Maryland · Hiking · Near Ballenger Creek

Cat Rock Trail

Cat Rock TrailPhoto: Nicolas Raymond from Bethesda, Maryland, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
2.6 mi
one way
785 ft
climb
1,758 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Cat Rock Trail is a moderate 2.6-mile hike in Maryland, about 0.8 miles from the community of Hunting Creek Acres. The trail gains 785 feet in elevation, with the high point at 1,758 feet, and its climb is back-loaded, meaning the steeper stretch comes toward the end. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 75°F, with July peaking near 84°F. The trail is not wheelchair accessible, and bikes are not allowed. The trip takes about 1.5 hours. Cunningham Falls State Park lies just 0.3 miles away, with Bear Rocks at 0.6 miles and Bob’s Hill Trail at 0.8 miles. Cunningham Falls State Park Campground is about 1.1 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Cunningham Falls State Park Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Los Amigos

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rainsAcroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Schifferstadt Architectural Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 13 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Ballenger Creek

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Cat Rock Trail

    Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      39° / 23°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 25°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 31°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 42°

      12 wet

    5. May

      73° / 52°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 60°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 65°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 63°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 58°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 46°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 36°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 28°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Catoctin Mtn Park, MD, 3 mi away at 1,610 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Bob’s Hill TrailPhoto: PBoGS, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bob’s Hill Trail

~1 min drive

Quick point-to-point trail perfect for a short Maryland hike.

Cliff TrailPhoto: John Brighenti, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cliff Trail

~3 min drive

Short point-to-point Maryland trail featuring cliff views and scenic geology.

HIKE

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

~14 min drive

173.17-mile point-to-point trail in Maryland with 20,060 ft of elevation gain

HIKE

Yellow Poplar Trail

~17 min drive

6.25-mile point-to-point Maryland trail through yellow poplar woodlands.

Old Misery TrailPhoto: Nicolas Raymond from Bethesda, Maryland, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Old Misery Trail

~2 min drive

Old Misery Trail is a 1.19-mile point-to-point trail in Maryland with 418 ft gain.

Campground TrailPhoto: John Brighenti, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Campground Trail

~3 min drive

0.32-mile point-to-point trail in Maryland with 126 ft of elevation gain

Lower TrailPhoto: John Brighenti, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Trail

~3 min drive

0.50-mile point-to-point trail in Maryland with 180 ft gain and 225 ft loss.

Thurmont Vista Loop TrailPhoto: beyond_the_sea01, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Thurmont Vista Loop Trail

~4 min drive

0.74-mile point-to-point trail in Maryland with 126 ft gain

Hog Rock Loop TrailPhoto: John Brighenti, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hog Rock Loop Trail

~3 min drive

A scenic 3.91-mile point-to-point trail through Maryland woodlands.

TR-4 Whiskey Still TrailPhoto: beyond_the_sea01, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

TR-4 Whiskey Still Trail

~4 min drive

0.86-mile out-and-back trail in Maryland with 341 ft gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors