• Hiking up the Maryland Heights Trail while imagining what it was like to drag 9 ton cannons behind you
• Biking on C&O Canal Towpath alongside the gorgeous Potomac River
• Paddling the historic Shenandoah River while singing John Denver songs
• Learning about the history of Harpers Ferry
• Hanging out at the Harpers Ferry Hostel with other really fun women

Harpers Ferry, located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, is known for both its great natural beauty and its historical significance. As a result it is a center point for numerous activities: hiking on the Appalachian trail and other Civil War historic trails, biking on the gently graded C&O Canal towpath, canoeing down one of the lively rivers, even visiting the historic old town. Mid-October in this area is usually the peak of the fall foliage season and with temperatures typically in the 60s and 70s, there is no better place for an active and relaxing long weekend getaway.

any healthy woman who enjoys being active and wants to get away (and be cooked for!) for a long weekend. Your guides will teach you any of the activities (e.g. canoeing) that you want to learn. Rating: 1  2  3  4  5

We will be taking over the entire Harpers Ferry hostel for the weekend. The hostel has four bedrooms, with 3 to 6 bunkbeds in each room. And while all of the beds are bunks, no one will have to sleep on a top bunk. There is also great dining and living space.

• three nights lodging 
• meals and snacks from dinner on Thursday through lunch the following Sunday
• dinner in town at a Harpers Ferry restaurant
• bike and canoe rental and canoe shuttles 
• experienced guides

Transport during the trip is also not included and we will share vehicles

At 1 pm at the hostel on October 21

After lunch at 2 pm on October 24

you can download the complete trip information here

October 21: If you can get here early (which we highly recommend!), meet us at the hostel at 1 pm and we'll go for a hike. The Maryland Heights hike is a 3.1 out and back or a 4.7 mile loop with spectacular views of the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and fascinating Civil War history. Our hike follows a worn military road, leftover from the Civil War, that winds its way up the mountain and turns onto a wooded path leading down to the cliffs. Alternatively, if you prefer something that is a little flatter but no less scenic, an out and back hike on the C&O canal towpath is a delightful option. If you cannot get there by 1 pm, join us for dinner at the hostel at 6:30 pm and an evening of relaxation and games.

October 22: After a hearty and relaxed breakfast we ill head to the Shenandoah River above Harpers Ferry for some delightful paddling. This lovely Class I waterway for paddlers offers ripples and ledges, interspersed with flatwater sections that afford relaxation. Winding its way through the scenic Shenandoah Valley, nestled between the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, the river is home to heron and osprey, and deer sometimes break through the thickets to drink at the water's edge. If you have never paddled before, no worries- you will get the instruction you need to have a fun and safe day. If there is time in the afternoon we might visit Harpers Ferry in the afternoon.

October 23: The C&O Canal Towpath stretches for 185 miles from Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland. Running parallel to the Potomac River, the path is both flat and tree-shaded, and can be navigated on either fat tire or regular tire bikes (although fat tire is preferable). We will cycle about 6 miles to the Antietam Aqueduct where we stop for lunch. Those wanting more cycling can continue up the towpath to the town of Shepardstown, WV (about 40 miles total). Others may choose to return to the hostel to have some time to relax, go for a walk, visit the town of Harpers Ferry, or enjoy a quiet moment to read.

October 24: This morning we will walk along the towpath into the Harpers Ferry Lower Town Historic District, which sits on the point of land where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers converge. George Washington convinced the Federal Government to build an Armory & Arsenal here and this, plus its geographic location, has determined much of the town's history. This is also the site of John Brown's ill-fated raid of October 16, 17, and 18, 1859. Several park exhibits and museums occupy restored 19th century buildings in the Lower Town today. To get the most from our visit, our local tour guide will tell us the fascinating history of this unique town. We will then walk back to the hostel for our final farewell lunch and end our weekend together by 2 pm.