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visible from the historic National Road Scenic Maryland Department of Natural Resources,
Did you know? Byway and the internationally recognized local businesses and government bodies to seek
Great Allegheny Passage that sits to protect, preserve, and promote responsible
Maryland boasts over 30 rock climbing crags at the base of the mountain. and sustainable development and access to
scattered throughout the state, and several of climbing areas in and around the Western
these hidden gems are right here in Allegany While people have visited the top of Lover’s Maryland region. They also promote sustainable
County, the Mountain Side of Maryland. Each Leap for well over a century, recorded rock climbing, climbing-related educational
spot has its own unique charm, making climbing only dates back to the 1990s. However, outreach, and community engagement. You can
Mountain Maryland a treasured climbing given some of the climbing artifacts (i.e. old follow them on westernmarylandclimbing.org.
destination throughout the east coast. pitons) that have been found by more
contemporary climbers exploring these cliff
Contributor: Mark ‘Indy’ Kochte is an avid
Some of the most notable crags in the county walls, it is very likely people have been coming
explorer, climber of rocks, a founding member of
are tucked in the woods of Rocky Gap State here to climb since the 1970s or perhaps even the
the Western Maryland Climbing Coalition, and
Park, located right off the Canyon Overlook Trail, 60s. But feats of those adventurous souls have
the author of the Climb Maryland! guidebook.
not far from the Lake Habeeb dam. This crag been left unrecorded. Information on the first
was overlooked for decades by climbers until it recorded ascent was featured on a Maryland
was ‘discovered’ in the early 2000s. Now, 20 Public Television (MPT) program, Outdoor
years later, there are nearly two dozen Maryland. In October of 1992, an MPT film crew
established lines, mostly featuring top-rope followed the exploits of local climbers Darrell
routes, and a small sport climbing wall for those Spence and Gary Green as they bushwhacked
who prefer that style of climbing. The to the base of the cliff and picked a line to climb.
established routes range from beginner-friendly A decade later Darrell would meet other visiting
to advanced, providing a little something for climbers and introduce them to the cliffs.
every level of climber. While these rocks do not Between 2000 and 2020, over 200 routes have
get much direct sun, people climb this location been established along the cliff. But this section
all year long, with prime climbing seasons in the of crag is not for the beginner - potential
spring and fall. climbers should be trained and experienced at
‘traditional’ style climbing and be versed in
Just outside of Cumberland proper is another
objective dangers of climbing before attempting
notable crag, The Narrows (or Lover’s Leap, as
these walls.
the locals refer to it). The Narrows, which lies on
the upper flanks of Wills Mountain, offers a As a growing sport in Allegany County, one of
climbing experience unlike any other crag in the the best sources to find local climbing
state. To experience something remotely similar, information is through the Western Maryland
climbers would need to travel down to Seneca Climbing Coalition (WMCC), an all-volunteer
Rocks in West Virginia or up to the Gunks in New group of climbers who gathered together due to
York. The Narrows is a band of rock three- their love of the crags of Mountain Maryland.
quarters of a mile long from end-to-end and Members of the coalition work with the

Please take note: The Narrows is home
to nesting peregrine falcons, and
sections of the cliff band are subject
to seasonal closures to protect the
nesting peregrines from human
disturbances. The closures last from
mid-February until the end of July. To
check on the current status and dates of closures,
please contact the park directly at 301.722.1480.

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