Monument Knob–Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint, 5 beaches
6.7 mi · ▲ 1,291 ft · 2 hr 53 min
Monument Knob–Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint, 5 beaches is a 6.7-mile out-and-back in South Mountain State Park near Greenbrier, MD. The route passes Greenbrier State Park Beach, Greenbrier Lake and Monument Knob before reaching Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3.3 miles in. It climbs 1,291 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 9/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Monument Knob–Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint, 5 beaches
6.7 mi · ▲ 1,291 ft · 2 hr 53 min
Elevation 858–1,541 ft
Out & Back · South Mountain State Park
Trailhead: 39.53928, -77.61520
Weather Sep 20: Light rain, high 78°F / low 67° · precip 35% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:57 AM · sunset 7:13 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 50 ftPass Greenbrier State Park Beach.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftPass Greenbrier Lake.
- 350 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 350 ftBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 500 ftContinue straight onto Bartmans Hill Trail, heading NW.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading S.
- 2.5 miReach Monument Knob, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftPass Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint.
- 2.5 miTurn left onto Bartmans Hill Trail, heading N.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 350 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.3 mi in (~110 min). Leave by 5:02 PM for the 7:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Annapolis Rock Spring–Greenbrier Lake, 4 beaches 7.4 mi · ▲ 1,523 ft
- Annapolis Rock–South Mountain State Park Viewpoint, 5 viewpoints 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,423 ft
- South Mountain State Park Sunset Point–Greenbrier Lake, 4 beaches 5 mi · ▲ 1,218 ft
- South Mountain State Park Sunset Point–Greenbrier Lake, 4 beaches 4.7 mi · ▲ 1,176 ft
- Greenbrier Lake–Greenbrier State Park Beach Loop, 3 beaches 0.9 mi · ▲ 110 ft
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