Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. It’s likely you’ve heard of it. It’s only one of the most famous, most popular destinations in the entire Mountain State, and for good reason. Featuring verdant river valleys, majestic mountain ranges, historic churches, buildings, and battlefields, good food, a variety of boutique shops, and several excellent trail systems, Harpers Ferry in West Virginia is a delight for visitors of all ages and interests. And if you’re visiting Harpers Ferry, you won’t want to miss the chance to explore the most famous, most photographed trail in the area, a trail that leads past the most famous, most photographed church in this iconic, historic town.

A small section of the Appalachian Trail passes right through Harpers Ferry, West Virginia at what is known as the psychological midpoint of this national path stretching more than 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine.
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Marked with white blazes, this famous trail winds its way through this historic West Virginia town along cobbled streets and up old stone staircases.
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And up, and up, past old inns and historic churches and famous rock formations and quiet cemeteries.
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Grab a picture of that white blaze, and then grab some more pictures of those historic old churches: St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, with its notable, photogenic cross-topped cathedral spires...
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...and St. John's Episcopal Church, whose walls now lie in a hauntingly picturesque state of ruin along the trail.
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Both churches, different as they are, are beautiful monuments to generations past and well worth the energy required to climb all those stairs!
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And if you still have some energy left for hiking after you've passed the ruins of St. John's, continue up past Jefferson's Rock to Harper Cemetery, perched at the top of a hill overlooking the river.
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Have you ever climbed up along the Appalachian Trail through Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to view all the historic buildings and beautiful nature scenes?
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Access to this portion of the Appalachian Trail that leads up to these two historic West Virginia churches begins along High Street in Harpers Ferry; look for the staircases and white trail blazes next to the Civil Rights Museum. And while you’re here in this historic downtown, don’t miss the chance to pop in for a sweet treat at Harpers Ferry’s one-of-a-kind candy museum!

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Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Harpers Ferry, WV, USA