The River Trail begins downstream of the Visitor Center and falls overlooks, following the narrow Mather Gorge, named after the first director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather. The trail is well established and crosses very rocky terrain along 30 to 70 foot cliffs and offers spectacular views of the gorge and the Maryland shoreline of the Potomac River. The trail is easy to follow by the blue blazes marked on the trees. The River Trail extends 1.5 miles downstream to Cowhoof Rock where it then meets with the Ridge Trail. From that point one can choose to return via the Ridge Trail or continue another half mile further downstream to Difficult Run, the southern border of the park. Several loops are possible within shorter distances, ranging from a half mile loop to a 4 mile loop. A popular hike takes you down the River Trail 1/2 mile and returns along the historic Patowmack Canal Trail for a 1 mile loop.

As one treks along the trail, a feeling of discovery abounds. The trail is situated atop a bedrock terrace, carved from erosional processes since the last ice age. Smooth bolders and thousands of potholes formed from the power of the river are evidence of the rivers endless power to change this landscape. The Mather Gorge is the narrowest portion of the Potomac River on its lower reaches, and is the beginning of the Potomac Gorge, stretching down to Georgetown in Washington D.C. At this point the river widens as it flows into the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

Return to Hiking Map

TRAILS

River Trail Patowmack Canal Trail Ridge Trail Old Carriage Road Trail Swamp Trail Difficult Run Trail

Matildaville Trail Mine Run Trail Trails to Riverbend Park Visitor Center Overlook 1 and 2

A copy of this map can be obtained at the Information Desk in the Visitor's Center

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