We got on this trail from the Carroll Park area. It is quite urban for the first couple of miles, and there are a few hills which will be challenging for beginners. But the later part is mostly flat or rolling. This trail has several road crossings, and the cars do not even think about stopping. Be very careful at these intersections! The trail is also not very clearly marked in some spots, so you do have to look around for the signs to figure out which way to go. After about 3-4 miles, the trail gets nicer, more rustic and wooded. There are some nice views along the river despite the occasional graffiti and plastic bottles floating. There is a packed gravel section we followed on the way back which was a bit bumpy for a road bike, but manageable. There are bathrooms & a water fountain at Winans Way which was a good point for a break. It was a nice enough trail, but I probably wouldn't make a special trip to go back.

My free membership bike club, the C3 Riders (www.orgsites.com/va/c3), (shameless plug) rode the GF trail for the first time Saturday (9/19). We used hybrids. Everyone had a great ride, and I personally was nearly delirious with how much I enjoyed the ride. The incredible scenery, the history and ruins along the entire length, the challenge of some hills in balance with pleasant relatively flat stretches, the overall condition of the paved and unpaved path, the intelligent switchbacking on steep descents/climbs, how it travels through recreational parks (for activity watching) and how it ends right into the waterfront area...I cannot say enough. Best ride I've had this year, hands down! The only thing that surprises me is how underused it was that day. But we're happy it was.

The only downside was in two spots where there were fallen tree limbs partially blocking the path. As for the criticism about how the trail is marked, yes, I understand the disappointment of others, but exploring the trail branch-offs is equally cool as far as I am concerned. The crossing through Frederick Rd. was okay -- a little narrow on the sidewalks, but at no time did anything seem sketchy, and that was over and done with quickly.

The whole ride is an adventure that is never boring. I highly recommend it.

I have ridden on parts of the trail which get very dark because there is no lighting. Like the previous writer, I have never felt threaten on the trail. My fears are more about getting lost because sometimes the signage is not clear and hitting a pothole or obstruction when it gets dark at night. Even riding through the neighborhoods which generally aren't considered the best around is fine. I am a female and I have never been scared on the streets there.

The trail is trashy is some areas and the stream obviously polluted. I really get annoyed about people not being careful with their waste.

I rode this trail on July 6, 2009. I started at the trail head off Franklintown Road with the Inner Harbor being my midpoint destination. I printed out the tail map since this was my first time. The trail is not clearly marked for a person riding the trail for the first time. I ride a hybrid Trek so the upper portion that was more suited to mountain bikes than road bikes was not a real problem. There are various places in this off road section that would be muddy following a hard rain. The middle portion of the ride follows a stream mostly downhill. Actually, from where I started it was almost entirely downhill. (Means the ride home is uphill :)). I lost the trail at Fredrick Ave where the trail meets the street. There were no signs (or I did not see them) directing to the next stretch of the trail. The map I printed was confusing as well. Looking at it today on my computer in my office, it makes perfect sense... I went in several different directions looking to pick up the trail and just gave up and followed my way to Pratt and on into the Inner Harbor. I did not ride the Inner Harbor loop so I can't say if there were any signs. I did not feel comfortable riding back on the trail dues to the lateness of the day and the neighborhoods that it passed through. I elected to stay on the streets and find my way back to the trail head. In retrospect, at no time was I threatened or did I feel threatened while on the trail. There simply was no one else on the trail! It was after 7 pm and sundown was around 8 pm so lighting on the trail was diminishing quickly. The ride on the streets went though many neighbors where maybe I did not belong. The ride would have been more fun for me if the trail had better signage or I traveled with either a group or somebody else that knew the trail. It was not a straight, can't get lost rail trail. I might consider this again if I find myself in Baltimore with my bike and have an earlier start.