Appalachian Trail: Keys Gap to Harpers Ferry

Hiked from Keys Gap parking lot to where the trail breaks open to a clearing where the high tension wires come thru, almost two miles. The trail is moderate, and in true AT fashion there is plenty of uneven terrain. This section has a narrow trail section and today was happily holding water. I would do more of it again, when I can get an earlier start.

Did a 2 night camping trip starting from Harper’s Ferry visitor center, which allows you to park for 3 days for $10. This adds about 0.50 miles one way to your journey.

At key’s gap you can get food and water at a gas station 0.3 miles down the highway that intersects the trail.

Hiked past Keys Gap as far south as “trail to blackburn trail center”, which is about 3.5 miles past the David Lessner Memorial Shelter and has an ok view. From there I doubled back. Several camp sites along the way, deer sighting, flowering trees and butterflies.

On my way back, about 1 mile before reaching Harper’s ferry, I took the blue blaze trail at the junction to get some nice views of the river. This will add a couple more miles to your trip. It’s worth it because this section of the AT is all woods and doesn’t have great views.

So far so good!

Great experience..

Nice section of the AT with easy access from Keys Gap Parking lot on Hwy 9. Not many elevation changes but sturdy shoes and trekking sticks are helpful because this trail has many rock crawls.

Mostly flat along the ridge line, but rocky. Historic Harpers Ferry was a great surprise.

A bit rocky but nice trail. Met many great hikers and their dogs!

Enjoyable and well marked. I started from the Harper's main parking lot, which adds two miles. There are a few rocky sections, moderate to easy. Very peaceful. I went on a beautiful Saturday and saw other hikers every twenty minutes or so.

Went from keys gap to the 340 bridge in Harper's ferry and back . Overall a pretty mellow trail but I will note it's very rocky and the Loudoun heights climb is pretty strong especially when muddy . Wet and muddy today so the rocks were slippery but still a great time. Not to many views but a few cool campsites and some nice wildlife sightings . I ran some and hiked some to make sure I got back before dark . Trail is getting dark about 430 or so and is a little creepy lol

We started this hike in Harpers Ferry, and passed Keys Gap, ended at Blackburn Trail Center where we parked the second car. This is part of the Appalachian Trail VA/WV section hike. The total distance is 11.5 miles.

Nice easy trail. I take my 4 kids (10,5,3,5 mos) down it regularly.

This was a very easy Trekk from the parking spot off of Rt. 9 in VA. We started our hike here and stoppes in Warners Gap, MD. The keys gap section was the easiest section of our trip, is a very rocky path so make sure you have some good shoes on. We did pass 2 small camping areas that wasn't listed on the A.T. web page that looked like a nice little over night stay for someone who is looking for an easy in and out camp night.

This is great trail! I got rained on about halfway back and it was an amazing experience to just let go and enjoy it!

The AT never disappoints and this portion of the trail, know as "the roller coaster," was a lot of fun. I hiked this with my dog as an out and back today and saw very few people. It's rocky, so the poles help, and the yak trax helped with the snow/ice. Beautiful views of the valley in the winter.

depending where you start, Starting on the MD side its all down hill and ends in Harppers Ferry. Starting in Harppers Ferry It's all up hill.