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Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA)
Catoctin Mountain Park is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

1. Catoctin Mountain Park

8.6
6602 Foxville Rd (Park Central Road), Thurmont, MD
National Park · 9 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: If we're 4Sq friends then you already know this is my favorite "local" mountain. Tons of trails to choose from and pretty views, enough for multiple return visits.

Great Falls Park is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

2. Great Falls Park

9.4
9200 Old Dominion Dr (at Georgetown Pike), McLean, VA
Park · 144 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: River Trail is has a lot of gorgeous stopping points to take in the scenery. Even though it's only a few miles, it will take a while to complete. Don't plan to rush through.

Sugarloaf Mountain is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

3. Sugarloaf Mountain

8.5
7901 Comus Rd, Dickerson, MD
Mountain · 20 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Study the trail map because there are a lot of opportunities to mix and match. For the brief ascent - orange sunrise is way cooler than the green trail.

Caledonia State Park is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

4. Caledonia State Park

8.3
101 Pine Grove Rd (Route 233), Fayetteville, PA
State or Provincial Park · 8 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: There's a fairly steep climb at the start of the hearth trail, but when you finish there is a nice loop that takes you along the mountain ridge with views from many angles.

5. Michaux State Forest

Long Pine Run Reservoir, Fayetteville, PA
Lake · 3 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Rocky Knob or bust

6. Billy Goat Trail

9.1
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, Potomac, MD
Hiking Trail · 29 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Rock scrambling within 30 minutes of DC!

Manassas National Battlefield Park | Henry Hill Visitors Center is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

7. Manassas National Battlefield Park | Henry Hill Visitors Center

8.4
6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA
Historic and Protected Site · 11 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Fairly simple nature walk but if you wander off the trail, then you'll find some cool stuff. Pet-friendly and some good historic points.

8. Rock Creek Park

9.3
Beach Dr NW (at Park Dr NW), Washington, D.C.
National Park · Rock Creek Park · 43 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: I have only done the trail that was blazed blue, it is good for when you are coordinating with a city friend who is afraid of the suburbs.

Pimmit Run Stream Valley Park is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

9. Pimmit Run Stream Valley Park

Westmoreland St, McLean, VA
Park · 2 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Point to point, follows Pimmit Run. Not much of a hike in my opinion, maybe better for an "outdoor running trail" with houses nearby. The part where Pimmit meets Potomac is beautiful though.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

10. Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

7.3
Arlington, VA
Hiking Trail · 7 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Another very long point to point that I personally don't love. Too many highways and houses during various stretches. Turn around and go back to TRI.

Theodore Roosevelt Island is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

11. Theodore Roosevelt Island

8.8
Analostan Island, Washington, D.C.
Monument · Northwest Washington · 28 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Ok so this isn't a hike but I have to include it. It opens at 6am every day. Go in and find your spot, and watch the sunrise. You won't regret it. PS icy swamps are kind of awesome.

Bull Run Regional Park is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

12. Bull Run Regional Park

9.1
7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA
Park · 14 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Great 18mile point to point with ups and downs that is scenic and somewhat challenging. I would actually suggest starting and car park b, not a. Have a friend park at d!

Cunningham Falls State Park is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

13. Cunningham Falls State Park

9.1
14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd, Thurmont, MD
State or Provincial Park · 11 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Beautiful waterfall and fairly simple well marked trail to get there. It appears that there is a good lake by the trailhead for water sports in the summer too.

Scott's Run Nature Preserve is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

14. Scott's Run Nature Preserve

8.4
7400 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA
Hiking Trail · 8 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Get off the trail and do some legit exploring, then you'll have a real challenge and awesome views of the Potomac! Meets up with PHT too. *not liable for anyone who uses this tip though*

15. Strickler Knob

Luray, VA
Mountain · 1 tip

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Challenging there-and-back with some rock scrambling and consistent elevation gain, probably 8-9 mi total. So much less crowded than old rag, which is great. No pic for this tip :(

Dark Hollow Falls is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

16. Dark Hollow Falls

7.6
Marksville, VA
Scenic Lookout · 5 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Super quick down to the falls and then steep back up where you started. Probably takes between 45 and 90 minutes depending on your age and stamina. Great up close views of cascades!

Lewis Falls is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

17. Lewis Falls

Stanley, VA
Scenic Lookout · 2 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: I almost didn't leave a tip bc I don't want people to know about this one. Falls are fine but the views of massanutten and allegheny mtns beyond are superb. Trails arent crowded & you can pick up AT.

Billy Goat Trail is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

18. Billy Goat Trail

9.1
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, Potomac, MD
Hiking Trail · 29 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: While on Section C, you can spot the Scotts Run waterfall across the Potomac! :)

Billy Goat Trail is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

19. Billy Goat Trail

9.1
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, Potomac, MD
Hiking Trail · 29 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: If it's raining and you don't want to cancel your plans, Section B is a good alternative. It's mostly covered by trees.

20. Old Rag Mountain Summit

8.4
Shenandoah National Park, Madison, VA
Hiking Trail · 6 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Love and hate relationship with old rag. Beautiful and challenging hike - but littered with way too many people and overplayed. People say it's better overnight for a sunrise view. Maybe next time.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is one of Local Hikes (DC/VA/MD/PA).

21. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

9.3
171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV
History Museum · 29 tips and reviews

Alicia D.Alicia Dunn: Maryland Heights combo. Fall foliage. FTW.