Matthew Henson Trail:
Maryland
Trail Map
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is mapping multi-use trails across the country. Click here to submit GPS data for this trail.
Description:
Matthew Henson State Park Segment
Matthew Henson Hiker-Biker Trail has a western terminus in Winding Branch Local Park, where it will connect to the southern stub of Gaynor Road at Hunter's Lane. Another spur in Winding Branch Local Park will connect to the northwestern stub of Dewey Road.

From the western terminus, the Trail runs near the western bank of the Turkey Branch of Rock Creek to approximately the intersection of Turkey Branch Parkway and Grenoble Drive. At this point it begins to run more deeply into the Matthew Henson State Park and crosses the west branch of Turkey Branch and from there travels mostly east-northeast along the northern bank of the east branch of Turkey Branch.

The Trail crosses under Connecticut Avenue at the infamous Cloverleaf to Nowhere bridge and then crosses to the southern bank of Turkey Branch, and skirts to the north of the recently constructed stormwater retention ponds. It rises to a street grade crossing of Georgia Avenue just southeast of the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Hewitt Avenue.

[edit]Matthew Henson Greenway Segment
The Trail exits Matthew Henson State Park at Georgia Avenue, and on the east side of Georgia Avenue it parallels the road, crossing to the south of the Global Mission Church and then it continues east-northeast in the Matthew Henson Greenway. It runs south of and generally parallel to Hewitt Avenue, crossing the ridge that separates the Rock Creek and Potomac River watershed from the Anacostia River Watershed. It parallels one of the small tributaries to Bel Pre Creek as it enters Bel Pre Neighborhood Park and here it has connections to both the northern and southern stubs of Rippling Brook Drive. It crosses Bel Pre Creek proper just south of Bel Pre Elementary School. From there it crosses Layhill Road and enters the Layhill Village Local Park, with an eastern terminus connecting to both the northern and southern stubs of Alderton Road.
... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
Driving west on Randolph Road cross Viers Mill Road. Approximately .5 miles at bottom of hill at traffic light take right onto Dewey Road. Approximately .5 miles Winding Branch Local Park on left. Parking available.
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Matthew Henson Trail
By youker in September, 2010
This is a lovely trail and a nice one hour round trip. It is a gradual uphill from Rock Creek and Winding Creek Park to Alderton Road, but nice coming back down. The trail facts lists it for in-line skating but the long pieces of wooden boardwalk north of Georgia Ave would not make for good skating. They are even bumpy on a bike and perhaps dangerous when wet. 9/6/2010 Youker
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Alderton Road, Silver Spring, MD to Rock Creek Park Trail at Winding Branch Park, Montgomery County, MD.
Counties: Montgomery
Trail Length: 4 miles
Trail Category: Greenway/Non-RT
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6437864

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