MA & PA Heritage Trail:
Maryland
Trail Map
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Description:
In the early 1900s, the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad screamed through the Harford County countryside, heralding industrial progress. Today, a new kind of progress is evident in the sound of twittering birds and babbling brooks on the long-deserted rail line. This refreshing natural oasis found on the MA & PA Heritage Trail lures visitors and residents of the neighborhoods just steps from the path.
The trail is in two sections, with nearly 2 miles between them. If you plan to travel both portions, use a map to determine the best on-road route between the two segments. Both segments have ample parking and are easy to navigate, with a surface of stone dust and some paving on slopes in the town of Bel Air.
The 2-mile southern section, in Bel Air, weaves through old stands of native trees, rising and falling with the dips of the landscape. It travels past streams and over bridges, and though homes are visible at the far reaches of the trees, this lovely green space provides a protected natural environment and a perfect setting for a stroll or a short jog.
In Forest Hill, the rail-trail meanders for 1.5 miles past an enchanting marsh teeming with wildlife, and through tidy developments of suburban homes, a light industrial area, and a recreational field.
North or south, the community parks framing the endpoints of the MA & PA Heritage Trail beckon you to slow down, enjoy a picnic, or watch the sun go down.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the Bel Air segment, follow Interstate 95 to exit 77B and take MD Route 24 (Vietnam Vets Memorial Hwy.) north toward Bel Air. Turn left onto Baltimore Pike. Turn right on North Tollgate Road and go 1 mile. The trail endpoint is on the right; parking is available here, across the road, and also at the Williams Street endpoint in Bel Air.
To access the Forest Hill segment, take MD Route 24 north from Bel Air to East West Hwy. (State Route 23), and turn left. Drive for about 2 miles, and turn right on Rock Spring Road (State Route 24). Follow this for about a half mile and turn left onto East Jarrettville Road. In a quarter mile, look for Friends Park on the left. Turn left into the park and follow the drive past the pond and up the rise to the trailhead, or meet the trail at Melrose Lane off Bynum Road.
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Trail has been extended
By fritz_monroe in October, 2010
This write up is old information.

The Belair section of the trail is now 3.29 miles and goes from the Williams Street parking lot to Annie's Playground. This section of the trail has some good elevation changes and is through some nice wooded areas.

The Forest Hill section is 1.7 miles. This is mainly flat, but there are a couple gently sloping hills. There are several roads to cross on this section of the trail. It also runs along the sidewalk of one of the roads.

See the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail web site located at http://www.mapatrail.org/ for better maps and elevation diagrams.
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Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Bel Air to Forest Hill
Counties: Harford
Trail Length: 3.5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone, Dirt
Trail Activities: Bike, Horseback Riding, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6016054

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Guidebook: Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic rail-trails in RTC's Mid-Atlantic Guidebook.
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