Best Climbing in Maryland

Trying to find the best climbing in Maryland? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Virginia, Fairfax County

00 :08 hrs
0.4 mi
16.753227 ft
Various

Located 14 miles from Washington D.C., Dihedrals Wall is one of many cliffs that sit along the Potomac River in Great Falls National Park. The rock is steep and drops straight into the river. With a variety of activities and the pleasant atmosphere, this area is a gem and very popular. Most of the climbing is toprope using trees for anchors. To approach the wall follow the trail and watch for the Mather Gorge plaque. Scramble down either side of the cliff to reach the bottom.

2

Maryland, Montgomery County

00 :02 hrs
0.1 mi
9.648067 ft
Various

Carderock is a cliff band that lies in a peaceful hardwood forest setting just outside of Washington D.C. along the east side of the Patomac River. The setting is beautiful and pleasant for climbing or just spectating. Routes are all toproped using tree anchors above the cliff line. To reach the base of the wall scramble down to the gully to the trail that skirts along the river. Nubble Face is located on the Hades Heights side downstream of the descent gully. You’ll find a good variety of difficulty levels. The river is directly behind the base of the cliff and very scenic.

3

West Virginia, Pendleton County

00 :17 hrs
0.5 mi
50.798553 ft
Various

Seneca Rocks is a premier climbing area that is rich with history and best known for incredible multi-pitch trad routes that offer an old-school climbing feel. It is impressive, but intimidating and requires confident gear placement. The approach is steep and exposed- with some routes that require climbing a 5.2-5.5 to reach. The rock can be loose so be sure to bring your helmet. Camping, gear and guides are available at Seneca Shadows Campground or Yokum’s in town. Ecstasy Buttress is the first buttress of rock after crossing the river. The trail splits and the Ecstasy routes are to the right (south end of cliff).

4

Virginia, Fairfax County

00 :15 hrs
0.6 mi
13.127983 ft
Various

Located 14 miles from Washington D.C., Romeo’s Ladder is one of the many cliffs that sit along the Potomac River in Great Falls National Park. The rock is steep and drops straight into the river. With a variety of activities and the pleasant atmosphere, this area is a gem and very popular. Most of the climbing is toprope using trees for anchors. Romeo’s Lader has some good routes that are anchored by trees. To access the base, rap from the trees up top or scramble down climbers left side to reach the bottom of the routes. Romeo’s Ladder is the classic here.

5

West Virginia, Pendleton County

00 :00 hrs
- mi
- ft
Various

Located 1 mile east of the small charming town of Franklin, Parking Lot Wall offers unique and rare limestone climbing in the east. With a collection of sport routes this wall is a car-to-crag approach. The area is on private property so be respectful. Leave your dogs at home and camping is not allowed at the wall- but available nearby.

6

West Virginia, Pendleton County

00 :13 hrs
0.2 mi
61.619995 ft
Unknown

Located 1 mile east of the small charming town of Franklin, this area offers unique and rare limestone climbing in the east. Impact Zone is located past the Parking Lot Wall and Contact Zone. It offers several moderate routes with a few classics. This area is on private property so be respectful. Leave your dogs at home and camping is not allowed at the wall but available nearby.

7

West Virginia, Pendleton County

00 :29 hrs
0.6 mi
130.50214 ft
Various

Seneca Rocks is a premier climbing area that is rich with history and best known for the incredible multi-pitch trad routes that offer an old-school climbing feel. It is impressive, but intimidating and requires confident gear placement. The approach is steep and exposed- with some routes that require climbing a 5.2-5.5 to reach. The rock can be loose so be sure to bring your helmet. Camping, gear and guides are available at Seneca Shadows Campground or Yokum’s in town. The South Peak holds several classics and sees the most traffic. Climb the steep stairs known as the stairmaster. Follow the talus field where things become exposed. Access Triple S from Luncheon Ledge.

8

Virginia, Fairfax County

00 :20 hrs
0.8 mi
15.951818 ft
Various

Located 14 miles from Washington D.C., Bird’s Nest is one of the many cliffs that sit along the Potomac River in Great Falls National Park. The rock is steep and drops straight into the river. With a variety of activities and the pleasant atmosphere, this area is a gem and very popular. Most of the climbing is toprope, using trees for anchors. Bird’s Nest is one of the better walls at Great Falls and features routes geared towards the more experienced climber. The cliff has over 10 routes averaging about 50-60ft. tall. Z-Slash and Two-Lane Highway are the must do routes.

9

West Virginia, Pendleton County

00 :06 hrs
0.1 mi
24.135925 ft
Various

Located 1 mile east of the small charming town of Franklin, this area offers unique and rare limestone climbing in the east. Contact Zone is found just up the trail from the Parking Lot Wall and a good variety of moderate sport routes. This area is on private property so be respectful. Leave your dogs at home and camping is not allowed at the wall but available nearby.

10

Maryland, Montgomery County

00 :03 hrs
0.1 mi
11.334955 ft
Various

Carderock is a cliff band that lies in a peaceful hardwood forest setting just outside of Washington D.C. along the east side of the Patomac River. The setting is beautiful and pleasant for climbing or just spectating. Routes are all toproped using tree anchors above the cliff line. To reach the base of the wall scramble down to the gully to the trail that skirts along the river. Elsie’s Area is the next formation downstream from Jane’s Face. There are a few challenging routes and the classic Sterling’s Crack.

See more adventures..

Explore complete list