Near Battlefield Forest Creek Loop
Burnside Bridge
Near Battlefield Forest Creek Loop
Overlooking Battlefield from Parking Area
Near Battlefield Forest Creek Loop
Rolling hills on the final attack
Near Battlefield Forest Creek Loop
Looking across the hills to the south of Antietam Battlefield
Near Battlefield Forest Creek Loop
Open field leading to the gap

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Route

Battlefield Forest Creek Loop

4.0 (3 Ratings)
A gorgeous hike through a historic battlefield. Beautiful sections by Antietam Creek ending with a small uphill challenge
3.3
mi
Distance
239
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsRiver/CreekViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
3.33mi
Distance
239ft
Elevation Gain
239ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
443ft
High Point
310ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Starting at Burnside Bridge parking loop, start on the Final Attack Trail. Follow the trail arrows and hike along a shaded wall until you come to an opening for a connecting trail on your left. Follow this around into the trees. The trail ends at a "T" junction. Turn right and follow this section along down to the creek. Watch for roots as you head downhill to the creek. This now becomes the singletrack and runs VERY close to the creek, so watch your footing as there are some sections with roots. After this, the trail heads uphill and back out into the meadow looping back to the parking lot.
History & Background
For more information on the history of the area, visit: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/antietam

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Appalachian Trail: South Mountain

Hike Route

Appalachian Trail: South Mountain

Fall Colors
strenuous
12.95 mi
+1,733 ft
Maryland Heights Loop

Hike Route

Maryland Heights Loop

Fall Colors
moderate
6.54 mi
+1,608 ft
Loudoun Heights Out and Back

Hike Route

Loudoun Heights Out and Back

Fall Colors
moderate
5.78 mi
+1,592 ft
AT: Annapolis Rock and Black Rock

Hike Route

AT: Annapolis Rock and Black Rock

Birding
moderate
6.72 mi
+777 ft
Annapolis Rock on the Appalachian Trail

Hike Route

Annapolis Rock on the Appalachian Trail

Views
easy
4.9 mi
+784 ft
Gambrill State Park Loop

Hike Route

Gambrill State Park Loop

Fall Colors
moderate
2.93 mi
+678 ft
Contributors
Lynda Fowler