Explore the best rated trails in Bethesda, MD. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Meadowlark Connector Trail. With more than 115 trails covering 4595 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
It’s a fun trail, but the only issue is it’s busy & gets very slippery by the entrance with all the debri from the plants.
In the last week of October 2022, while heading to N. VA. to attend a hobby show,
I decided to bring along the bike to sample some bike trails along the way.
First stop was the Cardinal Greenway. Next I transited to N.VA via Ohio, Pennsylvania,
W. Va & Maryland. Oct 27 2022, I took My first ride on the "Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
National Historical Park" towpath (here after 'C&O'). By comparison to other trails I've
done, this trail is packed gravel, so a change of wheels/tires was in order. The surface
reminded Me of the Forest Service roads at De Soto NF, so I felt right at home. My start
point was Carderock Recreation Area. The access road actually goes through a tunnel
'under' the canal & towpath! This is milepost 10.5. From there I went west toward mp 16.6,
Swain Lock (lock 21). On the way you will encounter 'the Great Falls' of the Potomac. Stop
and check out the walkway to the Olmsted Island & Falls Overlook. Spectacular, and this is
just 10 miles west of Wasington DC! I then visited the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center, then
returned to Carderock for lunch. After a break, I headed east getting as far as mp 7 (lock 7),
before returning to Carderock. I was running out of time, & decided to save the rest of the
east leg for another day. [21 miles total, and lots of sightseeing!]
After visiting the 24th "International Paper Modelers' Convention" 2022 (the point of the road trip)
on Sunday, Oct. 30th, I decided to Return to the 'C&O', and complete the eastern leg. Starting at
the Lock 8 parking area, walking the bike down a flight of 'stairs', I started the ride at mp 8.3 in the
Seven Locks area, heading east. Soon encountered the Capital Cresent trail, which crosses the C&O
on an old railway bridge, then runs parallel into the city. Just for comparison, I rode the Cresent, which
is asphalt, into town, and the C&O out. With a brief hour of sightseeing by bike around the National Mall
(because I was there) then back to the start. 3 hrs/22 miles. Will return again, as this was just a recon
ride [the whole C&O is 184.5 miles] I only scratched the surface!
Today husband and I started the 3 Notch Trail at the library in Charlotte Hall MD, on a perfect autumn day. The trail was everything we could want. Interesting scenery, well maintained asphalt trail, friendly fellow travelers. As "super seniors" (ages 75 & 81) we limited our trip to a 16 mile there and back again. Can't wait to finish that last segment, but winter approacheth, so next time, next year...
Rode the trail in early November. The paved trail is generally in good shape, though there are a few root bumps here and there. The road noise and airplane noise were a big detraction. There was a nice view of the airport and seeing the planes taking off and landing was fun. There are a few inclines and declines, but nothing overly significant. All in all, it was just okay for me.
This is a good city trail to get off the main road and cut through to enjoy some nature.
This is a quaint trail that goes past some cute neighborhoods. I'd drive down there and ride it again.
I walked the trail for about 2 miles (4 miles round trip) starting at the trail head off of Washington Blvd near Carroll Park.
The pros are the scenery, beautiful trees and the stream views. The cons are you can hear I-95 at the beginning of trail and the isolation---few trail users.
My wife and I just discovered this wonderful trail. It’s one of the best bike trails we’ve biked. The payment is near perfect with no cracks or rough patches. The shoulders are well groomed and the small wood bridges are well maintained. Today’s ride treated us to the fall foliage. We plan to make frequent visits for the near 27 round trip ride and. Recommend it highly
Great first 5 miler hiking trail for Cub & Boy Scouts who want to complete hiking requirements. Cub Scouts should start at Route 619 and Linton Hall Road. The hike will be less strenuously in a way because it is more of a downhill hike in nature. There's also a ice cream store in the shopping area at the end of the hike. Boy Scouts should make the hike starting at Route 29 (Nokesville Road) and Linton Hall Road for conditioning purposes.
Nice wide hiking/walking/bicycle path. Four lane traffic roadway with lights.
Parked at the st francis school along the street one Sunday afternoon. Soccer day so parking was limited. Noted the lake nearby, across the street and was pleased to see a walking, biking and car (no cars allowed) path going around the lake for 1.5mi. Nice warm up. All sun, no shade, nice mix of bikers joggers walkers. But not too crowded. Returned to the head of the herring trail -far side of the soccer fields, immediately descends and hooks right. Hard right and you ride along the soccer fields and the right side of the creek. Left, you go over a small wooden bridge, and are on the left side of the creek. Average sized path, tight/blind corners at first but then is open enough to see in oncoming foot/bike traffic. Two major street crossings and a handful of minor one, it’s a fairly olead r 2.5 ni all paved mainly flat path that’s a loop
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