Maryland is home to beautiful mountain ranges like the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Though small in size compared to other U.S. states, Maryland’s mountains have a rich history and scenic vistas that lend themselves well to riddles. In this article, we have compiled 32 riddles about Maryland’s mountains along with the answers. Some riddles focus on specific peaks like Backbone Mountain and Hoye Crest while others test your knowledge of mountain geography and famous residents. Each riddle brings you one step closer to unlocking the mystique of Maryland’s magnificent mounts.
General riddles
Riddles about Maryland mountain geography
Q: Stretching from Pennsylvania to Virginia, I’m the rugged spine of Maryland. Over one billion years old, my folded peaks boast the highest elevations in the state. What am I?
A: The Appalachian Mountains
Q: I’m the tallest peak in Maryland, reaching over 3,360 feet near the West Virginia border. Backpackers summit my rocky slopes for sublime views. What Maryland mountain am I?
A: Backbone Mountain
Q: Look closely at a map of Maryland – I’m the panhandle that dips below the Mason-Dixon Line. Flowing water carved my steep, forested slopes. What curving landform am I?
A: The Cumberland Valley
Q: Once marking the edge of an ancient inland sea, my long ridge stretches north to south across central Maryland. Vineyards dot my slopes, fed by a temperate climate. What’s my name?
A: The Piedmont Plateau
Riddles about specific Maryland mountain peaks
Q: Located in western Maryland’s Backbone Mountain range, I’m named for an animal spine. I’m the state’s highest point at over 3,360 feet. Hikers unite to conquer my summit! What peak am I?
A: Backbone Mountain
Q: Found along Dans Mountain in Allegany County, I’m the second highest peak in Maryland. My name comes from an early western Maryland settler. I reach 3,360 feet – just shy of the state’s highest point. What summit am I?
A: Hoye Crest
Q: I’m the third highest mountain peak in Maryland at 3,060 feet, located in the Catoctin Mountain range near Camp David. Rock climbers love scaling my slopes. What’s my name?
A: Catoctin Mountain
Riddles about Maryland mountain wildlife
Q: With my white-tailed tail held high, I bound through mountain forests in western Maryland. My reddish coat turns gray in winter to match the snowy slopes. What Maryland mountain creature am I?
A: The Allegheny woodrat
Q: Using my sticky toes, I climb the moist rocky slopes of Maryland’s mountains and forests. My blue feathers and red face make me a flashy resident in breeding season. What bird am I?
A: The eastern bluebird
Q: Barking wildly when hikers pass by, I’m a brown, black and white omnivore that’s active year-round in Maryland’s mountains. My bushy tail and masked face give me a bandit appearance. What mammal am I?
A: The raccoon
Riddles about Maryland mountain plants
Q: My leaves dazzle Maryland mountainsides with scarlet hues each autumn. Deer browse my bark and twigs when snow buries my acorns. What forest tree am I?
A: The red oak
Q: Deer and livestock avoid my foul odor and taste, allowing me to blanket open slopes across Maryland’s mountains. My dense white flower clusters appear from May to June. What am I?
A: Dog fennel
Riddles about Maryland mountain history and culture
Q: Flowing east for nearly 350 miles, I collect water from the Appalachian Mountains before entering Chesapeake Bay. Maryland cities like Cumberland and Hancock were built along my banks. Name me!
A: The Potomac River
Q: Built in the 1750s along central Maryland’s Monocacy River, I feature water wheels and stone buildings. As one of the most complete 18th century industrial towns, I showcase American early technology innovations. What historic town am I?
A: Oella, Maryland
Q: Opened in 1872 in western Maryland’s Potomac Valley, I’m nestled on wooded slopes offering panoramic mountain vistas. Historic cottages dot my grounds where guests play croquet or stroll along my wraparound porch. What storied mountain resort am I?
A: The Omni Homestead Resort
Riddles about famous Maryland mountain residents
Q: This Supreme Court Justice retired to the Catoctin Mountains near Frederick, Maryland. Famous for his probing legal mind, he helped cement privacy rights and protect civil liberties for all. Who was he?
A: William O. Douglas
Q: I was a famous abolitionist who helped slaves escape to freedom along central Maryland’s Underground Railroad. My home in the Catoctin Mountains is now a National Park site that shares my story of resistance. Who am I?
A: Harriet Tubman
Conclusion
Maryland’s mountains hold unique tales, from ancient geology to frontier settlers to diverse ecosystems. These 32 riddles offer a fun introduction to the special heritage of iconic peaks like Backbone Mountain as well as hidden gems like Oella’s historic mill town. Studying their clues will deepen your connection to the riveting landscape of western and central Maryland. When you next explore mountain trails, forests and rivers, let these riddles enrich your journey in the land that inspired them.