Shenandoah Pulp Factory Ruins – John Brown's Fort loop from Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

West Virginia

Jefferson County

Shenandoah Pulp Factory Ruins – John Brown's Fort loop from Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Moderate

4.7

(2109)

12,392

hikers

Shenandoah Pulp Factory Ruins – John Brown's Fort loop from Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

02:41

9.79km

150m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

3.60 km

Harpers Ferry Lower Town Historic District

Highlight • Historical Site

About a 4 minute walk uphill if you're in average shape. worth the view

Tip by

5.08 km

Shenandoah Pulp Factory Ruins

Highlight • Historical Site

Aspects of an historic pulp mill, instrumental in the manufacture of paper, are still visible here. The mill was water-powered, and evidence of these channels remains.

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5.65 km

Virginius Island Mill Ruins

Highlight • Historical Site

The location of a formerly four-story building originally built in 1848 as a cotton mill. During the Civil War, it was used as a hospital by the Union Army. Post-war, …

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6.28 km

Goodloe E. Byron Memorial Pedestrian Walkway (Winchester and Potomac Railroad Bridge)

Highlight • Bridge

This railroad bridge that spans over the Potomac River in Harpers Ferry is quite the spectacle.

A walk across the bridge grants you quick access between the C&O Canal Trail and Harpers Ferry town.

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6.40 km

John Brown's Fort

Highlight • Historical Site

Originally constructed as a fire engine garage and guard house, John Brown's Fort is the building abolitionist John Brown and his followers occupied during their raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859.

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6.77 km

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church

Highlight • Religious Site

Survived the Civil War battles nearby untouched. It’s a “Miracle”.

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8.64 km

Potomack Canal

Lake

9.21 km

Stone steps

Highlight • Trail

The Lower Town Trail descends through a ravine via 97 stone steps. An NPS shuttle bus also operates between the visitor center parking lot and Lower Town.

Tip by

9.75 km

Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

This visitor center is consistently staffed and provides bathrooms, information, and water. An official shuttle departs from here to Lower Town. Hours of operation and contact information can be found here: nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

Tip by

9.79 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types