Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint–Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 3 sights is a 3.3-mile out-and-back in South Mountain State Park near Pen Mar Park, MD. The route reaches Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint. It climbs 400 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 26/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi1,007 – 1,421 ft · steepest grade: 25%3.4 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Blue Mountain Road 39.71116, -77.51000
Nearest town Pen Mar Park, MD
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint–Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 3 sights
3.3 mi · ▲ 400 ft · 1 hr 18 min
Elevation 1,007–1,421 ft
Out & Back · South Mountain State Park
Trailhead: Blue Mountain Road · 39.71116, -77.51000
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:12 PM
- Start on Blue Mountain Road, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading NE.
- 0.6 miPass Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint.
- 0.7 miReach Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.3 miTurn left onto Blue Mountain Road, heading W.
- 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
79% dirt1% gravel20% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:56 AMSunset 7:12 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~32 min). Leave by 6:20 PM for the 7:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from Blue Mountain Road Trailhead
- High Rock–Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 3 sights 14.9 mi · ▲ 3,021 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Pen Mar Park, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Pen Mar Park, Maryland