July 18, 2010 8:00 AM - 35 attended

Hike f/ Friends of Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway Swinging Bridge/Waterfall

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Hike for Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway: Patapsco State Park-Swinging Bridge, Waterfall, Dam-Newbie/Very Easy 2 mi up to 9 Moderate Miles Option including Cascade Trail: Distances Range from 2.5-9.55 Total Miles


The Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway Inc. (FPVHG) is dedicated to preserving, protecting, interpreting and restoring the environment, history and culture of the Valley. Our group is volunteering to host and lead/sweep a series of hikes for this marvelous non-profit group. FPVHG is the same group that hosts the once a month kayaking trips down the Patapsco river that we enjoy and does almost all trail maintenance projects in the valley in addition to the removal of invasive species. Only 5 spaces are available for our members so that most spaces can be filled by them so I hope you get a spot to enjoy a hike with these wonderful people. We are excited for the opportunity to do something in turn for the group responsible for keeping the park so well maintained!

See waterfalls, rivers, streams, upland forest, historic structures, and entire herds of deer in our groups customized hike. This is a fantastic social hike!!!

If you pause during your trek through the forest, you are likely to see rabbits, gray squirrels, beavers, white-tailed deer and red fox. Listen for the beautiful songs of warblers or the whistle of a red-tailed hawk soaring overhead. Along the banks of the river, bird watchers will spot Canada geese, green herons, kingfishers, mallards and wood ducks year-round. Although rarely seen, screech owls, barred owls, great-horned owls, kestrels and wild turkeys also inhabit the forest.

Click here to see pictures from a recent trek on this trail!

This adventure has several distance and difficulty options so there is truly something for everyone so come on out for good times! Newbies who like to stroll as well as seasoned hikers are welcome. Just know that the first two legs are very easy and parts in this section are on paved paths but much is packed dirt. But, if you stay for the last leg of this hike that goes beyond the falls, it becomes the typical rooty and rocky Maryland terrain with a couple of stream crossings and is a moderate hike.

This trek begins with a trek on a mostly paved path (2.5 very easy/newbie) and explores the swinging bridge and some interesting ruins. The second leg is also on a paved path (1.25 very easy miles-family/stroller) and takes us to the world's first internally housed hydroelectric dam and back. The third leg is out and back on a packed dirt, hilly, and rocky path leading up to Cascade Falls (0.5 moderate miles). Ready to explore beyond the falls? Join us for our fourth and final leg for a custom hike of several combined trails with several minor stream crossings with stepping stones (5.3 very moderate mile circuit with minor stream crossings with stepping stones). This brings our total hike distance to 9.55 miles if you complete all the legs of this hike!

Trail Information
Nearby City: Ellicott City
Length: Varies as described above but 2.5 - 9.55 with three bailouts.
Trail Type: Modified Loop
Skill Level: Varies from Very Easy, paved and flat to Moderate only due to length and some rolling hills on rocky terrain
Duration: Options ranging from 1 to about 5.5 hours with an average of a 2-2.5mph pace for the stroll paced group and a 3+mph for the brisker group.
Trailhead Elev: Options ranging from 20 to 300

Weather Information
We hike rain or shine!
Click here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking.

Carpool Information


Due to the proximity of the trailhead to the hike leaders location, there no formal carpool. However, if you can drive or want to carpool from any locations such as the DC area, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!

Directions to the Trailhead


Click here for directions to where we meet for this hike.

Hike is at a beat the heat time of 8:00AM


Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie and practice good hike etiquette . We take breaks as necessary and have at least one guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back and ALL guides/sweepers are equipped with two way waterproof radios (15 miles) with GPS navigator and NOAA weather in addition to polling for optimum safety on the trail, which means that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then find another group! We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting or staying fit on the trail and practicing leaving no trace

Fido is welcome on this hike!


The park has a 2.00 dollar entrance fee payable by the honor system at the gate entrance.


Let's have good times and see you on the trail!

Kellie Carlisle [masked]

  • A former member

    Is anyone carpooling from the DC metro area? I do not have a vehicle so I will need a ride to the trail head!

    Posted July 4, 2010 at 9:18 AM
  • Juana
    Juana

    I need a ride please I live in DC

    Posted July 12, 2010 at 9:12 PM
  • Sirish
    Sirish

    I need a ride from Bethesda area and can meet anyone going from VA or MD over the beltway (right at the exit to Wisconsin avenue). Appreciate it as I am without a car at the moment.

    Posted July 17, 2010 at 11:39 AM
  • Richard
    Richard

    If you could use another hike leader let me know.

    Posted July 17, 2010 at 7:52 PM
  • Richard
    Richard

    Thank you to everyone that came out for this hike. You are all some great folks and I look forward to see you all again on another hike. Stay safe.

    Posted July 20, 2010 at 10:04 AM
  • Louise
    Louise

    Beautiful spot, and great taking some new trails. Thanks to fellow hikers who rallied to support a hiking friend who was not feeling well-you're super!

    Posted July 20, 2010 at 1:23 PM
  • David
    David

    Park Range opened the gates early at our request and we set off along the railroad tracks to cross the swinging bridge and hike the glen.
    Think we covered about 6 miles up and down hills at a moderate pace. Good folks and friendly conversation. I'd like to explore the trails around the lower end of the Orange Grove site the next time out.

    Posted July 21, 2010 at 4:47 PM
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35 attended

RSVPs closed

5.00 5.0014 (14 ratings)
  • Event Host
    Kellie Carlisle
    Hike Leader, Organizer
  • Event Host
    Mike H.
    Hike Leader, Co-Organizer
  • Event Host
    Justin Carlisle
    Hike Leader, Assistant Organizer
  • Diane
    Nice mix of people from the Meetup and the Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway! Hope we get to hike with our new friends again and this was a great thing to offer their members. Kudos to you guys!
  • Tanya
    +1 guest
    I really enjoyed the hike, and the pleasant company! That was my first time in Patapsco, but it won't be my last! My daughter enjoyed it too, so thanks Richard and everyone for making it fun!
  • Juana
    great time great trail
  • Lori Perlman
    Beautiful park, many interesting trails. I enjoyed meeting lots of new people! Our group (fast paced) got a bit too spread out at the end, with some of us not quite sure which way to go at the last intersection!
  • Peggy
    Incredible group of people. Friendly and supportive hikers. Patapsco is beautiful and the path was shaded- great for a hot sunny summer day.
  • Fred
    Great hike.Broke into 2 groups one that sped along and the other (my group) that took the hike at a fairly reasonable speed. Richard did a great job leading our group, he was friendly, knowledgable and made sure that we were all together. never left anyone behind.
  • Tom LeFevere
    Hike Leader
    Best hiking terrain I have seen, varying and local! Hiked about 9 miles which was longer than anticipated. Had a great time anyway.
  • Fatima
    Great hike! Kudos for the hike leader!!!!
  • Serene
    I was in the slower group, and the pace was perfect for taking pictures and enjoying good conversation. Our hike leader gave us just the right number of breaks and kept an eye on us to make sure we were ok. I think Beasley is a great hike leader!
  • A former member
  • A former member
    +1 guest
  • A former member
    +1 guest
  • A former member
  • A former member
  • A former member

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