Explore the best rated trails in Damascus, 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 4619 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.
Nice trail with a variety of parks and rivers and bridges and lakes. Visiting the Aquatic Park and Gardens was a real treat. It's right off the trail. Weekends can be a bit crowded and the trail is narrow but it a must do. Markers guide you along the way, there's lots of separate intersecting trails.
For scenic views and a step back in time this trail is a must. It's muddy, especially right after rain. We avoid our e-bike on this trail due to the mud, but it's mainly flat. Paw paw tunnel is a must see, but it's nothing out there along the way. Harpers Ferry is gorgeous and historic. Bring your Bug Guard you'll need it. And your swim tube.
Too many tree roots making the trail very bumpy. My wheels are not true anymore...
Rode this entire trail from Hunt Valley to New Freedom PA a day after it rained hard all day. The rain held off and the trail drained nicely. The surface was not bad until about 5 miles before the PA border got narrow and a bit rough, thus the four star rating. And its a huge difference once you cross the border in PA to the Heritage trail as the surface is nicer and wider. We stayed in Hunt Valley at the Holiday Inn Express and it was only a 1/4 mile from the trail. Don't recommend that you ride to it as the road was very busy and narrow and no shoulder
Surprised to see this amazing trail that has great bed and breakfasts along it is not noted as part of the Great American Rail Trail. It sure would help demonstrate more GART completion if it was.
Not from around here so using the directions given just took me to a car park that’s not actually attached to the trail
Easily found parking at Green Meadows Park on a weekday, and went 'back' a mile or so to the south in order to start the trail at the very beginning. The overall trail is in very good shape, the only issues occurring when I ran into road or trail construction - not a trail issue (and eventually a trail benefit, I'd guess). While the entire trail is very nice (and not quite 10 miles, by my GPS) the southern end, where I started, is not as pleasant as the northern end - there's a few busy roads to cross that take away from the feeling of nature. (One peculiarity - when crossing Riggs Road at the pedestrian crosswalk, that has a 'push button to turn on flashing lights' button, you are unable to see the lights yourself - makes the whole 'safety' thing a bit dodgy as you're not sure when the cars are stopping for you. I used the crosswalk at the nearby cross street on my return). My only suggestion regarding the trail would be to put a few more trail signs - as a first-timer I felt the need to double check that I was still on the trail, using my bike GPS, quite a few times.
I recently moved to the area and needed to find a trail nearby. So happy I found Henson Creek.
I just returned from my third ride on the Western MD. I've ridden the entire trail and it's great to get in a half century ride. Starting from Little Orleans one can ride west a short distance to a gate at a high bridge over the Potomac River. West Virginia has not completed any of the proposed section to the west. Riding back east after a short distance you reach the blocked off Indigo Tunnel. The tunnel is blocked due to endangered bats. A zig-zag ramp leads down to the C&O Towpath. You ride the towpath about 2.5 miles and take a similar zig-zag ramp back up to the Western MD. Except for this detour the entire route is paved asphalt. There are areas of either frost or root heaves but not too bad. When the leaves are off there are nice views of the C&O Towpath, the canal and the Potomac. Most of the path is in the woods with a few fields here and there. At times the trail runs along a high, narrow path pretty high above the river. There are historical markers, some benches and a small shelter or two. The first, and only town on the trail is Hancock, MD. It is about half way between the endpoints. There are the regular amenities not far off trail such as a few fast food joints and a Sheetz. The top attraction for trail eats is Buddy Lou's right on the trail and at a cross-over to the C&O. Needless to say it gets busy in the summer. Buddy Lou's isn't open every day however so plan accordingly. There is also a bike shop in town right by the trail. After Hancock its a fairly straight run to the end at Big Pool. Some this section is close to I70 and some very close (less than 20 ft) so there can be a bit of traffic noise. This is my least favorite part and would probably rate the trail at 4.5 stars if I could. At Big Pool there is a parking area plus some benches, a restroom and a bike repair station. It's a nice place for a lunch break if you're doing a round trip. All together I can wholeheartedly recommend the Western MD. We have even used it as the half of a loop with the other half on the C&O.
I enjoyed being able to get used to my Catrike Villager on a paved trail, close to a town yet still adjacent to farm fields and Antietam Creek. I was able to practice shifting gears on various uphills and downhills. I will definitely visit this again!
This trail is mostly paved and runs through varied terrain. It travels along a creek, through the woods, near an old repurposed prison, and several neighborhoods. I started at the Southern terminus. Time only allowed me to ride the southern 10 miles (10 out and 10 back). Although paved, I’d recommend a hybrid, gravel, mountain or comfort bike of you are biking it. There are rooted areas and some creek crossings with cement stepping areas to get across. There were very few on the trail on the Wednesday afternoon that I wenrX There are some tricky forks in the path. Make sure you have a map or app accessible.
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