Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Campground
Sites open the weekend of Nov 13 on Recreation.gov
Virginia · Rock climbing · Potomac · Near Linton Hall
Spitzbergen
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 9 routes
- 5.7 – 5.11
- Trad · Top Rope · Bouldering
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Spitzbergen is a climbing area in Virginia, about 0.8 miles from the town of Fairview. It sits among several other climbing spots and trails, including Cow's Hoof, Great Falls and the Billy Goat Trail Section A, all within about a tenth of a mile. For climbers, the routes here offer a mix of trad and top-rope styles. Nine routes are listed, with grades ranging from 5.7 to 5.11 on the YDS scale and V7-8 on the V scale. Tombstone and Soapstone are top-rope climbs, while The AAU Crack and A Winter's Tale are trad and top-rope options at the 5.10+ level. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 76°F and September highs around 79°F, with July peaking near 88°F. Other climbing areas close by include Downstream Climbs and Degree 101, both within about 0.3 miles. Paddlers can find Little Falls Branch, a canoeing spot in Maryland, about 7.7 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Old Anglers Inn
Restaurant
On your way back · 1 mi
If it rainsJoe Ravi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsColvin Run Mill
Museum
On your way back · 3 miOperational 19th-century water-powered mill in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Joe Ravi, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)
More in Linton HallBest time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Spitzbergen
Best months: March–June and September–November. 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.
Jan
43° / 25°
10 wet
Feb
46° / 27°
9 wet
Mar
55° / 33°
11 wet
Apr
68° / 44°
11 wet
May
76° / 54°
11 wet
Jun
84° / 63°
10 wet
Jul
88° / 68°
10 wet
Aug
86° / 66°
10 wet
Sep
79° / 59°
9 wet
Oct
68° / 47°
10 wet
Nov
56° / 36°
10 wet
Dec
47° / 30°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD, 7.6 mi away at 150 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Cow's Hoof
Next door
Cow's Hoof in Virginia has 10 traditional climbing routes across 6 grades.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Degree 101
Next door
12-route climbing crag in Virginia with 10 difficulty grades, top-rope and trad.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Mather Gorge Maryland - Greek Wall Area
Next door
5 trad routes at Mather Gorge Maryland - Greek Wall Area in Virginia.
Photo: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Romeo's Ladder
Next door
Romeo's Ladder in Virginia has 14 climbing routes on 12 difficulty grades.
Photo: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Seclusion
Next door
Seclusion in Virginia has 17 climbing routes with 12 difficulty grades.
Photo: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Mather Gorge Maryland - Trojan Wall Area
Next door
Mather Gorge Maryland - Trojan Wall Area is a climbing crag in Virginia with 5 routes.
Photo: C&O Canal NHP, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Juliet's Balcony
~1 min drive
Juliet's Balcony is a Virginia climbing crag with 3 trad routes.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Lower Balcony
~1 min drive
Lower Balcony in Virginia has 5 climbing routes ranging from 5 difficulty grades.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Juliet's Balcony - Upper Balcony area
~1 min drive
Juliet's Balcony - Upper Balcony area in Virginia has 6 climbing routes across 4 grades.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Juliet's Balcony: Upstream
~1 min drive
6-route climbing area in Virginia with top-rope and trad options.
