Cat Rock Rock Climbing

There are two parking areas and two different trails. The Cat Rock Trail and the Old Misery trail. Both trails have basically the same total elevation gain. The Old Misery trail is half a mile longer and is also slightly steeper as it climbs to the true summit of the mountain before dropping back down and then heading back up to the Cat rock overlook. Therefore the Cat Rock Trail is the preferred trail, however if the parking lot is filled up you will need to use the Old Misery trail.

The Cat Rock trail Parking is across from the Park Headquarters on route 77 (Rocky Ridge Rd) it is called the “Peniel Lot” also note the Park Headquarters is not the same as the Park Visitor Center. Additional parking can be found across the road at the Headquarters for about 10 more cars.

Take the trail that leaves the parking lot near the entrance to the Peniel lot.

For more detailed information check out Hiking Project Cat-rock-trail

The Old Misery trailhead is on Catoctin Hollow Rd at the end of Hunting Creek Lake. This parking lot is 0.4 miles from route 77 (Rocky Ridge rd). To access the trail head cross the road from the South entrance to the parking lot. For more detailed information check out Hiking Project old-misery-trail

This Area has been divided up into four sub areas to help with route locations see the image below.  Yellow trail is the Cat Rock Trail, Blue trail is the Old Misery, Red trail is the gas line & short cut to the North Tower, Green lines show the Area sub division.