Loop trails in Md or north VA

[stormin norman]

I am trying to find a loop trail in either MD or northern VA. I am hopefully planning a 2-3 day hike and a loop trail would be the easiet option without having to use a shuttle. Does anyone have any ideas or know of any good trails that would fit the bill? I am looking for trails about 30-45 miles in length. Hopefully some of you fine folks can help me out.

[wilconow]

Not sure if this fits under the definition of Northern Virginia, but you can create a loop of that length in the Great North Mtn area of GWNF. Get the PATC guide. It's a great area

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/lee/recreation/hiking/great_north_mountain.shtml

Don't think you can do a loop of that length in Massanutten (next range east)

The Wild Oak Trail is an option, but it's only 28 miles and further west/south than Great North Mtn

The only option for loops in Maryland is way out in the Western part of the state, like Savage River State Forest. In Green Ridge you can do one with the C&O canal but it's more an overnight I believe.

[ki0eh]

The Green Ridge big loop with the C&O is 45 miles http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/greenridgetrails.asp and also part of Great Eastern Trail http://www.greateasterntrail.org

[wilconow]

Thanks for the correction!

[ki0eh]

The GRSF also has another kind of "backpacking" loop - about 6 miles http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id178.html for those interested

[stormin norman]

ki0eh,

Have you hiked the Green Ridge loop? I looked at the link/map and it looks like a good portion of the trail is on the C&O canal. Is this right or does it just follow the canal for a bit and then get back onto a trail?

[ki0eh]

I've hiked a good lot of the part that's not on the C&O and also some of what is (Paw Paw Tunnel). If memory serves the C&O towpath part is about 1/3 of the loop. The section that's called Long Pond Trail (the northeastern part of the loop) has to me some of the most interesting scenery anywhere but the treadway itself is often not fully up to the finest A.T. standards.

Here's the western part of the loop: http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id105.html
Here's the northeastern (plus a little more): http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id104.html

I remember reading a trail report somewhere of someone who's done the loop as a backpack. If I remember where I'll post a link.

[stormin norman]

Thanks! This looks like it could be a nice hike. I appreciate the information. The links provided some half decent maps to give me an idea of what is there. Thanks again.