Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail (formerly North Central or Northern Central):
Maryland
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Description:
The Northern Central Railroad Trail, completed in 1984, is one of the best hiking and biking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region. It allows for more than 20 miles of smooth, flat travel on the crushed stone surface, punctuated by a number of access points and an abundance of trees that provide refreshing shade on hot summer days. The trail begins in Cockeysville, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore, and ends just over the state line in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, where the Mason-Dixon Line divides the southern Atlantic states from the Northeastern states.
The history of the rail-trail dates back to 1832, when the Northern Central Railroad carried passengers, people vacationing at Bentley Springs, and freight between Baltimore and York or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The railroad ran for about 140 years, and you can still see part of the old bed, which was converted to a rail-tail in the early 1980s. Today, the Northern Central Railroad Trail is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as part of the Gunpowder Falls State Park.
Amenities along the route include picnic and park benches, drinking fountains for hikers and bikers and dogs, too, and portable restrooms. Just off the trail, you can enjoy a small art gallery, an antique shop, and several places to stop and buy food and drinks. Hotels and motels can be found within a mile of the trail, and there is easy access to a bike shop that rents and repairs bikes. The trail cuts through several charming towns, including Monkton (a major stop for hikers and bikers), Parkton, Falls Overlook, Bentley Springs, and New Freedom.
The trail is used by an eclectic mix of horseback riders, joggers, walkers, hikers, bikers, and people of all ages. On the weekends, the trail is heavily used by local residents and travelers from the Baltimore area, so parking may be a challenge. For those seeking an escape from the urban areas of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region, this trail is a wooded oasis-an escape from the every day stresses of nearby city life.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the southern end of the trail from the neighborhood of Ashland, follow Interstate 83 north from Baltimore, and take exit 20 to Cockeysville. Turn left on York Road (MD Route 45), and then turn right on Ashland Road, which is a T-intersection. Ashland turns into Paper Mill Road. The trail parking lot will be on the left.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
None
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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*****
By jimlwise on June 30, 2010
Rode a portion of this trail with scouts a few years ago.
-- Was planning to revisit and consider doing the entire trail ...
-- However, learned that Pennsylvania picked up and/or completed the trail from New Freedom all the way up to York
-- Learned from PA visitor center (from a brochure printed in 1999) that PA was also going the extend the trail farther North from York to park or State Park farther North.
-- Seeking more current information on the complete "line" from MD through PA
One of the best
By jmcginnis11 on February 05, 2010
The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, which is more commonly known by its old name, the North Central Rail Trail, comprises the southern half of the greenway that connects downtown York (and is currently being extended further north to Rudy County Park) to Hunt Valley. Although the tracks that parallel the Heritage Rail Trail end at the Maryland line, old whistle posts, abandoned signal towers and numerous train stations serve as testiments to the trail's railroad heritage. The picturesque combination of lush woodlands, bucolic farms and intimate small towns that makes the Heritage Trail so appealing also dominates the Maryland portion almost to Hunt Valley. Plans to eventually join the trail to the East Coast Greenway and the Jones Falls Trail will ensure its popularity for the foreseeable future.
Fun breaking in a new bike
By Keybord on September 20, 2008
My wife and I have return to our first love--bike riding. We are empty nesters now. We had not realize what this 'Rail to Trail' thing was until this year. We use to ride on the streets of Baltimore. The bike rack stays on the car all summer. We take our bikes to whatever state we travel. This is our favorite trail because we live twenty minutes away from the Ashton trailhead (did'nt even know what a Trailhead was 6 months ago). We're still building up stamina. Today we rode from Ashton to Monkton. I understand thats approximately 71/2 miles. We learn to detect when we were getting near an excess point because the trail became busier with joggers, families etc. We people watched in Monkton. Oh and bike watched because I'm in the market for a new bike now. I was a little surprise when I went into the eatery at Monkton (7 miles works up an appitite) and ask for a large burger and found they only served veggie foods. I tried it but it didn't do well for my hunger. My wife had brought a granola bar with her. Ordinarily I would'nt eat those but----. The trail was great. Temperature was just right today. Came close to being dump by some fast little critters deciding to cross the trail just as I reach that point. All total we spent about 4 hours out. We know we can do 15 to 20 miles easily now. Broke in a new bike and we hate to see winter arrive just when we're starting to have fun. By the way we're seniors so judging by the way we feel we'll be hitting the bed early. "Happy Trails"
Just a quick stop not too far away from the southern point
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Cockeysville, MD to New Freedom, PA
Counties: Baltimore
Trail Length: 21 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Bike, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016057

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