Front Royal (US 522) → Harpers Ferry, WV
Front Royal to Harpers Ferry
55 mi · 3-5 days · Moderate
The northern end of Virginia's AT includes the Roller Coaster — a famously relentless series of short, steep ups and downs maintained by the PATC — and the Blackburn and Bears Den hiker centers.
It finishes at Harpers Ferry, the symbolic midpoint of the trail and home to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy visitor center.
Waypoints
| Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bears Den Hostel & Rocks | Lodging | Stone lodge just off the trail near Snickers Gap, with a west-facing rock overlook nearby.Hostel operations and hours change. Confirm before planning a stay. |
| Snickers Gap (VA 7) | Parking | Busy day-hike access point at the top of the Blue Ridge on VA 7.Lot fills on weekends. |
| Harpers Ferry, WV | Public transit | Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters and visitor center, with MARC and Amtrak rail service.Rail schedules and ATC visitor center hours change seasonally. |
Highlights
- The Roller Coaster
- Bears Den Rocks
- Blackburn Trail Center
- Harpers Ferry and the ATC
Road crossings
- US 522
- VA 7 Snickers Gap
- VA 9 Keys Gap
Resupply
- Bluemont — limited
- Harpers Ferry — full resupply and outfitters
Nearby towns
- Front Royal
- Bluemont
- Berryville
- Harpers Ferry
Planning details
- Elevation gain
- Not yet verified
- Parking and access
- Snickers Gap (VA 7) and Keys Gap (VA 9) lots; Harpers Ferry town parking.
- Shuttles
- Northern Virginia shuttle drivers and MARC rail service at Harpers Ferry.
- Terrain
- Rocky, root-laced tread with constant short climbs on the Roller Coaster.
- Wildlife
- Bears present; very high tick density in this corridor.
- Seasons
- Water is limited on the ridge in late summer.
- Regulations
- Camping is restricted to designated sites in parts of this section.
- Emergency
- Winchester and Leesburg have hospitals; access roads are frequent.