Are you hiking NOBO (northbound↑) or SOBO↓ ?

Here are some things to consider:

• Start/Finish

  • • North End: MD/PA Border, Pen Mar Park, MD

    • South End: WV/MD Border, G.B. Footbridge, Maryland Heights, MD

• Stay(s) 

  • • North End: A seasonal hostel, Zero Day Stay, is 0.3 mi away.  Other stays are accessible by shuttle.

    • South End: Cross Trails Hostel is 1.5 mi, Quality Inn is 1.0 mile, and other lodging is in Harpers Ferry. 

• Appalachian Trail Hiker Shelters, Road Crossings, and Shuttle Drivers

  • • Here is a list of shelters, road crossings, and shuttle drivers.

• Parking

  • • North End: There is free overnight parking at Pen Mar Park (free pass req) and parking at Zero Day Stay (free for guests, $4/night for non-guests).

    • South End: It's not recommended to park in Lower Town Harpers Ferry. (Even if you have the $20 Harper's Ferry NP pass, there are rarely spaces available). Parking is plentiful at Harper's Ferry Nat Park Parking, but it costs $20.

• Terrain

  • • The North End is a bit rocky and steep, the middle is rocky but moderate, and the South End is pretty easy (comparatively).