Potomac Cliff Trail (Blue Blaze) is a 3.7-mile out-and-back in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park near Bolivar, WV. It climbs 633 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
0 mi358 – 617 ft · steepest grade: 19%4.0 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Valley View Trail (Yellow Blaze) 39.32794, -77.75140
Nearest town Bolivar, WV
Directions
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Potomac Cliff Trail (Blue Blaze)
3.7 mi · ▲ 633 ft · 1 hr 33 min
Elevation 357–617 ft
Out & Back · Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Trailhead: Valley View Trail (Yellow Blaze) · 39.32794, -77.75140
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:57 AM · sunset 7:13 PM
- Start on Valley View Trail (Yellow Blaze), heading NE.
- 450 ftSharp left onto Woodpecker Trail (Red Blaze), heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Valley View Trail (Yellow Blaze), heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Potomac Cliff Trail (Blue Blaze), heading W.
- 1.1 miTurn right, heading S.
- 450 ftBear right onto Night Battle Trail, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 350 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miBear left, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn left onto Potomac Cliff Trail (Blue Blaze), heading NE.
- 1.1 miTurn right onto Valley View Trail (Yellow Blaze), heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Woodpecker Trail (Red Blaze), heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Valley View Trail (Yellow Blaze), heading NE.
- 150 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
97% dirt3% gravel
Weather
Sunrise 6:57 AMSunset 7:13 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~47 min). Leave by 6:06 PM for the 7:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from Valley View Trail (Yellow Blaze) Trailhead
- Potomac Cliff Trail (Blue Blaze) 3 mi · ▲ 460 ft
- Potomac Cliff Trail (Blue Blaze) 2.8 mi · ▲ 460 ft
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