Maryland · Hiking

Panther Trail

Panther TrailPhoto: nikoretro, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.0 mi
one way
498 ft
climb
625 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Clear today

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 7 h ago

Panther Trail is a 2-mile point-to-point hike in Maryland, about 0.8 miles from the town of Gillcrest. It rises from roughly 590 feet to about 625 feet, with a total elevation gain of 498 feet, and is rated easy. The trail is open to horses, and bikes are not allowed. The route is a short outing that fits easily into a day of exploring the surrounding area. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 37 percent. The trail also has a small amount of descent, about 196 feet, so the total gain is not the same as the climb up. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 73°F in May and 77°F in September, with October highs near 65°F. Sandy Lane Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and The Overlook climbing area and Gunpowder South Trail (White) are each about 0.3 mile off. Raven Rocks, a climbing area, is about 0.6 mile away.

Local outfitters

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  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Panther Trail

    Best months: 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

      40° / 24°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 25°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 32°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 42°

      13 wet

    5. May

      73° / 51°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 60°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 64°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 63°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 56°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 45°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 36°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 28°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Millers 4 Ne, MD, 10.9 mi away at 860 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Sandy Lane TrailPhoto: nikoretro, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Sandy Lane Trail

Next door

0.36-mile out-and-back trail in Maryland with 22 ft gain.

Old Gunpowder South TrailPhoto: nikoretro, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Old Gunpowder South Trail

Next door

0.53-mile out-and-back trail in Maryland with 186 ft elevation gain.

Gunpowder South Trail (White)Photo: nikoretro, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Gunpowder South Trail (White)

Next door

Easy 3.35-mile out-and-back walk through Gunpowder Falls forest.

Gunpowder South Trail (White)Photo: jeffcovey, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Gunpowder South Trail (White)

~3 min drive

2.34-mile out-and-back trail in Maryland with 666 ft gain

Highland TrailPhoto: jeffcovey, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Highland Trail

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0.46-mile out-and-back trail in Maryland with 211 ft elevation gain.

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Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

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Ridge TrailPhoto: cdsessums, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ridge Trail

~14 min drive

0.36-mile point-to-point Ridge Trail in Maryland gains 181 ft.

Miners TrailPhoto: cdsessums, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Miners Trail

~14 min drive

0.31-mile point-to-point trail in Maryland with 81 ft of elevation gain

Laurel TrailPhoto: cdsessums, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Laurel Trail

~15 min drive

0.45-mile point-to-point trail in Maryland with 81 ft gain and 144 ft loss.

Virginia Pine TrailPhoto: cdsessums, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Virginia Pine Trail

~15 min drive

0.38-mile point-to-point trail in Maryland with 28 ft gain and 208 ft loss.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors