The Appalachian Trail and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath are both accessible from here and offer two very different types of hikes.
How to get there
- Amtrak CHI to HFY (~16 hours) Departs: 6:40pm, Arrives: 11:31am
Directions to the C&O Canal Towpath from HFY
- From the Amtrak station Walk (0.4 miles) to the trail head
Directions to the Appalachian Trail from HFY
- From the Amtrak station walk (0.3 miles) to the trail head
Various Hike Options
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath West
- Harpers Ferry to Cumberland (~124 miles)
- Walk (0.4 miles) to the Cumberland Amtrak Station
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath East
- Out and back looks like the best option, although you could make your way into DC (WAS) ~63 miles
Appalachian Trail South
- Harpers Ferry to Staunton (Maryland- West Virginia Line to Rockfish Gap, 162 miles)
- Walk to Waynesboro (3.6 miles)
- Bus to Staunton Amtrak Station (~1.5 hours)
Appalachian Trail North
- Out and back is the best option I found here