Forested Allegheny Plateau ridgeline hiking trail near Hagerstown Maryland
28 Trails Within 100 Miles

Best Hikes Near Hagerstown

28 hiking trails within 100 miles of Hagerstown, from South Mountain's Appalachian Trail overlooks to Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands and state high point Mount Davis

Closest: 27 miles
Drive Time: 36 min - 2 hrs
Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous

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⚡ Closest Trails 🥾 Easy Hikes ⛰️ Moderate Hikes 🚗 Farther Day Trips 📍 All 28 Trails

Hagerstown Sits an Hour From Real Elevation

South Mountain, right at Hagerstown's own edge, carries the Appalachian Trail through the area — well-known ground, but not the named-summit database this guide draws from. Head west instead and the Allegheny Plateau starts to rise: this guide's closest tracked trail, Big Mountain, is about 27 miles and a 36-minute drive into south-central Pennsylvania. Push a little farther and the Maryland/Pennsylvania Allegheny cluster — Dans Rock, Wolf Rock, Fairview, Sampson Rock — sits 65 to 68 miles out, and Pennsylvania's own state high point, Mount Davis, tops out the farthest tier at just over 100 minutes via I-70 and US-219.

This guide covers all 28 trails within 100 miles of Hagerstown, sorted by actual distance from real trailhead coordinates — not the city center. Each trail includes:

  • ✓ Exact distance from Hagerstown (measured from the trailhead, not the summit)
  • ✓ Trail difficulty rating (easy, moderate, hard)
  • ✓ Elevation gain & distance
  • ✓ Parking information & fees
  • ✓ Interactive trail maps
  • ✓ Real-time weather conditions
⚡

5 Closest Trails to Hagerstown

Perfect for a quick morning hike

Big Mountain
2,428 ft

Big Mountain

3.6 mi
1.5 hrs
751 ft
Moderate View
36 min
Savage Mountain
2,667 ft

Savage Mountain

5.7 mi
2.5 hrs
1224 ft
Hard View
75 min
Bearwallow Mountain
2,500 ft

Bearwallow Mountain

1.8 mi
0.5 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
76 min
Loop Mountain
2,461 ft

Loop Mountain

7.8 mi
3 hrs
929 ft
Hard View
77 min
Big Savage Mountain
2,566 ft

Big Savage Mountain

1.9 mi
1 hrs
410 ft
Easy View
77 min
🥾

Best Easy Hikes Near Hagerstown

Gentler Allegheny Plateau summits, great for beginners and families

Bearwallow Mountain
2,500 ft

Bearwallow Mountain

1.8 mi
0.5 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
EASY
Big Savage Mountain
2,566 ft

Big Savage Mountain

1.9 mi
1 hrs
410 ft
Easy View
EASY
Sampson Rock
2,936 ft

Sampson Rock

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
187 ft
Easy View
EASY
Mount Etna
2,595 ft

Mount Etna

3.1 mi
1 hrs
371 ft
Easy View
EASY
The Elbow
2,605 ft

The Elbow

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
72 ft
Easy View
EASY
Baughman Rocks
3,153 ft

Baughman Rocks

2.3 mi
1 hrs
170 ft
Easy View
EASY
Mount Davis
3,212 ft

Mount Davis

2.3 mi
1 hrs
170 ft
Easy View
EASY
Vought Rock
2,946 ft

Vought Rock

1.4 mi
0.5 hrs
78 ft
Easy View
EASY
⛰️

Moderate Hiking Trails

More climbing, still a manageable day trip

Big Mountain
2,428 ft

Big Mountain

3.6 mi
1.5 hrs
751 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Dans Rock
2,897 ft

Dans Rock

7.8 mi
3 hrs
466 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Wolf Rock
2,730 ft

Wolf Rock

7.8 mi
3 hrs
466 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Stein Mountain
2,415 ft

Stein Mountain

11.6 mi
4 hrs
368 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Fairview
2,700 ft

Fairview

4.1 mi
1.5 hrs
696 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
Saint John Rock
2,920 ft

Saint John Rock

6.8 mi
2.5 hrs
377 ft
Moderate View
MODERATE
🚗

Farther Day Trips

Worth the extra drive — Pennsylvania's own state high point

Savage Mountain
2,667 ft

Savage Mountain

5.7 mi
2.5 hrs
1224 ft
Hard View
75 min
Bearwallow Mountain
2,500 ft

Bearwallow Mountain

1.8 mi
0.5 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
76 min
Loop Mountain
2,461 ft

Loop Mountain

7.8 mi
3 hrs
929 ft
Hard View
77 min
Big Savage Mountain
2,566 ft

Big Savage Mountain

1.9 mi
1 hrs
410 ft
Easy View
77 min
Schaefer Head
2,946 ft

Schaefer Head

6.8 mi
3 hrs
1031 ft
Hard View
83 min
Sampson Rock
2,936 ft

Sampson Rock

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
187 ft
Easy View
86 min
Dans Rock
2,897 ft

Dans Rock

7.8 mi
3 hrs
466 ft
Moderate View
87 min
Mount Davis
3,212 ft

Mount Davis

2.3 mi
1 hrs
170 ft
Easy View
104 min
📍

All 28 Trails Near Hagerstown

Sorted by distance from Hagerstown

Big Mountain
2,428 ft

Big Mountain

3.6 mi
1.5 hrs
751 ft
Moderate View
27 mi • 36 min
Savage Mountain
2,667 ft

Savage Mountain

5.7 mi
2.5 hrs
1224 ft
Hard View
56 mi • 75 min
Bearwallow Mountain
2,500 ft

Bearwallow Mountain

1.8 mi
0.5 hrs
213 ft
Easy View
57 mi • 76 min
Loop Mountain
2,461 ft

Loop Mountain

7.8 mi
3 hrs
929 ft
Hard View
58 mi • 77 min
Big Savage Mountain
2,566 ft

Big Savage Mountain

1.9 mi
1 hrs
410 ft
Easy View
58 mi • 77 min
Schaefer Head
2,946 ft

Schaefer Head

6.8 mi
3 hrs
1031 ft
Hard View
63 mi • 83 min
Sampson Rock
2,936 ft

Sampson Rock

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
187 ft
Easy View
64 mi • 86 min
Dans Rock
2,897 ft

Dans Rock

7.8 mi
3 hrs
466 ft
Moderate View
65 mi • 87 min
Wolf Rock
2,730 ft

Wolf Rock

7.8 mi
3 hrs
466 ft
Moderate View
65 mi • 87 min
Stein Mountain
2,415 ft

Stein Mountain

11.6 mi
4 hrs
368 ft
Moderate View
66 mi • 87 min
Fairview
2,700 ft

Fairview

4.1 mi
1.5 hrs
696 ft
Moderate View
66 mi • 88 min
Saint John Rock
2,920 ft

Saint John Rock

6.8 mi
2.5 hrs
377 ft
Moderate View
68 mi • 90 min
Mount Etna
2,595 ft

Mount Etna

3.1 mi
1 hrs
371 ft
Easy View
69 mi • 92 min
Big Savage Mountain
2,995 ft

Big Savage Mountain

5.4 mi
2 hrs
400 ft
Moderate View
72 mi • 96 min
The Elbow
2,605 ft

The Elbow

1.1 mi
0.5 hrs
72 ft
Easy View
72 mi • 97 min
Meadow Mountain
2,966 ft

Meadow Mountain

9.8 mi
4 hrs
1099 ft
Hard View
76 mi • 101 min
Salt Block Mountain
2,802 ft

Salt Block Mountain

10.7 mi
3.5 hrs
354 ft
Moderate View
76 mi • 101 min
Baughman Rocks
3,153 ft

Baughman Rocks

2.3 mi
1 hrs
170 ft
Easy View
78 mi • 104 min
Mount Davis
3,212 ft

Mount Davis

2.3 mi
1 hrs
170 ft
Easy View
78 mi • 104 min
Vought Rock
2,946 ft

Vought Rock

1.4 mi
0.5 hrs
78 ft
Easy View
80 mi • 107 min
Sugar Point
2,438 ft

Sugar Point

7.2 mi
2.5 hrs
440 ft
Moderate View
82 mi • 110 min
The Dunghill
2,730 ft

The Dunghill

7.2 mi
2.5 hrs
440 ft
Moderate View
82 mi • 110 min
Packhorse Mountain
2,766 ft

Packhorse Mountain

0.9 mi
0.5 hrs
115 ft
Easy View
83 mi • 110 min
Wild Turkey Rock
3,228 ft

Wild Turkey Rock

4 mi
1.5 hrs
446 ft
Moderate View
84 mi • 111 min
Little Snaggy Mountain
2,789 ft

Little Snaggy Mountain

0.4 mi
0.5 hrs
430 ft
Easy View
85 mi • 113 min
Eagle Rock
3,127 ft

Eagle Rock

0.3 mi
0.5 hrs
17 ft
Easy View
85 mi • 114 min
Allegheny Heights
3,205 ft

Allegheny Heights

0.8 mi
0.5 hrs
217 ft
Easy View
88 mi • 118 min
The Little Mountain
2,927 ft

The Little Mountain

1.2 mi
0.5 hrs
66 ft
Easy View
90 mi • 120 min

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest hiking trail to Hagerstown, MD?
The closest hiking trail to Hagerstown is Big Mountain, located just 27 miles away (36 minute drive), in south-central Pennsylvania.
How far is Mount Davis, Pennsylvania's state high point, from Hagerstown?
Mount Davis is roughly 78 miles (104 minutes) from Hagerstown via I-70 and US-219 — Pennsylvania's own state high point, reachable within a two-hour drive.
Are there real mountains near Hagerstown, MD?
Yes — South Mountain, right at Hagerstown's edge, carries the Appalachian Trail, but the real elevation starts about an hour west: Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands and Allegheny Plateau, cresting near 3,000 feet at Mount Davis, are all within a two-hour drive.
What are the best easy hikes near Hagerstown for beginners?
Several of the Allegheny Plateau summits — Bearwallow Mountain, Big Savage Mountain and Sampson Rock among them — are rated easy and well-marked, within about 90 minutes of Hagerstown.
How far is the Maryland/Pennsylvania Allegheny cluster (Dans Rock, Wolf Rock, Fairview) from Hagerstown?
Dans Rock, Wolf Rock and Fairview all sit roughly 65-66 miles (87-88 minutes) from Hagerstown, on the same Allegheny Plateau shoulder as Mount Davis but noticeably closer — a good middle tier between South Mountain and the farthest day trips.

Essential Tips for Hiking Near Hagerstown

🚗 Getting There

  • • For the closer Pennsylvania Allegheny cluster, take I-70 W then US-30/US-219
  • • For the Dans Rock/Wolf Rock/Fairview cluster, continue on I-68 W via Cumberland
  • • For Mount Davis, PA, take US-219 N past Deep Creek Lake
  • • Download offline maps in case of poor cell service on back roads

🎒 What to Bring

  • • Water: 2+ liters per person
  • • Snacks: Trail mix, energy bars, fruit
  • • Layers: the Allegheny Plateau ridgelines run noticeably colder and windier than the valley
  • • First aid kit & headlamp

📅 Best Times to Visit

  • • Summer (Jun-Aug): Best weather, most crowded
  • • Fall (Sep-Oct): Peak foliage — the Allegheny Plateau overlooks fill early on weekends
  • • Spring (Apr-May): Mud season on wooded trails
  • • Winter (Dec-Mar): The closer Pennsylvania cluster stays walkable with traction on most routes; Mount Davis sees real snow and needs full winter gear

⚠️ Safety First

  • • Check weather forecast before leaving
  • • Tell someone your hiking plans
  • • Turn back if weather deteriorates
  • • Stay on marked trails