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Western Maryland Rail Trail:
Maryland
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Description:
Plan a full day (or two) for your visit to the Western Maryland Rail Trail, a 22-mile paved route that will take you through several eras of American history. You can access this trail from many points, but the main trailhead is in the quaint town of Hancock (population 1750). Stop here for food, drinks, antique shopping, to stay the night, or just to wander around the historical downtown, which once served as the frontier of Maryland and frequently was visited by George Washington, among other notables. From the trailhead in Hancock, you can head east or west along the trail, about 10 miles in either direction. Whichever direction you choose, expect to pass fields and wooded groves. You will also parallel the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and its 185-mile unpaved towpath, which was used to transport coal from Cumberland, Maryland, to the port of Georgetown in Washington, DC, from 1828 until 1924. The route's historical sites include the canal's locks and lock houses. The eastern portion is blessed with magnificent views of the Potomac River. Large rock outcroppings will catch your attention, as will the ruins of the Round Top Cement Mill, which was built in the 1830s and was Hancock's largest employer during the Civil War. To the west and just past downtown Hancock, you can buy trailside snacks from the family-owned Hepburn Orchards Fruit Market where, in the 1920s, more than 5000 surrounding acres were planted with fruit trees. Traveling a little farther, you will find historical markers for Little Pool and Park Head cemeteries. Be on the lookout for deer and wild turkey that are not phased by the loud traffic nearby. To vary your route, and maximize your scenery, take the Western Maryland Rail Trail in one direction and loop back on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park towpath.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the eastern end of the trail in Fort Frederick State Park, from Interstate 70, take exit 12 to MD Route 56 and head east toward Big Pool. The trail parking lot is across the street from the post office. To reach Hancock from Interstate 70, take exit 3 and travel west on MD Route 144 for 1.4 miles. There is parking at Hancock Station, just off Main Street. To begin at the western end of the trail in Pearre, from Interstate 68, take exit 77 and head south on Woodmont Road, which will intersect with the trail at Pearre Road. Parking is available.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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what a glorious trail!!
By wulfgurl on November 09, 2009
i rode about 3 1/2 miles (7 miles total) of the western part of this trail starting in Hancock, MD. This is a great trail if you are just starting to bike...it is flat..the asphalt makes it for a great, comfortable ride, and the scenery if great!! i cant wait to get out there again!!
Nice 22 mile trail
By nnagda on October 12, 2009
We did the western half of the trail -- from Hancock to Pearre -- last week and enjoyed it as much as the other half that we did two weeks ago. This segment is also as beautiful and peaceful. It was a smooth enjoyable ride -- and easy for us Hase Pino tandem riders.
Great enjoyable trail
By nnagda on September 27, 2009
WMRT is a great trail that is almost flat -- at least the 10-mile portion that we did from Big Pool (the eastern end) to Hancock (approximately the mid-point). We very much enjoyed the ride on our Hase Pino tandem on a beautiful fall day (last week of September). Unlike earlier reports which are from about a decade ago, we found that in 2009 it is well shaded for the most part. It seems to have been maintained very well too. Also unlike some other riders we were not bothered by the I-70 noise. It was a most enjoyable ride and we would like to do the remaining 12-mile portion sometime later this fall.