Directions to Outdoor Climbing Sites

Climbing is a thrilling and rewarding sport that can be enjoyed by all ages and experience levels, but it is important to realize that climbing involves inherent risks. Personal accountability is integral to the sport, and it is mandatory that each individual accept responsibility for their actions and their choice to climb. We feel strongly that one of the keys to climbing safety is high quality instruction and recommend participation in an Earth Treks course prior to heading to any of the sites listed below.

Seneca Rocks, West Virginia

Directions From Earth Treks Columbia MD

Take 95 South to 495.
Take 495 West to 66.
Take Interstate 66 West to Interstate 81 South.
Exit on to Route 55 following signs to Wardensville. This exit is approximately five miles down I 81 South from I 66 West. Route 55 will take you through Wardensville, Moorefield, Petersburg, and on to Seneca.
NOTE: Be mindful of speed limits through these small towns- the local police have a lot of time on their hands!

Approximate Driving Time: 3.5-4 hours

Old Rag Mountain, Virginia

Directions from Earth Treks Columbia MD

South on I-95
West on I-495
West on I-66
South on Rt. 29 (exit 43A) toward Warrenton
In Warrenton, bear right onto Rt. 29/211 West toward Sperryville
In Sperryville left on Rt. 522 South for 1 mile
Right on Rt. 231 for 8 miles
Right on Rt. 601 (you should see your first Old Rag Sign here)
Cross bridge, turn right and continue on Rt. 601/600 for 3 miles
Lower parking area for Old Rag will be on your left
Continue another mile to the trailhead

Approximate Driving Time: 2 hours

Rock State Park, Maryland

From Earth Treks Columbia MD-

North on Baltimore Beltway, North on I-695
North on I-95 for 10-12 miles
North on Rt. 24 (Bel Air exit)
Follow for 20 miles and turn left on St. Clair Bridge Rd.
In about 1 mile look for entrance to Rocks State Park on you left

Approximate Driving Time: 1 hour 15 min

Carderock, Maryland

From Points North-

I-495 (Washington Beltway) West toward N. Virginia
Take Exit 41 (Carderock)
Take first exit (approximately 1 mile)
Turn left at top of ramp
Follow winding road to Stop sign, turn right
Follow road until it ends in the climber's parking lot
Crag is 100 yards down trail past the bathrooms

From Points South-

I-495 (Washington Beltway) North toward Rockville, Md.
Cross Potomac River on the American Legion Bridge (stay in right lane in order to exit at end of bridge)
Take Exit 41 (Carderock, Clara Barton Pkwy.)
Bear left at fork in ramp onto Clara Barton Pkwy.
Take first exit (approximately 1 mile)
Turn left at top of ramp
Follow winding road to Stop sign, turn right
Follow road until it ends in the climber's parking lot
Crag is 100 yards down trail past the bathrooms

Great Falls, Virginia

Coming From the South:

Take 495 (Washington Beltway) towards Rockville, MD. Exit onto the Georgetown Pike (in VA), Exit #44.
At top of ramp, turn LEFT onto Georgetown Pike.
Follow this winding road approx. 5 miles to first traffic light.
Turn RIGHT at traffic light. Follow this road to toll booth at park entrance where an entry fee is collected.

Coming From the North:

Take 495 West (Washington Beltway) towards Northern Virginia.
Cross the Potomac River on the American Legion Bridge into VA. Bear RIGHT at first set of exits in VA. Stay in the LEFT lane of the two exit lanes. Take Georgetown Pike EXIT #44. (Avoid being tricked onto the George Washington Parkway)
At the top of the ramp, turn RIGHT onto Georgetown Pike. Follow this winding road approx. 5 miles to first traffic light.
Turn RIGHT at traffic light. Follow this road to toll booth at park entrance where an entry fee is collected.

After passing through the toll booth, take the immediate sharp right into a U shaped parking lot (be careful not to miss this turn or you will go to the wrong parking lot). This is typically the climber's parking lot.

Annapolis Rock and Black Rock, Maryland

From Earth Treks Columbia MD-

I-70 West toward Fredrick
Pass through Frederick continuing on I-70
Get off at the Myersville Exit (Exit 42)
At top ramp turn right.
In less then a mile turn right on Rt. 17
In ½ mile turn left on Rt. 40
In a mile or two at top of large hill look for parking lot on left
Trailhead is across street from parking area
Follow Appalachian Trail North about 1½ -2 miles
Look for signs for Annapolis Rock
Black Rock is another mile or so north on the AT

Approximate Driving Time: 1 hour

Coopers Rock, West Virginia

From Earth Treks Columbia MD-

I-70 West
Take I-68 West/US 40 West-Exit 1A toward Cumberland
Stay on I-68 West
Once in West Virginia get off at Exit 15, you should see signs for Coopers Rock State Forest
Turn left at top of ramp.
Follow paved road to gravel parking lot on left before overlook

Shaffers Rocks

From Earth Treks Columbia MD-

I-70 West
North on Rt. 66 (towards Smithburg)
Right on Rt. 64 (north)
Right on Rt. 418 (east towards Rouzerville)
Left on Rt. 16 (west)
First right onto Old Forge Rd. (about 1/10 of a mile)
Follow Old Forge Rd. north for about 5-7 miles.
After you pass Camp Penn, look for 2nd dirt road on LEFT (approxiamately ½ mile), this is Swift Run Rd. (the sign may be down)
Follow up steep dirt hill for about 1 mile.
Road will make a 90 degree bend to the left, park in this area.
Blue blazed trail at road bend leads to rocks (approximately 100 yards away from road.
This trail also leads to a locked cabin, if you reach the cabin you have gone to far.

Approximate Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

White Rocks

From Earth Treks Columbia MD-

I-70 West
North on Rt. 66 (toward Smithburg)
North on Rt. 64 (toward Waynesboro, PA)
In Waynesboro, pick up Rt. 997 North for 10 miles to Pond Banks
Make right onto White Rocks Rd.
Once road turns to gravel, travel 10 yards more and park near road which turns to left leading to water tower.
Be sure to not block access to road
A five-minute walk up the road, past the tower to the left and follow the trail to the rocks

Approximate Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Patapsco Valley State Park

Illchester Crag

From I-695-
Exit at Fredrick Road headed West for approximately 2 miles
Left on Hilltop Rd.
Park in dirt lot on left under powercut
Hike trail into woods and at fork in trail go right

Approximate Time:Under 30 minutes

Friction Slab

From Illchester-

Frederick Road west to Ellicott City
As you enter town on Main St. you will pass under a railroad bridge, take first left at The Phoenix Emporium and use metered parking on either side of lane.
Hike away from Main St. along the railroad tracks about 250 yards
Look for a small concrete post on right
A faint trail leads about 100 yards to the quarry walls

Approximate Time: Under 30 minutes

Woodstock Wall

From I-695-

I-70 West
Exit on MD Rt. 29 North
Left on first traffic light onto MD Rt. 99
3.9 miles turn right onto Woodstock Rd.
Park in large gravel lot on left, just before crossing railroad tracks
Walk down the tracks away from Ye Old Woodstock Inn, for 200 yards
You should spot this small dirty outcrop on the hillside on your left.
At the small railroad maintenance shed follow the trail up the cliffs

Approximate Time: Under 30 minutes

Sugarloaf Mountain

From Washington DC-

North on I-270
Exit 22, MD Rt.109 West (toward Comus)
After 3 miles turn right onto Comus Rd.
Follow for a few miles and look for entrance to Sugarloaf Mountain on right
Take one-way road up to parking areas (West View is the best place to park)

Approximate Time: About 1 hour

Maryland Heights

From Earth Treks Columbia MD-

I-70 West
Rt. 15 South
Road turns into Rt. 340 West
Enter Harpers Ferry, West Virginia follow signs to Historic District
Park in Harpers Ferry and walk across the river next to the train tracks and walk to base of cliffs
*You must sign in at the Ranger Station in Harpers Ferry and pay the fee, otherwise you will be "rescued" and charged a fine.

Approximate Time: 1 hour and 15minutes

New River Gorge and Summersville, West Virginia

From Earth Treks Columbia MD-

I-70 West
I-68 West toward Morgantown
In Morgantown South on I-79
South on Rt. 19
Rt. 19 South will take you through Summersville then into the New River Gorge.

Approximate Driving Time: 5-6 hours