All Locations > Maryland > Harper's Ferry > Maryland Heights, MD

Train Tunnel Wall Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Train Tunnel Wall

L › R R › L A › Z

	Air Show T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c A4
	Black Tie Affair T 5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
	Center Stage and All Alone T A2 PG13
	Long and Hard T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
	Outrage S 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	Spectacular Spectacle T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c A3
	Unknown T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Whirlpool T 5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a

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Elevation:	100 ft	30 m
GPS:	39.3242, -77.7256 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	12,520 total · 62/month
Shared By:	Dominic Albanese on Jul 26, 2009
Admins:	Frances Fierst, C S Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures; Road Closures. See nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/… Details

See nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/…

Access Issue: Train Property Details

While the climbing at the cliff is allowed (get a permit in town) accessing the "pit" via the steel ladder may not be. If climbing here keeping a low profile in the pit (stay off the rim of the pit) is recommended.

Description

The steep wall directly over the train tunnel. Usually home only to the ravens and aid climbers. There is only one free route known but to many of the area's aid climbers this is the biggest and baddest thing around.

Set up shop in the "Pit" get geared up and get ready for thin aid on hard black rock.

Can get rather windy and about 15 trains a day are going directly underneath you. You dont just hear them, you can actually feel them.

Getting There

A slightly tricky approach. You used to be able to park in the single pullout right below the "pit" but that is now being patrolled. Parking options include the hiking trail-head on Sandy Hook Rd. Go under rail bridge and another half mile to parking. This lot fills up fast with hikers on the weekend. Sandy Hook is accessed off of 340 in MD by taking Keep Tryst Rd. to sandy hook rd.

Or you can pay to park in town and walk across the pedestrian bridge.

Either way you need a permit from the park rangers to climb. Their office is in town on the right as you drive in. They also usually require that you have a helmet.

From either parking find the south side of the concrete structure that makes up the tunnel underneath the wall. A 30 foot trail leads to a 30 foot tall ladder bolted to the side. Up this (exciting with a haul bag) and into the "pit" All climbs start from here. Use discretion while in the pit as access is uncertain.