AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

South Mountain State Park

South Mountain State Park Sunset Point & Appalachian National Scenic Trail

8.1 mi · ▲ 1,404 ft · 3 hr 24 min

South Mountain State Park Sunset Point & Appalachian National Scenic Trail is an 8.1-mile out-and-back in South Mountain State Park near Zittlestown, MD. The route reaches South Mountain State Park Sunset Point at the turnaround, 4.1 miles in. It climbs 1,404 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 7/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,132 – 1,513 ft · steepest grade: 19%8.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Appalachian National Scenic Trail 39.49890, -77.62361
Nearest town Zittlestown, MD
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Directions

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South Mountain State Park Sunset Point & Appalachian National Scenic Trail

8.1 mi · ▲ 1,404 ft · 3 hr 24 min

Elevation 1,133–1,512 ft

Out & Back · South Mountain State Park

Trailhead: Appalachian National Scenic Trail · 39.49890, -77.62361

Weather Sep 20: Drizzle, high 76°F / low 65° · precip 35% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:57 AM · sunset 7:13 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading NE.
  2. 3 miTurn left, heading N.
  3. 0.4 miTurn left, heading NE.
  4. 0.4 miSharp left, heading N.
  5. 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
  6. 200 ftBear right, heading SW.
  7. 200 ftReach South Mountain State Park Sunset Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 200 ftBear left, heading W.
  9. 200 ftBear left, heading W.
  10. 0.1 miSharp right, heading NE.
  11. 0.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
  12. 3.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/south-mountain-state-park-sunset-point-appalachian-national-scenic-trail-out-back-13-km-e461

Trail surface

98% dirt2% paved

Weather

DrizzleTemperature 76°F65°
Precip35%Wind6 mphUV6Humidity78%
Hourly temperatureRain chance
80°65° 12 AM: 2% rain1 AM: 2% rain2 AM: 3% rain3 AM: 6% rain4 AM: 4% rain5 AM: 7% rain6 AM: 5% rain7 AM: 9% rain8 AM: 15% rain9 AM: 28% rain10 AM: 35% rain11 AM: 20% rain12 PM: 14% rain1 PM: 22% rain2 PM: 15% rain3 PM: 14% rain4 PM: 31% rain5 PM: 23% rain6 PM: 8% rain7 PM: 7% rain8 PM: 15% rain9 PM: 14% rain10 PM: 16% rain11 PM: 16% rain
Sunrise 6:57 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:13 PM
Mon 68°55° 45%
Tue 56°49° 86%
Wed 54°48° 53%
Thu 60°45° 35%
Fri 67°42°
Sat 70°42°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.0 mi in (~83 min). Leave by 5:29 PM for the 7:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Appalachian National Scenic Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Zittlestown, Maryland