Popular Maryland Section of Appalachian Trail Protected Thanks to Trust for Public Land, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Weverton, Md. – Today, Trust for Public Land (TPL), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the protection of a 3-acre piece of property in Western Maryland that safeguards the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) for permanent public use.
Roughly halfway through its journey from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail crosses into Maryland and soon arrives at one of the trail’s famous landmarks – Weverton Cliffs. These cliffs tower 500 feet above the Potomac River with views of the River, Buzzard Rock, and Short Hill Mountain. This short hike to a panoramic view draws tens of thousands of visitors every year.
This section of the Appalachian Trail runs through South Mountain State Park. Recently, a private landowner of a small inholding parcel that includes the A.T. footpath just above the Weverton Cliffs vista expressed interest in selling their land. After completing a thorough review of deeds and a new survey to clearly identify the boundaries of the inholding, the Trust for Public Land secured a purchase agreement at fair market value and acquired the 3-acre parcel in December 2024.
“Weverton Heights is a critical link in the Appalachian Trail, and protecting this land ensures that the trail remains connected and future generations can experience its beauty, history, and outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Kent Whitehead, Project Manager at Trust for Public Land. “By securing this 1/4-mile segment, Trust for Public Land is helping preserve uninterrupted public access to one of America’s most treasured trails.”
Trust for Public Land and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy collaborated on a $93,000 fundraising campaign, which included a lead gift from the ATC as well as gifts from Norfolk Southern Railway’s Trail Activation Fund, McKee Foods’ Outdoor Happiness grant program and a bequest left to TPL to support work in western Maryland. The funds covered the purchase price as well as the costs of extensive survey and title reviews.
Today, TPL has completed the project by donating the land to Maryland Parks Service, resolving the threat to the A.T. without interruption for the hiking community. The A.T. through this area will continue to be managed in a partnership between Maryland State Parks, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the volunteers of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.
“The Department of Natural Resources appreciates the assistance of the Trust for Public Land in conserving this important property, which is an integral component of the Appalachian Trail,” said Sandi Olek, Maryland DNR’s Director of Outdoor Recreation. “Maryland’s portion of this national treasure brings visitors to support our local communities, and is part of the thread that connects people with our history and our natural world.”
“The Weverton Cliffs vista is one of the iconic natural scenic locations that attract more than 3 million people to step onto the Appalachian Trail each year,” said Katie Allen, Director of Landscape Conservation at the ATC. “We’re grateful for TPL’s partnership in achieving an efficient outcome that ensures the A.T. remains open and connected for day hikers, section hikers and thru-hikers to enjoy and experience.”
This land conservation effort is part of the Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership (ATLP), a conservation effort led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Park Service and Trust for Public Land along with dozens of public agencies and land trusts between Georgia and Maine. The ATLP aims to protect the trail and its natural surroundings and expand access to natural spaces for the millions of people who live within a day’s drive. By securing this property, TPL helped prevent a potential disruption to the trail experience and diminishes the risk of habitat fragmentation for native wildlife.
Weverton Heights is also closely located to the designated A.T. Community of Brunswick, Maryland. The program was designed to bring visibility to towns along the Trail, as well as increased economic and community engagement opportunities.
For nearly 50 years, Trust for Public Land has been working with communities along the A.T., and so far, has helped secure permanent public access to over 340,000 acres along the trail.
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About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $110 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.7 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Founded in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy works passionately to manage and protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. As the only non-profit devoted exclusively to the entirety of the Trail and its landscape, we endeavor to keep its vast natural and scenic beauty healthy, resilient, and connected, so that everyone can experience its transformative power for generations to come. Together with our supporters, partners, and thousands of volunteers, we keep the Trail alive. Learn more at appalachiantrail.org
