Overview:  Gunpowder Falls State Park Wildlands Loop with The Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group (Template) is about 4.5 miles long. The trail is great for... more » hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours.

Gunpowder Falls State
Park: Wildlands Area with Optional Swimmin' Hole! An Easy Side
of Moderate 4.5-5 Mile Hike!

This loop follows the upland forests of
the fall zone, crossing a few easy streams (pretty much non-existent in the
winter) and visiting a pleasant waterfall, then meanders downstream along Big
Gunpowder Falls as it leaves the piedmont. Watching Big Gunpowder Falls sliding
through several narrow gorges, it is hard to believe that only 5 miles
downstream the falls will spread to a deltalike, broad river more than a mile
wide." "Copyright Hiking Maryland and
Delaware"

Trail Information

Nearby City:
Baltimore
Length: 4.5-5.0 total miles
Elevation
Gain: Minimal
Trail Type: Loop
Skill
Level: Easy to Moderate with one easy stream crossing (stepping stones
available)
Season: Year-round
Local
Contacts: Gunpowder Falls State Park
Local Maps:
USGS White Marsh, Maryland
Topo Map: Wildlands Loop,
Gunpowder Falls State Park Topographic Map

Tips: 

Swimming Hole

This has a fantastic swimming hol... more »e that I marked on the trail which clear,
cool, and averages 5 to 8 feet in depth. Since it does require a hike to reach
it, it is not very crowded and there is no way to park any closer than where we
do and hoof it in.

Stream Crossings (5 Very Minor Crossings)

There are 5 minor stream crossing meaning the water is usually even less
than ankle deep and very easy. As a result, there are no crossing stones since
the water is so shallow, even in spring. However, the swimming whole never
dries up and is part of the river flowing through much of Gunpowder Falls State
Park