Blackwater Canyon Railroad Grade

The rusted rails are long gone, but the Western Maryland Railway’s engineering marvel still cuts through Blackwater Canyon like a ledge carved into stone. This 10.7-mile rail-to-trail conversion follows the old railroad grade from Coketon to Hendricks, hugging the canyon walls 200 feet above the churning Blackwater River. The most dramatic section passes through Pendleton Point, where the track was blasted from sheer rock faces, and crosses the Big Run portal where trains once disappeared into mountain darkness.

This is an easy to moderate route suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though the crushed limestone surface can get muddy after rain. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, with spectacular autumn colors in late September. No permits required, but bring your own water and fuel up in Davis or Thomas. The payoff is pure Appalachian drama — deep gorges, waterfalls, and some of the most untouched wilderness left in the Mid-Atlantic. Have a dirty day.