Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park:
Maryland
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Description:
If you are looking to augment your physical workout with some intellectual exercise, look no further than the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail. The scenic, paved 13-mile community trail is brimming with history lessons and boasts a solar system of information.
The trail follows the route of the Annapolis and Baltimore Short Line, which started running freight and passenger service in 1880 and helped shape this suburban region near the nation's capital. Today, the 112-acre linear park winds through parks, neighborhoods and natural wooded areas. The trail also passes the Marley Station shopping mall, and the Ranger Station at mile marker 6.3, where public grills and a large field-perfect for disk throwing-make an ideal picnic stop. Portions of the trail are sponsored by trail volunteers who fill the flowerbeds and kiosks along the trail, lending it a colorful, seasonal flair.
Along the trail you will find a literal alphabet of historical markers, from A to Z. The A marker, at mile 0.1, is the Winchester Station House at Manresa near the Annapolis start of the trail. At mile 13.3 you will find the Z marker identifying the Sawmill Branch, the area's source of water and power in the early eighteenth century. To follow along with each marker, you will want to pick up a flyer at the Ranger Station.
Near Harundale Mall you will come upon the Planet Walk, a linear museum with educational displays for the sun and each planet. Sponsored by NASA, the planets are true to scale and will each have educational storyboards that teach about our solar system.
The trail, and its educational opportunities, end in the small town of Glen Burnie. But you may continue on the BWI trail loop for an additional 12.5 miles around the Baltimore Washington International Airport.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The Annapolis trailhead is located off US Route 50 past the Severn River. Take exit 27 and head south toward the Naval Academy on MD Route 450. The parking lot for Jonas Green Park is on the right. There are directions to the trail on the board near the entrance of the parking lot.
To reach the Glen Burnie trailhead, take US Route 50 east from Washington, DC, to exit 21 and follow Interstate 97 north. Take exit 15 leading to MD Route 176 EAST (Dorsey Road). Continue on 176 before turning right onto MD Route 648 (Baltimore and Annapolis Blvd.). At the first light, take a right on Crain Hwy. and then take a right onto Central Ave. The parking lot is on the right and runs along the trail.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
None
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Really Nice Ride
By PAhikerbiker on July 18, 2010
We (2 60-year-olds) rode this trail on 7/17/10 starting at the northern end of the trail. Tried to find the trailhead using the google directions from the traillink website, but no success--find another way to get your directions! We parked in the courthouse parking lot and hit the trail. Trail is asphalt and in really good condition all the way. As others have reported, there's a very slight grade up on the return, but nothing we couldn't easily do in moderate gear on our hybrids. Lots of folks out using this trail today, in spite of the 94 degree weather--bikers (both leisure and more serious), roller bladers, families, walkers and joggers--but it was never a problem to keep moving on the trail. People were really good about keeping to the right and passing on the left. About a mile from the end, we found Naval Bagels in a small shopping center just off the trail. Had a couple bagel sandwiches and enjoyed their a/c for a bit on our return. (A Subway is in the same center if you don't like bagels). We started our ride about 11 am, and there wasn't much shade; but, in spite of that and the heat, it was a really great ride! The only negative is that there is really only one restroom on the entire trail--at the rangers station.
Annapolis ride
By lesliegirard on June 16, 2008
My boyfriend and I enjoyed a wonderful bike ride while staying the weekend in Annapolis. We stayed at The Westin Hotel centrally situated in the city not far from the Maryland state capitol building and close the waterfront. We rode down to the waterfront, around the outside of the Naval Academy (bikes are not allowed inside), then took the rode over the bridge - following the "Bike Route" signs. It must have taken us about 4 miles to get to the start of the B&A Trail. This section was hilly and the hardest part of the ride.

We had a wonderful ride and made it to the 7.5 mile marker before turning around. There is a coffee/tea shop right on the trail in Serverna Park that is open for business on weekends – catering to the trail riders. It was great to stop, rest, and enjoy a delicious snack and cold drink.

I'd recommend starting your ride on the Annapolis side of the trail. Even though it's a leisurely ride along a very flat asphalt trail there is always a slight directional grade. So it’s easier to ride from Glen Burnie to Annapolis. So our start in Annapolis allowed us to get the harder part over in the beginning of our ride when we had more energy.

Really enjoyed this ride - can't wait to do it again!
Fun time on a hot August day
By Don Leaman on September 21, 2004
"My wife and I capped off a short trip to Annapolis with a bike ride on this trail. We started at the parking lot off of 450. It is true that you must begin with an uphill pedal to access the trail. We went all the way to Glen Burnie turned around and made the return trip.

I really enjoyed the southern part of the trail. It was very rural with a lot of foilage. The northern portion is not very scenic. There are lots of stores, malls, and highways.

Be careful when crossing streets. There were a few crossings on curves where you had limited sightlines. All and all it was an enjoyable outing."
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Glen Burnie (Dorsey Road) to Annapolis (Jonas Green Park)
Counties: Anne Arundel, Howard
Trail Length: 14 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016034

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic rail-trails in RTC's Mid-Atlantic Guidebook.
Trail of the Month: May 2006