Loudoun Heights (Split Rock) Hike

With Maryland Heights and C&O Canal/Weverton Cliff, this is one of three beautiful vista hikes that start in the Harpers Ferry area. Significantly less crowded than the other two hikes, the Loudoun Heights hike also has several beautiful views of the Potomac River and Harpers Ferry.

The first 1 mile is also steeped with history, climbing a flight of steps hand hewn in the 1800's, passing St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, the ruins of St John's Episcopal Church, Jefferson Rock, and Harper Cemetery. All before reaching the secondary parking area where the hike crosses the US340 bridge and Shenandoah River.

Mile 0.0 – From the parking area at the Harpers Ferry train station, walk a short distance down Potomac Street, then make the right up Hog Alley. At the top of Hog Alley turn left, then in 50 yards turn right up the hand-hewn steps that lead to the most prominent landmark in Harpers Ferry, St. Peters Roman Catholic Church. The church was completed in 1833 to accommodate the influx of Irish laborers that supported the construction of the C&O Canal. During the Civil War Father Costello flew the British Union Jack to symbolize the church's neutrality, which sustained minimal damage during the war. The church was remodeled in 1869 to today's appearance.
Mile 0.2 - Now follow the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) passing the ruins of St. Johns Episcopal Church on the right. This church was used as a hospital and barracks during the Civil War, and sustained considerable damage. The church was abandoned in 1895 when a new church was built in the upper town. From St. John's continue a short distance to Jefferson Rock on the A.T.
Mile 0.3 - In 1733 Thomas Jefferson on visiting this spot proclaimed: "On your right comes up the Shenandoah, having ranged along the foot of the mountain a hundred miles to seek a vent. On your left approaches the Patowmac [Potomac], in quest of a passage also. In the moment of their junction they rush together against the mountain, rend it asunder, and pass off to the sea ... This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic." Around 1860, the US Armory Superintendant ordered red sandstone supports placed under Jefferson Rock because it was "endangering the lives and properties of the villagers below." From Jefferson Rock it is a short distance along the A.T. to Harper Cemetery. The 4-acre cemetery was set aside by John Harper, a Pennsylvania architect who passed through the area in 1747 then settled there, founding Harpers Ferry. Continue along the A.T passing a turn off to the Appalachian Trail Visitors Center on the right, then stay right on the A.T. where the trail splits, and continue to US340.
Mile 1.1 - Pass above the secondary parking area on the A.T., crossing the Shenandoah River on US340. At the opposite end of the bridge the A.T. descends down and under the bridge, then begins its ascent of Loudoun Heights. As the A.T. climbs the mountain pass over a small creek that can run nicely in the Springtime.
Mile 2.3 - After ascending for 0.5 miles cross Chestnut Hill Road. From Chestnut Hill Rd. it's 0.3 miles to the intersection of the orange blazed trail. Turn left on the orange blazed trail as it climbs to the ridge.
Mile 2.8 - Turn left on the blue blazed Loudoun Heights Trail north passing a view of the Potomac River at a power line clear-cut. The trail then descends to the right and passes around the mountain.
Mile 3.8 - Arrive at Loudoun Heights Overlook / Split Rock where the Loudoun Heights Trail ends. The overlook has beautiful views of Harpers Ferry and Maryland Heights. Now start your return by retracing your steps uphill back to the orange blazed trail intersection.
Mile 7.6 - Retrace your route to return. Arrive back a the train station parking area.

By: Daniela

7.6 miles / 12.2 km

October 04, 2019

I hiked this on 10/4/19 and apparently some changes have been made recently. The blue trail from the AT to the orange trail is blocked off with branches and the AT has been rerouted to the west of where it originally was from where it crosses from VA into WV to a little before the orange trail. I did go through the branches and take the blue trail back to the AT after heading back from the overlook. At this time it is still clear and blazed. Strange that it appears they are doing away with that section. I could find nothing wrong with it and it is definitely a much easier route than orange.

Legacy Review

By: Alan

November 10, 2018

Not a regular hiker, but figured NPS would have a nice hike for visitors. Was wrong. Am in shape, could have finished hike. Dropped leaves completely obliterated trail. Had to rely on markers. These markers are woefully inadequate! Found trees with white blazes toppled over. Mid way up we found orange ribbons around trees, was this the orange trail? No it wasn’t. Lost time there. Why were they there? White blazes ran out about mid way up mountain. My wife and I stood for 30 minutes in vain trying to find next white blaze. Was thinking couldn’t a park service employee walk the trail twice a year with 3 cans of orange, white and blue spray paint to mark the trail so that visitors can EASILY see the path? I would pay for the paint! Returned to the hotel with thought that a little foresight and work by NPS, a lot more people can enjoy this mountain. Poorly marked trail ruined it for casual hiker tourists. Don’t recommend the hike till they do the necessary markings. You will become lost.

By: Peter

Alan's review is woefully bad. I hiked Loudoun heights on Saturday as well, from Harpers Cemetery. There is nothing difficult about navigating this hike: you can hike the white blazed AT halfway up the mountain, and take the orange trail to the blue trail after going up a huge hill at the end of the orange trail. Or you can hike the white blaze to the top and turn left on the blue trail off of the white trail, which is easier in the long run because the grade lessens greatly after the orange trail and once you get to the blue it's flat or going downhill. I saw a lot of people struggling with this trail today. If you can't hike the upper Maryland heights trail, you wont be able to hike this one. As for the condition of this trail, it was fine and navigable. Trees were knocked down because the wind was blowing 40-45 mph at times. If you hike, you will find fallen trees. Its common. It was hard to stay at the overlook on Saturday with that big wind. Anyway, long story short, this is an easy hike to do if you are fit and observe your surroundings. Ive helped several people get back on the trail, after getting off because the simply were talking and not paying attention to whats going on around them. Lastly, it's fall and there are leaves everywhere. These are trails. They arent vaccumed by Harpers Ferry NPS.

By: Hobo Hiker

February 21, 2018

FYI- I hike from the Keys Gap parking lot all the time and there seems to be a lot of car break-ins at this lot. Especially if cars are left overnight. Make sure you do not leave ANYTHING valuable in your car. I suspect the nearby trailer park. Blackburn Trail Center also use to be broken into a lot before the care taker took over. Also, after a rain, the first mile of the AT towards Harper's Ferry is a swamp. The first mile of AT trail is in ridge bowl and the water has now where to go. I mean shoe deep mud.

By: Solo

February 19, 2018

Trail is mostly small to midsize rocks and poles were helpful. I did a modified version of this hike by starting at the Route 9 lot and then at mile 4 taking the left turn down to Harpers Ferry. The turn and everything else on this trail are very well marked. The hike down to Harpers Ferry was smooth and the return offered a great vertical workout. Harper's Ferry is a cool little place to stop for lunch or a snack and turn around to retrace your route. Someone did a great job of designing the highway bridge to accommodate hikers as they built a nice stairwell under the bridge and added a concrete barrier between the cars and hikers. Well done and much appreciated. In total I did about 14 miles in about 5 hours. You could easily add mileage after Harpers Ferry as the AT and C&O; Canal trail continue together in parallel to railroad tracks

By: Steve

June 01, 2017

I'd give it three stars but the Loudon Heights Overlook bumps it up to four. The best overlook I've seen on any hike in this area, and the only one I wanted to stay at for an extended time. As the description notes, the hike is rocky along most of its length. It's not much worse than the rockiest hikes I've encountered in George Washington National Forest (Signal Knob, Three Top Mountain). I did fine wearing trail runners. I had two hiking poles in my backpack in case it got too tough but didn't use them. Definitely the rockiest stretch of the Appalachian Trail I've run into in hiking 50 miles or so of pieces of it. In a couple very rocky patches I lost the trail and trail blazes but following the rocks shortly brought be back to the trail. About 20 other hikers on the AT, one other on the blue-blazed portion down to the overlook. Seemed busy for a weekday but didn't feel crowded. It was quite muddy for parts of the first mile, like 2-3 inches deep, but I was able to walk around the worst parts. A longer hike but the relatively low elevation change made it a bit easier than I expected. No streams or springs so bring enough water. This parking area is shared with the Keys Gap/Buzzard Rocks hike going south (which I also recommend). If you look at the reviews of that hike a couple note some odd characters hanging out in the parking area. There is a notice posted at the trail head to stow your belongings and lock your car. A panhandler at the trailhead asked me for spare change. I didn't feel unsafe but it's odd because I don't see such activity at any other trailhead. Please be alert.