The Cunningham Falls Lower Trail is a red-blazed 30-minute hike to one of Maryland's most scenic sights, a 78-foot cascading waterfall. The trail is comprised of boardwalk and stone dust with about a 300-foot elevation change. The path is barrier-free.

In addition to soaking in the beautiful waterfalls, the rainbow mist, and dark canopy of plantlife, be sure to notice the huge sugar maples, still tapped for their syrup. If hiking in late spring, keep an eye out for the rarely notice wildflower called jack-in-the-pulpit. This 2-foot high flower bears a curved ridged hood or spathe while growing at damp forest floors. Red berries present themselves late in the season.

This trail has several junctions, one with the 27-mile multi-park Catoctin Trail (blue-blazed), and a much shorter trail originating from the nearby campground.

Directions: From Thurmont, MD, Travel MD State Route 77 west approximately 4 miles turning left onto Catoctin Hollow Road. Travel about a mile turning right into the William Houck Area. Travel past the campground road to reach trailhead parking in about 0.5 mile.

Elevation: 1,300 feet

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Distance: 1.5 miles

Usage: Heavy

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

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