Hiking at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
25 miles of trails
Sturdy footwear is recommended due to the rocky footing on most trails.
Trails are well marked, but taking a trail map on your hike is strongly recommended. Maps are available at the trailhead parking areas and the center office. Distances listed are one-way.
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center Trail Map (PDF)
Trail Definitions
Difficulty Ratings
Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.
Trail Route Type
Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.
1. Pine Plantation Trail
0.6 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches
This loop trail on soft pine needles takes hikers through the heart of the 42-acre coniferous plantation which was planted in the 1950s.
2. Whispering Pines Trail
0.3 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches
This paved, ADA accessible trail takes hikers into the pine plantation. Self-guided signs along the way teach about the history of the pine plantation and the trees that grow there.
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
3. Rock Scree Trail
1.9 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This linear trail connects the Pine Plantation and Mansion areas by crossing over the ridge and rocky outcrop where Antietam quartzite was quarried to construct the mansion.
4. Ridge Overlook
0.8 miles | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This linear, ridge-top trail with boulder outcrops and a view of the valley below presents a more challenging hike. Rock Scree and Kings Gap Hollow trails provide access to Ridge Overlook Trail.
5. Forest Heritage Trail
1.8 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This loop trail reveals another part of the area's rich history, passing several charcoal hearths that have been unused for over 100 years. Maple Hollow and Rock Scree trails provide access to Forest Heritage Trail.
6. Maple Hollow Trail
1.3 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables, benches
This loop trail traverses a hollow with rich soils, plentiful water, and resulting maple forest.
7. Woodland Ecology Trail
0.6 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: benches
Signs placed along this mossy loop trail help hikers to interpret forest ecology and identify plants. Hikers can enjoy wild azalea and mountain laurel blooming in May.
8. Scenic Vista Trail
2.5 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms at Kings Gap Hollow Area, picnic tables, benches
Traveling between the Scenic Vista parking area and the Kings Gap Hollow Days Use Area, the trail through the forest has a scenic vista mid-way along the trail.
9. White Oaks Trail
0.3 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches
This paved, ADA accessible trail has educational signs about the ecology of the forest.
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
10. Watershed Trail
1.9 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms at Kings Gap Hollow Day Use Area, picnic tables, benches
From the Kings Gap Hollow Day Use Area, this trail wanders along a bubbling creek then loops around through the forest. Watershed Trail also connects to the pond and Pond Parking Area.
11. Boundary Trail
2.4 miles | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Listen for birds and enjoy the solitude of the forest as you hike one of the park's most challenging trails.
12. Kings Gap Hollow Trail
2.4 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, and benches in Mansion Day Use Area
From the Mansion Use Area, the trail first leads through an oak forest. The trail then wanders along Kings Gap Hollow Run, a clear stream full of tiny waterfalls, to the Pump House Parking Area.
13. Locust Point Trail
1.0 mile | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail is an alternative route off Boundary Trail. It travels through woods to an opening created by fallen locust trees and offers a scenic view of Kings Gap Hollow in the winter.
14. Buck Ridge Trail
1.8 miles in the park, 6 miles total | Most difficult hiking | Point-to-point trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, and benches in Mansion Day Use Area
This challenging, rocky trail overlaps with Scenic Vista Trail until splitting off into Michaux State Forest. The trail then follows a network of foot paths and old logging roads leading to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for a total of 6.0 miles.
15. Black Gum Trail
1.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables, benches
This linear trail with an abundance of black gum (tupelo) trees follows the southwestern contour of the mountainside near the Mansion Area. For a longer hike, continue hiking on Kings Gap Hollow Trail or Forest Heritage Trail.
16. Nature Trail
0.2 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches
This short trail loops around the Education Building, guiding walkers on a mostly level circuit through open forest and berried understory.
17. Cold Spring Overlook Trail
0.5 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This out-and-back trail travels up from the Scenic Vista Trail, and then turns along the center's eastern boundary providing great views down to Cold Springs Hollow. The trail ends abruptly before an area with steep elevation.
18. Upper Irish Gap Hollow Trail
0.4 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
This trail meanders along the idyllic Irish Gap Hollow Run, with many wooden bridges and natural stone crossings.
19. Two Hollows Trail
0.9 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail links the Lower Irish Gap Trail with the Boundary Trail for a longer hike.
20. Lower Irish Gap Hollow Trail
0.6 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
From the Pine Brook Day Use Parking Area, hike down to the creek and find the remains of an old rock dam.
21. Forest Pools Trail
1.2 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Green diamond markers
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables, benches
This trail loops through mixed forest in the Forest Pools Area, taking the hiker by several vernal pools. Educational kiosks explain the methods used to restore these special habitats.