Hike Through Frederick's Municipal Forest & Watershed – Scenic, Educational, and Fun!
Join us for a hike through the beautiful Frederick Municipal Forest, a protected watershed nestled in the Catoctin Mountains. Not only will we enjoy 4.1 miles of scenic views, including a stream-side trail and a stunning pine grove at the summit, but we’ll also delve into the rich history and ecological significance of the forest.
Highlights:
Learn about the history of Frederick’s Municipal Forest and its role in preserving the city’s water supply.
Discover how the forest acts as a natural filter, safeguarding the environment and biodiversity, while sustaining Frederick’s clean drinking water.
Hear interesting facts about the forest’s wildlife, tree species, and its historical connection to Native American tribes and early logging roads.
We’ll meet at the parking area at 11:00am, and the hike will start at 11:15am sharp. The trail is graded as moderate on the AllTrails app, with 731 feet of elevation gain over a total distance of 4.1 miles. The route is filled with scenic beauty and educational stops to enhance your hiking experience!
Picnic & Pine Groves:
After about 3 miles, we’ll pause for a 35-minute picnic stop in a peaceful pine tree area near the summit. Bring a snack or lunch, water, and refreshments of your choice (if you happen to bring something that might require a corkscrew... well, who’s to judge? 😉). Feel free to bring items to share—if you "bring 2," you can even barter or trade with fellow hikers!
In the future, we’ll organize another hike like this with a Wine and Chocolate pairing, but on private lands.
After the Hike:
Once the picnic wraps up, we’ll complete the hike back to the parking area, and then head down to Springfield Manor Winery, Brewery, and Distillery for some post-hike libations and live music!
Additional Info:
If parking fills up, there are extra pull-off spots just ahead on the road, and we’ll shuttle people from those spots.
Bring a blanket or something to sit on for the picnic portion.
This is a dog-friendly hike, so feel free to bring your four-legged friends!
Looking forward to a great day on the trail with everyone! Let me know if you have any questions.
