Hoye-Crest

How to Get There

From Oakland, MD (10 mi): Take US-219 south into West Virginia, continue past Silver Lake for about one mile, and park at the roadside pull-off marked for the Maryland High Point Trail where a short uphill hike leads to the summit.

Overview

The Hoye-Crest site stands as the highest natural point in Maryland, reaching 3,360 feet along the spine of Backbone Mountain within the Allegheny region. Accessed by a moderately steep hike along an old logging road, the trail climbs through dense hardwood forest before reaching a quiet clearing at the summit. Unlike dramatic peaks, the highpoint presents itself as a subtle rise along a long ridgeline, marked by a historic plaque, picnic tables, and a small clearing that offers partial views over the surrounding Appalachian landscape.

The summit carries both geographic and historical significance, named for Captain Charles E. Hoye, a local historian whose legacy is commemorated by a marker placed in the 1950s. Though located just inside Maryland, the approach uniquely begins in neighboring West Virginia, crossing the state line near the top. This unusual access, combined with the modest yet rewarding hike, makes the destination a memorable experience for hikers and “highpointers” seeking to stand at the highest ground of each state while exploring the understated beauty of the Appalachian highlands.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Hoye-Crest, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.