Description: This is a moderate 7.5 mile loop in Catoctin National Park, MD. It features a pleasant walk along Big Hunting Creek on an un-official fisherman’s trail, 1200 feet of total elevation gain and what seems like one great vista after another. Being about an hour and thirty minutes away from Baltimore and Washington and mere minutes from the Pennsylvania border makes this is a very popular hiking venue in the region. With its popularity come the crowds. I prefer to hike it in the winter when the solitude is far greater and one is more apt to get a clear day to enjoy the four fantastic vistas. I’ll admit that the best views are in fall when the surrounding hardwood forest is aglow with the reds, oranges and yellow of the season. Fortunately the Visitor Center has a pretty large overflow parking lot.

Google Custom Directions to Catoctin Mountain Visitor Center

Trail Notes: The Park service did away with blazes several years ago in an attempt to make the park seem more like wilderness. With the exception of the unofficial Fisherman’s Trail all trail intersections are well posted with details and distances. Furthermore the trails are well worn. It is almost impossible to get lost here if you bring this map or one you can obtain for free at the Visitor Center. The trails colored in blue and red are certified with a GPS unit. The yellow trails were drawn in using the Park’s free map as a reference. I have not walked them so cannot comment on their condition. There are other trail segments shown on the park map but I did not find their intersections with the trails we walked so I left them out. These notes describe the longest possible circuit which includes all of the vistas in the park. Shorter loops with fewer vistas can be made by utilizing the yellow trails shown here.

Starting at the Visitor Center, cross MD 77 and walk over to Hunting Creek. Turn left and follow the creek downstream, soon walking in the shade of Hemlock trees as you go. Keep an eye out for trout in the stream. Eventually you will pick up an obvious footpath used by fishermen. Follow it east. At two points the hill on the left will force you up onto the road but you should be able to descend to the creek in only a handful of steps. As you near the Cat Rock Trail parking lot the bank will become just too steep and rocky. Climb up to the road, cross to the opposite shoulder and walk east on Rt77 a short distance to the trailhead to Chimney Rocks on the left (0.97 miles from the visitor Center).

Turn left onto this trail and begin to climb, with the aid of switchbacks, to Chimney Rocks. You’ll pass the Crow’s Nest Trail on the right and in about 0.9 miles reach the spur trail to Chimney Rocks.

After enjoying the view return to the main trail and follow the sign directing you to Wolf Rocks. Reach the spur trail for Wolf Rocks in 0.48 miles. Climb around this unique Quartzite outcrop but watch out for the deep crevices!!!

Return to the main trail and turn right following the signs for Thurmont Vista. In 0.37 miles pass a sign for a cut-off trail leading to Park Central Road and the Visitor Center. Continue straight following the sign for Thurmont Vista.

Arrive at Thurmont Vista in 0.7 miles from the last trail junction. Here you can enjoy the view on a bench or one of several rocks.

Return to the main trail and turn right following the sign toward Park Central and Hog Rock. In 0.22 miles come to an intersection with a near parallel trail with a sign – “Camp Airy”. Continue downhill on the main trail.

In another 0.15 miles arrive at a four way intersection. Turning left takes you back to the Visitor Center. Going straight leads you out to Park Central Rd. Turning right will take you to Hog Rock Vista. Turn right.

In another 0.65 miles arrive at the Blue Ridge Summit Overlook. Enjoy the view and return to the main trail and turn right. From here the remainder of the trip will be flat or downhill with the exception of a few short hills on the Nature Trail.

In 0.25 miles arrive at a picnic area on Park Central Road with latrines. Cross Park Central Road and follow the Hog Rock Nature Trail for 0.39 miles to the last of the vistas, Hog Rock. From here you can see much of what you traveled with views of the backs of Chimney Rocks and Thurmont Vista to you left. To the right you might spy Cat Rock which we visit on another hike.

From here follow the signed trail to the right. Descend quickly, passing the Nature Trail (the return leg) on the left at 1.0 mile and soon arrive at Rt77. Turn left on the shoulder of Rt77. In a short distance cross the road and follow the gravel trail and boardwalk to view Cunningham Falls.

Return to the Nature Trail and turn right onto it. The sign says that the distance is 1.2 miles back to the Visitor Center. I think it’s more like 1 mile. There are a few low hills here as you weave in and out of some neat rock formations but generally speaking this is an easy piece of trail worth enjoying as you return to your car.

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Printable/Downloadable Directions and Trail Notes

Critique this Hike.

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Name: Matt Zimmerman Hike: Catoctin Mountain Loop
Date: 3/28/08 Rating: 4

Critique: Trail was in good condition although without markings you do need to pay closer attention to see the signs and intersections. Moderate rating for this hike is spot on. There were no extreme sections that we encountered and the vista we saw at Chimney Rock was beautiful. I couldn't really find the vista at Wolf Rock but the rock structures there were amazing with 1-2ft wide cracks that dropped 20-30ft; careful! After Wolf Rock we looped back on the side trails back to the Visitor Center.

A quick heads up about the park, I went with my wife and another couple and we had decided to tent somewhere in the park that night. There is no tenting along the trails and the camp sites were closed for the winter I guess. The only place we could stay were in the Adirondack shelters (3-sided wooden building with a roof, require registration but free). These are located in the furthermost north western part of the park along the horse trail. Let's just say they weren't as comfortable as the ground and not near as warm as a tent. (It got below freezing while we were out there.)

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Name: Jason S Colflesh Hike: Catoctin Mtn Loop
Date: 7/15/2007 Rating: 4

Critique: This was a very good hike! I had a curious method of finding it - I ran across two ladies that were hiking using this guide. As such, I missed the trout section - I had gone from the Visitor Center up the side of the mountain to Wolf Rock. That part was rather steep and windless, and not very pleasant at all. I would say the view from Chimney Rock was probably the best of all of them. Unfortunately, it had been rather dry, so Cunningham Falls was a bit disappointing. In any event, I'd say it was quite enjoyable, and rather vigorous in spots. Nice design!

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Name: Zeb Amoss Hike: Catoctin Mtn loop
Date: 1/9/06 Ranking: 3

Critique: Very nice hike! The weather was unseasonably warm (around 60) which accompanied by midday/midweek timing on my part made it possible to go all day without seeing another person. Definitely one of the most surreal day hikes I've taken in a while!

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Name: Tom Fournier Jr Hike: Catoctin Mtn Loop
Date: 2/21/2006 Ranking: 4

Critique: This trip was a beautiful hike. I completed this trip in the reverse of what is mentioned above. The views provided at the five major vistas were breath-taking. The weather was on the cool side, with the Cummingham Falls being frozen over. While up on Wolf Rock, I was able to enjoy the view of a pair of Black Vutures prenning and sunbathing. I was able to get about 20 Yards from them and took numerous pictures. Also, just past the Thurmond Vista (or just prior to it if doing trail in reverse) is the Charcoal Trail. This provides about a .75 to 1 mile trip around a self-guided trail with signs talking about the "days of ole" process for charcoal making. The charcoal made here was used by the Catoctin Furnance (located about 2 Miles south on Rt 15).

There are a few points on the hike where the trail can be a little steep but don't that that keep you from some beautiful history and scenery in MD. Well worth the trip.

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Name: Bob von Pentz Hike: Catoctin Mountain
Date: 1/27/07 Rating: 4

Critique: The hike was very much as described. The morning started out at 27 degrees which didn't stop me from working up a good sweat on the initial ascent up the switchbacks (I managed to miss a turn an bushwhacked up -- need to be a little more aler next time). After that climb, the rest of the hike was a easy and enjoyable walk through the woods where I encountered only two couples. While I didn't linger at all the vistas they were excellent. I am sure to return for a more leisurely hike. The GPS waypoints provided here were spot on, thanks. My only dislike was dodging the cars on the brief time on the road as the hike begins.

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