Day Hiking

All things related to day hiking in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania; from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains.

Maryland

American Chestnut Land Trust: Located in Calvert County, near Prince Frederick, MD, ACLT is my absolute favorite for local day hikes. ACLT has 26 miles of trails through old and new mixed forests, crossing several watershed ravines and streams, featuring a variety of both wildlife and wildflowers, as wells as offering a glimpse into local history. The Prince Frederick to Bay Trail (PF2B) literally takes you to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay! My favorite trail, the Holly Hill Trail features everything ACLT has to offer and provides an excellent “training workout” hike with its changes in elevation. (5/6/24)

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary: Located in South Anne Arundel County along the upper Patuxent River, Jug Bay is located less than 20 minutes from my home on the Chesapeake Bay. This is my go-to location for an easy hike in the woods. Jug Bay has 19 miles of trails through mixed forest, marsh land, and views along the Patuxent River. The sanctuary is home to abundant wildlife, especially birds and waterfowl. One trail follows an old railroad bed for a train that ran to Chesapeake Beach on the Bay in the early 20th Century. There even is a link to the War of 1812 as the site where several of the scuttled boats of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla were found in the Patuxent River. Also of note, but not easily noticeable, are several Native American archaeological sites. (5/9/24)