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Washington Heritage Trail Visitor Services History Calendar of Events Other Self-Guided Tours Links & Resources
Washington Heritage Trail
 
 
Jefferson County, WV
About Jefferson County
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Jefferson Rock
Shenandoah Canal
Shepherdstown
Entler Hotel
Rumsey Monument and Tobacco Warehouse
Morgan's Grove Park
Peter Burr House
Charles Town
Jefferson County Courthouse and Museum
Zion Episcopal Church
Happy Retreat
St. George's Chapel Ruins
Harewood
Cedar Lawn
Claymont Court/Blakeley
Middleway Historic District
Berkeley County, WV
About Berkeley County
Martinsburg
B&O Roundhouse & Station Complex
Belle Boyd House
Berkeley County Courthouse
Triple Brick Museum
General Adam Stephen House
Green Hill Cemetery
Van Metre Ford Bridge
Bunker Hill Mill
Morgan Chapel
Morgan Cabin
Gerrardstown Historic District
Hays Gerrard House
Mill's Gap
Sleep Creek Wildlife Management Area
Hedgesville Historic District
Mt. Zion Episcopal Church
Snodgrass Tavern
Morgan County, WV
About Morgan County
Spruce Pine Hollow Park
Berkeley Springs
Dutch Cemetery
Throgmorton's Inn
Bath Historic District
Berkeley Springs State Park
George Washington's Bathtub
Roman Bath House & Museum of the Berkeley Springs
Washington's Lots
Sir John's Run
Panorama Overlook
Great Cacapon
Camp Hill Cemetery
Paw Paw
Paw Paw Tunnel
Coolfont Manor House
Cacapon State Park

Washington Heritage Trail

 

PANORAMA OVERLOOK


Panorama Overlook, approximately 3 miles west of Berkeley Springs, offers a pull-off and a scenic view rated by National Geographic as one of the five best in the East. Included in the view are three states: Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia; and two rivers, the Potomac and Cacapon. The scene also encapsulates America’s transportation history showing the C&O Canal on the Maryland side of the river and the B&O Railroad on the West Virginia side.

The overlook marks the end of Cacapon Mountain which runs south from that point more than thirty miles to the Virginia border. Composed of ancient Oriskany sandstone, it plunges nearly 1000 feet into the Potomac River at the overlook.

Higher on Cacapon Mountain, Prospect Rock (also called Cacapon Rock) offers the same spectacular view. It was a favorite day trip for visitors on horseback from colonial times to the early 20th century. Washington often rode here, fueling his vision of a way west. Today the unique rock formations may be reached by a 12-mile fire road and flat hiking trail along the crest of Cacapon Mountain accessed from Cacapon State Park.

“Rid with Mrs. Washington and others to the Cacapehon Mountain, to see
the prospect from thence.”

Washington’s diary — August 19, 1769

 



Copyright © 2010, Washington Heritage Trail, Inc. Funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration.