Catoctin Trail

The Catoctin Trail is a 26.6 mi (42.4 km) hiking trail that traverses federal, state, and municipal woodlands along the northern half of Catoctin Mountain in Frederick County in central Maryland, USA. The hilly terrain is typical of western Maryland with large sections canopied under dense forest cover.

History

The trail was constructed between 1979 and 1982 by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club who continue to maintain the trail.

Route

The trail's southern terminus begins in Gambrill State Park (GMP). The trail continues north through GMP for approximately 3.0 miles (4.8 km) and then leaves the park and enters the Frederick Municipal Forest (Frederick City Watershed). The trail travels north for 10.6 miles (17.1 km) through the Forest, staying mostly to the east of the ridge crest on the bench of the mountain. As the trail enters Cunningham Falls State Park (CFSP) it descends northeasterly off the bench and into Catoctin Hollow reaching its lowest elevation of 600 feet (180 m) as it crosses Catoctin Hollow Road. After crossing the road the trail turns northwesterly and then climbs to its highest elevation of 1,760 feet (540 m), atop Bob's Hill. After traveling 8.8 miles (14.2 km) through CFSP the trail enters Catoctin Mountain Park (CMP), a unit of the federal National Park Service. The trail traverses 4.2 miles (6.8 km) through the Park to its northern terminus at Mt. Zion Road, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) miles north of Owens Creek Campground in CMP. From there, the Appalachian Trail may be reached by traveling west on Mt. Zion Road to Raven Rock Road for 2 miles (3.2 km).

Restrictions

• Camping is permitted along the Catoctin Trail only at Rock Run Campground, Gambrill State Park; the Manor and Houck Campgrounds, Cunningham Falls State Park; and Owens Creek Campground, CMP.

References

• Appalachian Trail Guide to Maryland and Northern Virginia, 16th ed. 2000.