An easy half-mile hike along the beach between the boat landing area and the fishing pier. The trail passes through picnic grounds and features beautiful views of the Potomac. Accessible year-round

Trail type: point-to-point

Distance from Leesylvania State Park to College Park: 41.8 miles

The Bull Run Mountains, comprising the most easterly chain in the Piedmont, offer great diversity of habitats and species. There are a number of short, moderately difficult hikes to choose from. Hiking permits are not requireed, but all non- members of the Bull Run Conservancy must complete the liability waiver found here and read these use guidelines. Additionally, information on Conservancy membership is available here. Accessible year-round from dawn till dusk.

Trail type: varies

Distance from the Bull Run Mountains to College Park: 53.6 miles

This 10-mile hike through farmlands follows the remains of the C&O Canal bed and runs between Whites Ferry and Edwards Ferry, which both saw military use during the Civil War. No fees or hiking permit required. Accessible year-round.

Trail type: out and back

Distance from the trailhead at White's Ferry to College Park: 41.2 miles

A 9.4-mile hike beginning just north of the Mason-Dixon Line, this trail features the steepest Appalachian Trail grade in Maryland and an elevation gain of about 2027 feet. The trail can be rocky and slowgoing. No fees or hiking permits required. Accessible year-round.

Trail type: point to point

Appalachian Trail Maps

Distance from the trailhead at PenMar Park to College Park: 73.2 miles

A 13.8-mile hike featuring some rocky terrain through long stretches of forest along the ridge of South Mountain, leading to spectacular views from Black Rocks and Annapolis Rocks and featuring a gentle climb up to Washington Monument, the first monument to the first president, built in 1827. No fees or hiking permits required. Accessible year-round.

Trail type: point to point

Appalachian Trail Maps

Distance from the trailhead at Ensign Cowell Shelter to College Park: 64.3 miles

A 10.9-mile hike beginning at Dahlgren's Backpacker Campground on the Appalachian Trail and ending at the Ed Garvey Memorial Shelter. This moderately difficult trail passes a historical marker for a battle in which Major General Reno was killed during the Battle of South Mountain. Features a steep, rocky climb up Lamb's Knoll with an elevation gain of 1402 feet followed by a gentle hike to Gathland, home of the Civil War-era War Correspondents Memorial. No fees or hiking permits required. Accessible year-round.

Trail type: point to point

Appalachian Trail Maps

Distance from the trailhead at Dahlgren's Campground to College Park: 61.7 miles

A 6.3-mile hike beginning at Ed Garvey Memorial Shelter and ending at Harpers Ferry. The descent is a steep and rocky switchback, but this is followed by several miles of flat, wide, smooth towpath hiking. Features cliff views of the Potomac River and a 422-foot elevation gain. No fees or hiking permits required. Accessible year- round.

Trail type: point to point

Appalachian Trail Maps

Distance from the trailhead at Ed Garvey Memorial Shelter to College Park: 60.4 miles

The Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls offers spectacular scenery and is one of the most challenging hiking trails in the Washington DC area. The 4.7-mile trail runs along the Potomac River in Montgomery County from the Great Falls Overlook (near the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center) south beyond Carderock, Maryland. No hiking permits required. Accessible year-round from 7 AM till dark.

Trail type: loop

Distance from Great Falls State Park to College Park: 21.5 miles

Greenbelt Park is a part of National Capital Parks East. There are four trails in the park, but the Perimeter Trail is the longest at 5.3 miles and is marked by yellow blazes. It is popular for hiking and circles the parks western section. No fees or hiking permits required. Accessible year-round.

Trail type: loop

Distance from Greenbelt State Park to College Park: 4.6 miles

The Capital Crescent Trail forms a large C-shaped arc that extends for 11 miles between Silver Spring and the Districts Georgetown waterfront. Suitable for walkers, joggers, bikers, and rollerbladers. No fees or hiking permits required. Accessible year-round.

Trail type: point to point

Distance from trailhead in Silver Spring to College Park: 6.9 miles

This 10-mile trail system was designed with mountain biking in mind, but is a multi-use system open to cyclists, hikers and equestrians. The layout provides access to attractive scenery of wooded stream valleys and open farm fields while making efforts to protect the natural environment. No hiking permits required. Accessible year-round. Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to Sunset, March through October; and 10 a.m. to Sunset, November through February.

Trail type: loop

Distance from Seneca Creek State Park to College Park: 27 miles

This loop is a combination of all of the three major loops in the park and completes an 8.5 mile loop. Access this trail from any of these parking lots: Visitor Center, Headquarters, Wolf Rock, Thurmont Vista, or Hog Rock. The loop makes a complete circle back to any of these access points. No hiking permits required. Accessible year-round from dawn till dusk.

Trail type: loop

Distance from Catoctin Mountain Park to College Park: 69.7 miles

This 3,700-acre park offers over 21 miles of natural surface trails. The park is mostly forested and lies among the tributaries of Little Bennett Creek. No hiking permits required. Accessible year-round from dawn till dusk.

Trail types: vary

Distance from Little Bennett Regional Park to College Park: 33 miles