Gillis Falls Recreation Area

Ladder East–Rung Loop, 3 sights

2.6 mi · ▲ 296 ft · 1 hr 1 min

Ladder East–Rung Loop, 3 sights is a 2.6-mile loop in Gillis Falls Recreation Area near River Wood Hills, MD. It climbs 296 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 50/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi538 – 709 ft · steepest grade: 18%2.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.38096, -77.08458
Nearest town River Wood Hills, MD

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Ladder East–Rung Loop, 3 sights

2.6 mi · ▲ 296 ft · 1 hr 1 min

Elevation 538–708 ft

Loop · Gillis Falls Recreation Area

Trailhead: 39.38096, -77.08458

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:55 AM · sunset 7:10 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  3. 0.1 miTurn left onto Middle Run, heading W.
  4. 0.2 miTurn right onto Rung, heading E.
  5. 50 ftContinue straight onto Ladder (To be closed), heading E.
  6. 0.1 miTurn right onto Ladder East, heading NE.
  7. 1.1 miSharp left onto Gillis Ridge, heading S.
  8. 0.3 miTurn left onto Woodbrook trail, heading SW.
  9. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
  10. 250 ftThe loop closes 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% dirt21% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:55 AMSunset 7:10 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~1 min). Leave by 6:49 PM for the 7:10 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 10 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead