thanks to momentum. I would err on the side of caution on the way down. The trail is prone to erosion. That, and the steepness of the trail could cause some nasty falls, so for all those who check it out please be careful!
Weverton Cliff is a really enjoyable hiking, a little more advanced than other trails in the area, but enjoyable nonetheless. If you live in the area and have an hour to kill, or visiting Harper's Ferry and the surrounding attractions, give Weverton Cliff a try! I promise you won't be disappointed!
If y'all have any hiking trails or places of interest you'd like me to visit and write a story on, feel free to message me or leave a comment on the site! Thanks for reading everyone!
