By jmcginnis11 in July, 2011
When it was constructed in 1984 along the abandoned North-Central Railroad, the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail was one of the first rails-to-trails projects in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Local residents who had initially opposed the project changed their minds once they realized that hikers, cyclists and horseback riders did not pose a threat to their communities, and, to the contrary, presented new small business opportunities. Today, the trail, in conjunction with the York County Heritage Rail Trail north of the Mason Dixon Line, forms the southern half of a multi-use greenway connecting downtown York with the northern Baltimore suburb of Hunt Valley. Aside from the first mile or so near the southern end, which is dominated by suburban subidivisions, most of the trail passes through scenic, rural countryside, though dense woodlands, sleepy hamlets witn names like Phoenix, Monkton, White Hall, Bee Tree and Freeland, as well as a coupleslightly larger towns like Parkton. While the railroad itself is long-gone (unlike the York County Heritage Rail Trail, which closely parallels a rail line that is technically still active, but has seen little use south of York city in recent years), relics of its existance, including old signal towers, mileposts, warning markers and train stations can still be seen at points all along the route. Amenities, including benches, picnic tables and interpretive signage are also plentiful. Cycling or hiking the Torrey Brown Rail Trail is a must for any trail lover who lives in north-central Maryland or south-central Pennsylvania.
By philipamy5 in July, 2011
My son and I just finished riding the entire trail. We started in York, PA at mile marker 17 along the Heritage trail and rode all the way down to Hunt Valley, MD. It took us five hours one way (37 miles - not bad for a thirty-something and his 9-year old son!). After spending the night in Hunt Valley we rode back, taking us just under 5 hours. The MD trail is quite nice. It's hard to compare it to the Heritage trail. If you are expecting this trail to be like the Heritage trail you are in for a surprise. The variation of the trail is nice. From thick canopy to several open runs, it keeps your interest as you ride along. There is about a three-mile down hill immediately after crossing the PA/MD line. We enjoyed it south-bound and survived it north-bound. The picnic tables every several miles are nice places to snack and rest. The trail ranges from a 10-ft wide path with a grass strip in the middle to a nice 20+ ft compact stone path. Since it was the 4th of July weekend, it was quite crowded but never difficult to navigate. There were the normal assortment of athletes and non-athletes with tubing folks carrying their tubes to various inputs along the creek that runs parallel. I think this will be an annual tradition!
By osborn2ride in June, 2011
This trail is one of the very best Rails to Trails that I have redden. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has done a great job of maintenance, from mowing the sides of the trail to picnic tables about every half miles, mile markers and at every crossroad it tells you the distance to the next two roads. I road from Cockeysville to Bentley Springs about 32 miles round trip. About 90% was under a tree canopy and that made the ride for me. The high light of the trip was the old Railroad Station at Monkton, it is like going back into the early thirty's. I did the trip on a mountain bike but you could do it on a road bike. This is a family friendly trail.