These 6 Washington DC Hiking Trails Lead To Some Incredible Pieces Of History

The Maryland Heights Trail is in Harpers Ferry West Virginia. It’s a favorite hike in the area because it offers spectacular views and amazing history. The trail will take you to ruins of Civil War forts, trenches and encampments. There is signage throughout the hike so you can learn while you hike.

The Cabin Branch trail is a short trail in Prince William Forest Park in Northern Virginia. The trail takes you along the banks of Quantico Creek to the site of the old Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine which was in operation from 1889 to 1920. When the mine was in operation, it brought more than 200,000 tons of pyrite to the surface.

Head to Maryland to enjoy the Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail. The trail is only 0.5 miles but it takes you to the replica of an old whiskey still. The original Blue Blazes Trail was destroyed in a raid in the 1900s but you can still learn about the fascinating history of distilleries during the Prohibition era.

A 3.1 mile loop in Rock Creek Park, the Boulder Bridge Loop is a beautiful trail that takes you through the prettiest parts of Rock Creek. You’ll cross over the Boulder Bridge which was constructed in 1902 and it is said that the bridge was frequented by Theodore Roosevelt.

The Fort Circle Trail in DC follows part of the chains of forts that guarded DC. It’s a 7.9 mile trail that connects Fort Mahan, Fort Chaplin and Fort DuPont. You can see six of the original 68 forts that defended DC.

The Henry Hill Loop Trail is in Manassas Battlefield Park in Virginia. This loop is one of the most popular loops in the park and the trail connects many of the battlefield’s major landmark such as Henry Hill House and General Stonewall Jackson’s artillery line.