# # # # # #
#
#\
^
]
\
\
\
\
\
R
OHIO
NORTHCAROLINA
TENNESSEE
Wayne
National
Forest
Jefferson
NationalForest
Gu
ya
nd
ott
eRi
ve
r
Bluefield
Spencer
Marion
Princeton
Wytheville
Oak
Hill
Parkersburg
Charleston
Fayetteville
MtRodgers
##^7
8
mK
FG 24
VUÓ^77
VUÓ^79
VUÓ^77
VÓU^81
#H
p2 72
1 Harpers Ferry
While the Appalachian
Trail isn’t integral to
this trip, we do honor it
where we can. Harpers
Ferry, a postcard-perfect
little town nestled
between the Shenandoah
and Potomac Rivers,
is home to some of
the most beautiful
scenery along said trail.
Conveniently, this is also
the headquarters for
the Appalachian Trail
Conservancy (%304-535-
6331; http://www.appalachiantrail.
org; 799 Washington Trail, cnr
Washington & Jackson Sts;
h9am-5pm Mon-Fri Apr-Oct).
The visitor center is
located in the heart of
town on Washington
St and is a great place
to ask for advice about
how best to explore this
region.
For all that West
Virginia is associated
with the Appalachian
Trail, it’s only home to
a scant 4 miles of it.
However, the scenery is
so awe-inspiring that it
would be a shame to miss
it. Take a hike framed by
the wild rushing rapids
of the Potomac River
below, and the craggy,
tree-covered mountain
peaks above.
If you’re hiking from
Maryland you’ll cross
the Potomac River on
a footbridge and then
the Shenandoah River
to pass into Virginia.
While in West Virginia
proper, stop at the famed
Jefferson Rock, which
is an ideal place for a
picnic.
5 p275
The Drive » Head west
from Harpers Ferry on US
340 for about 3 miles, then
turn right onto WV-230N.
It’s about 9 miles from here
to Shepherdstown. Parking
downtown is heavily regulated
because of the nearby college,
Across the
Appalachian
Trail
The.Appalachian.Trail.runs. 2175 .miles.from.Maine.to.
Georgia,.across.the.original.American.frontier.and.some.
of.the.oldest.mountains.on.the.continent..This.journey.
fleshes.out.the.unique.ecological-cultural.sphere.of.the.
greater.Appalachians,.particularly.in.Maryland,.West.
Virginia.and.Virginia..Get.your.hiking.boots.on.and.get.
ready.for.sun-dappled.national.forests,.quaint.tree-
shaded.towns.and.many.a.wild,.unfettered.mountain.
range.
22