Here I’ve compiled a list of local adventures, which I plan to attempt over the next few years. Some notes:

• All these adventures start and/or finish from home. My preference is for adventures that both start and finish from home, so the entire expedition is self-powered.
• Running is not included since my knees don’t appear to be strong enough these days. Hence the ultra-distance events are now multi-day adventures, which just means I get to enjoy the adventure for longer 😉
• All these adventures can be enjoyed in summer or winter conditions, and I hope to complete them all under both types of conditions.
• There are a multitude of shorter trails in and around Harpers Ferry that I’ve not included in this list.
• ✅ indicates that this adventure has been done in summer conditions. ❄️ means done under winter conditions.
• Links to trip reports added where complete.
• This list is a work-in-progress that I’ll likely add to as I discover more adventures in the area! Some are also aspirational and will probably change when I research the routes in more detail! 🙂

Single-day hiking adventures

• Loudon Heights (7 miles) ✅ ❄️ [LINK 1, LINK 2]
• Stone Fort Loop (8 miles) ✅ ❄️ [LINK]
• Weverton Cliffs (12 miles) ✅ [LINK]
• 2 peak: Loudon + Stone Fort loop (15 miles) ✅ [LINK]
• 2 peak: Stone Fort loop + Weverton Cliffs (18 miles)
• 3 peak: Loudon + Stone Fort + Weverton Cliffs (25 miles) ✅ [SOLO, WITH PETE]
• 4 peak (include Bolivar Heights)
• 5 peak (include Bolivar Heights and Fort Duncan)
• To Keys Gap return (12 miles) ✅ [LINK 1, LINK 2]
• To David Lesser shelter return (19 miles) ✅ ❄️ [LINK]
• To Raven Rocks trailhead one-way (21 miles) ✅ [SOLO]
• To Edward B. Garvey Memorial Shelter return (17 miles) ✅ [LINK]
• To Gathland State Park return (~24 miles) ✅ [LINK]
• To White Rocks Trail Overlook return (~31 miles)
• To Rocky Run Shelter return (~33 miles)
• To Raven Rocks return (~34 miles)
• To Major General Jesse Reno Monument return (~36 miles)
• Every street in Harpers Ferry walk

Single-day bike adventures

• Return trip to Shepherdstown (30 miles) ✅ [LINK]
• Sugarloaf mountain from home and return (50+ miles, 5 miles hiking)
• Return trip to DC (120 miles)

Single-day SUP adventures

There are lots of accessible rivers here, both flat and whitewater, that naturally link features. My preferred water craft is a SUP.

• SUP tours on the Potomac river ✅ [link]
• SUP tours on the Shenandoah river

Single-day multi-sport adventures

The goal in 2023 is to combine disciplines into multi-sport adventures. Mostly these will be multi-day adventures, but there are a few that work as long day outings:

• Bike to Shepherdstown, SUP return to home (20 miles bike + 20 miles river)
• Three Peaks using rivers instead of bridges for the crossings

Multi-day adventures

Style: Go as light as possible and be as self-sufficient as possible. Take either a lightweight tent or hammock.

• Multi-day river tours on the SUP (2 – 7 days)
• Bike & SUP: bike upstream on C&O and SUP back downstream on Potomac river (2 – 7 days) ✅ [LINK]
• Hike & SUP: hike south on A.T., SUP home on Shenandoah (2+ days)
• Hike Ashby Gap to home (40 miles, 3 days) ✅ [LINK]
• Hike home to Front Royal (60 miles, 4 days)
• Hike home to S end of Shenandoah (150 miles, 10 days)
• Bike & SUP the C&O and GAP trails (~330 miles, yo-yo 700 miles)

Truly, there’s enough adventure in my local area to occupy a lifetime!