Explore the best rated trails in Perry Hall, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Heritage Trail (PA) and Manheim Township Community Park Trail . With more than 126 trails covering 4519 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Wonderfully scenic but woefully in need of maintenance. Congress cuts National Park Service funding so rich people don’t have to pay taxes.
A nice solid rail trail. The southern 2/3 of the trail is mostly thru woods and suburbs. The northern 1/3 is in the Glen Burnie area and is more like an urban bike path. This section has a few more bumps and more busy street crossings. So it is all good, but just be ready for these two diffferent types of environments. From the northern end of the trail in Glen Burnie at Rt 176 there is a connector trail in good condition west to the BWI Loop Trail. For my ride, I started on the B&A in Annapolis and rode north and then did the BWI Loop. These two trails together --- plus the connector --- made for a very nice day ride. And Heads Up! At the Pasadena Road crossing, check out the wonderful, huge mural dedicated to the people of Ukraine! A very cool spot!
Road from Railroad Pa to Ashland and then back to Railroad. Trail is pretty good. Faster than most rail trails. Saturday was very busy. Scenery was nice. A rider coming towards me almost collided with a deer. Few spots were a little muddy.
Brillarts Station to New Freedom and back = a nice ride just over 30 miles. Going south it's a very subtle climb very as you weave through valleys carved by the Cordorus creek. Going back north a little speed bump as you view the scenery from the opposite perspective. Love the variety and interesting features along the way. Road on 35mm tires; about perfect for the champagne gravel. Got back close to sunset and noted PA park police keeping an eye on the lot but also making sure no one on the trail after dark.
I enjoyed this loop in 2016 or so and just learned it has a name. Nice mix of environments with plenty of available lunch or coffee stops and scenic waterfront, linear greenway and wooded areas. Some spots were challenging, even dicey then, and I would expect they’ve been improved if this is a designated path.
It took just over 90 minutes. What a great time!
This trail has everything except length. Great scenery, smooth surface, friendly vibe, and quirky, historic Ellicott City with a wide selection of shops and restaurants. The trolley right of way has a decent grade, ensuring a good workout going uphill. This has my vote for the RTC trail Hall of Fame.
Rode from Mt Vernon toward DC , 16 miles out and back with temps in high 40s in mid December, midweek. Love this trail! Beautiful views of Potomac; nice variety of flat and hilly terrain through urban and forested areas. Impressed by “bike patrol” checking in on my stop. 4 star review due to tree root bumps (mostly marked), and close proximity to Memorial High ( constant humming of cars passing).
My wife and I rode this trail today and we both agree, it’s at the top of our list of rail trails. The views of the farms, the creek (I would call it a river), York College and others make this ride so enjoyable. We are from Maryland and have taken the Torrey C Brown trail several times so we wanted to see how the HRT was in comparison. We parked at Seven Valleys and rode north to York (about 10 miles). The trail is in great shape and with the leaves off the trees, it helped to provide views all along the route. We stopped for lunch at the Iron Horse Restaurant in downtown York where Summer took great care of us. It’s only 3 block up main from the HRT. If we get some more mild weather this winter, we will start in New Freedom and ride north. It will be well worth it.
Checked it out while we were in the area, and it was nice! Wide/paved walkway. Wasn’t crowded or desolate. Decent amount of activity. Beautiful streams and scenery. Highly recommend!
Q: If I bike ride the short 1.8 mile Ben Cardin trail in Maryland, should I bother continuing on to Delaware's Michael N. Castle trail?
A: Most definitely! Why stop after just two miles?
Q: Is it as flat and easy as the Ben Cardin trail?
A: It's mostly long, flat and occasionally curves as it parallels the not perfectly straight canal, but there are three places where the trail leaves the canal and climbs up the side of the hill. There it's curvier and takes you through woodlands and by a marina.
Q: Are the hills strenuous?
A: For regular, fit bikers and old guys like me with a Swytch pedal assist system, no. For others I would say yes.
Q: How strenuous?
A: One is steep enough to warrant two switchbacks. I also encountered a middle aged couple at the top of one of the hills resting, recovering, and acting like, What have we gotten ourselves into? I also observed another young, fit woman jogging who had to stop halfway up the hill, bend over, and put her hands on her knees.
Q:Is it picturesque?
A: Yes, lots of interesting photo ops of bridges, the canal, birds, woodlands, salt marshes, watercraft, charming homes, and historical sites.
Q: So if I start in Maryland and reach 5th Street in Delaware City, that's where I turn around?
A: Technically, that's the end of the Castle Trail, but why stop there? Cross the road and continue for another mile or so along quiet Canal Road and the Delaware City Marina to old, historic Delaware City, Battery Park, and Delaware Bay! You'll regret it if you don't!
Q: Are there any rest stops or restrooms?
A: There are restrooms at South Lums Trailhead on the trail and at Battery Park. There are also benches consistently along the canal about every 250 yards!
Q: Is it safe? What are the trail users like?
A: The friendliest and most polite you could ever hope for!
Q: As a former educator, what grade would you give this trail?
A: An A, but not an easy A. You'll have to work hard to complete those six inclines (assuming you're traveling the entire distance and doing a round trip).
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!