This event combines activities designed to promote “flip-flop thru-hikes” of the Appalachian Trail with activities that celebrate the beginning of the outdoor season in Harpers Ferry.
Those who love the outdoors are invited to experience what makes Harpers Ferry such a great destination with its incredibly scenic and historic location in the Blue Ridge Mountains located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers.
Harpers Ferry offers a wealth of fantastic hiking, cycling, rafting, and climbing opportunities, with restaurants, shops, art galleries, indoor and outdoor exhibits, all set close to world-famous historic sites in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park related to The Civil War, African American history, and the explorer Meriwether Lewis.
Hikers come to learn how to prepare for a flip-flop thru-hike, a new way to hike the length increasingly popular 2200-mile Appalachian Trail. By starting in the “psychological halfway point” of the Appalachian Trail of Harpers Ferry, “flip-flop thru-hikers” help conserve of this magnificent American treasure while avoiding the crowds of almost 4,000 thru-hikers who start in Georgia, the traditional starting point. A variety of workshops will be offered covering hiking basics, healthy and safety, trail etiquette, and hands-on pack weight reduction sessions.
Come kick off the beginning of the outdoor season with us!
Make your lodging and camping reservations now:www.historicharpersferry.c
*Note to flip flop thru-hikers: You are encouraged to spread out your start times and locations. Consider starting a day or two after the festival (we’ll have a smaller send-off at 9:00 am on Monday, April 30, and beyond, if there is demand). Or do a “shakedown” hike through Maryland in advance of the festival to make the most of the educational sessions (then resume your hike further north after the festival). Information about shuttle service providers can be found at www.appalachiantrail.org/
For a detailed schedule and more information, visit www.flipflopfestival.org.