Explore the best rated trails in Essex, MD. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail and Springlawn Trail. With more than 104 trails covering 4547 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.
The MacArthur Boulevard Bike Path follows the winding road through the communities of Bethesda and Potomac, just north of Washington, DC. Along the way, the path passes shops in Cabin John and Glen...
Winding along its eponymous river, the Anacostia River Trail (also known as the Anacostia Riverwalk) is a gem of a trail in southeast Washington, D.C.—a vital recreation and active-transportation...
CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 2022 FOR UPGRADING. The Mount Airy Rail-Trail will one day span nearly 4 miles across the town of Mount Airy and through a scenic, wooded area. The first completed section of the...
The Bluemont Junction Trail is a short paved trail that branches off from the popular Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) in the heart of Arlington. The trail was built on a spur line that once...
Baltimore’s Stony Run Trail follows an old Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad line through nearly 3 miles of wooded stream valleys and small parks, providing a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle...
Between 1900 and 1935, the Chesapeake Beach Railway whisked vacationers from Washington, DC, to the grand hotels, beaches and boardwalk of the resort town of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Now tourists...
Running north to south for 11 miles along the Jones Falls Stream Valley, the Jones Falls Trail is one of the Baltimore region’s premier urban trails. Combining pristine forested stream valleys and...
The West Campus Access Road Trail, the newest rail-trail in Washington, D.C., travels through the sprawling former campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital, now set to become the new home of the Department...
The Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park course for 2.5 miles through the heavily wooded park between Ilchester Road and Lost Lake. The trail is gentle and wheelchair accessible. It passes...
The Easton Rails to Trails runs from Dutchmans Lane in southern Easton, Maryland, to North Easton Parka large sports complexover 2.5 miles away. The trail opened in 1998 and has been a popular local...
The Klingle Valley Trail spans just shy of a mile in a leafy, residential area of northwest Washington, DC. The trail opened in June 2017 and is accessible to the neighborhoods of Cleveland Park,...
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
The Hollow Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway through scenic woodlands and valleys, offering a quiet oasis in the suburbs. The trail provides an important link between neighborhoods, schools...
The Marvin Gaye Trail offers a paved pathway through the Deanwood, Burville, Lincoln Heights, and Hillbrook neighborhoods of Washington, DC. Just shy of 2 miles, it runs from Minnesota Avenue NE, near...
The MA & PA Heritage Trail is not your typical rail-trail. Named for the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, which chugged through the Harford County countryside for the first half of the 20th...
The Strawberry Lake Way Bicycle Path is a 2.2 mile trail that is located between Laurel and Annapolis in Anne Arundel County Maryland. The trail starts at Piney Orchard Elementary School, and ends at...
The Wayne Gilchrest Trail offers a scenic off-road route across historical Chestertown on the Eastern Shore, connecting Wilmer Park on the Chester River with Washington College on the north side of...
The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail follows the route of the historic Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, tracing the Susquehanna River northwest from Columbia to Falmouth. The entire trail is paved....
This is a pleasant one mile community trail which begins right at the center of Red Lion, PA. The main trailhead is on Main St. at the restored MA&PA train station, which now is home to the Red Lion...
Oxon Run is the name of a tributary of the Potomac River in southeast DC, which lends its name to both the trail system and park in which the trail loop is found. The trail on both sides of the...
The St. Michaels Nature Trail skirts the western edge of the scenic town of St. Michaels, Maryland, which was built on the site of a 17th century Anglican church that eventually lent the settlement...
Also known as the Creek Road Trail from its origin road in Delaware, the PennDel Trail extends north from a connection with the Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail in White Clay Creek State Park. The scenic...
Providing an important urban link between the Crystal City area of Arlington and the western edge of historical Alexandria, the Potomac Yard Trail is a huge boon to the area for commuting as well as...
The James F. Hall Trail, named for the City of Newark’s late parks and recreation director, packs a lot into a short stretch. Its paved surface is great for bicycling, inline skating, and stroller and...
Maryland's Ben Cardin C&D Canal Recreational Trail links to Delaware's Michael Castle Trail; both run along the north bank of the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal and meet at the state line. The...
The Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail offers a scenic 12.4-mile route along the north shore of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in northern Delaware. The popular trail is named after the former...
Maryland is home to two Paint Branch Trails, this one in Montgomery County and another farther south in Prince George's County. This Paint Branch Trail offers a well-shaded, paved pathway...
The Bethesda Trolley Trail—also known as the North Bethesda Trail—is a 4-mile path linking Bethesda and North Bethesda, primarily by bridging two major highways. The trail occupies the abandoned...
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail provides a superb link between Alexandria, VA, and Maryland's National Harbor over the Potomac River. This well-used trail crosses on the up-river side of the bridge...
The Gwynns Falls Trail is a nearly 19-mile continuous corridor that winds through dozens of west and southwest Baltimore neighborhoods, parks, and historical and cultural landmarks and the urban...
Situated on hilly land on the northern edge of Newark, the Newark Reservoir was built in 2006 to capture water from the nearby White Clay Creek watershed - and thanks to the paved Newark Reservoir...
Between 1900 and 1935, the Chesapeake Beach Railway whisked vacationers from Washington, DC, to the grand hotels, beaches and boardwalk of the resort town of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Now tourists...
This 3.45-mile paved trail follows the Magruder Branch creek, beginning at the Damascus Recreational Park on Kings Valley Road. It’s a relatively flat trail for most of its length, barring the steeper...
The John Overstreet Connector is a 1.5-mile trail segment that links the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail and BWI Trail. The shortbut vitaltrail is named after Overstreet, a retiree from Glen Burnie,...
Central Maryland's WB&A Trail occupies the former Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railway corridor—hence its name—for its entire route. The railroad operated electric commuter trains...
The Matthew Henson Trail runs along a paved surface (rough in places from tree roots) through a narrow band of forested green space between the Rock Creek Trail just south of Veirs Road and Alderton...
Tucked in the meandering, wooded hills of the sprawling yet understated multimillion-dollar estates of Great Falls, just outside Washington, D.C., is the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic...
This paved path parallels Georgia Avenue along the west side, and provides easy access to the Intercounty Connector Trail (ICC Trail). Starting at the southern endpoint, the trail follows Georgia...
The Bluemont Junction Trail is a short paved trail that branches off from the popular Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) in the heart of Arlington. The trail was built on a spur line that once...
Caution: On April 12, 2018, a fire severely damaged the Martic Forge Trestle, which runs over Pequea Creek and River Road on the Enola Low Grade Trail. Access to the trail going west from the Route...
Downs Park Trail is located in Downs Park on the Chesapeake Bay just north of Gibson Island. The 3.5-mile perimeter trail is paved, popular for walkers and cyclists alike, and an additional 1.5 miles...
Little Falls Trail is a hike-and-bike pathway in Montgomery County, Maryland. Winding through parks and along creeks, the trail runs parallel to the popular Capital Crescent Trail for part of its...
The John Overstreet Connector is a 1.5-mile trail segment that links the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail and BWI Trail. The shortbut vitaltrail is named after Overstreet, a retiree from Glen Burnie,...
The Catonsville Short Line Trail follows a segment of the former Catonsville Short Line Railroad, which ran from Charlestown to Catonsville. As of 2018, the trail runs between Shady Nook Avenue and...
Black Hill Trail offers a wooded trek with gentle inclines through Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC. The trail is primarily paved, though a short section in...
The Hollow Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway through scenic woodlands and valleys, offering a quiet oasis in the suburbs. The trail provides an important link between neighborhoods, schools...
Also known as the Creek Road Trail from its origin road in Delaware, the PennDel Trail extends north from a connection with the Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail in White Clay Creek State Park. The scenic...
Although it parallels Eisenhower Avenue, this paved pathway is not without its charms. On its west end, Alexandria's Eisenhower Avenue Trail begins in Hensley Park, which offers plentiful parking and...
The St. Michaels Nature Trail skirts the western edge of the scenic town of St. Michaels, Maryland, which was built on the site of a 17th century Anglican church that eventually lent the settlement...
Only a mile long, the Savage Mill Trail rolls through a significant piece of Howard County’s industrial heritage as it crosses the grounds of an old textile mill complex on the Little Patuxent River....
The Springlawn Trail travels on what was once Springlawn Road, connecting Chesterville Road (Rt. 841) and Strickersville Road. The 2-mile trail is comprised of dirt and gravel and makes for a good...
Prince George's County's Paint Branch Trail (not to be confused with Montgomery County's Paint Branch Trail farther north) runs for 3.5 miles between Lake Artemesia and Cherry Hill Neighborhood Park...
The Cross County Trail is a multi-use trail that generally follows the various stream valleys in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is officially named the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in recognition...
Curving around the perimeter of the Army's Forest Glen Annex, the paved portion of the Ireland Trail is 1.5 miles and winds through the woods, making for a pleasant and scenic excursion into nature....
This short rail-with-trail is short but makes some pretty significant connections: it links the King Street and Braddock Road metro stations. It also connects to the Potomac Yard Trail, helping to...
The Kent Island South Trail is one of two popular recreational trails on Maryland’s Kent Island, the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay (the other is the Cross Island Trail). The trail runs parallel...
The Wayne Gilchrest Trail offers a scenic off-road route across historical Chestertown on the Eastern Shore, connecting Wilmer Park on the Chester River with Washington College on the north side of...
The Bluemont Junction Trail is a short paved trail that branches off from the popular Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) in the heart of Arlington. The trail was built on a spur line that once...
Traversing the Delaware/Pennsylvania border along the scenic White Clay Creek, the Charles Bailey Trail offers a pleasant, wooded hike for those willing to travel somewhat off the beaten path. The...
Nearly a mile in length, the Canning House Run Trail extends from the entrance to the Perryville boat ramp south along the west side of Roundhouse Drive to the historic Rodgers Tavern at the...
I live right off of this trail and despite reassurance from the local government that it will be repaired (it’s been years!!) the path by Van Dorn and also a small bridge by Cameron Station are still closed.
Taking the Rock Creek Trail South, once you pass over the Viers Mill Bridge you can make a U-turn at the bottom of the bridge and head back to Viers Mill Road. The Twinbrook Connector starts there, heading Northwest and is protected from Viers Mill traffic by a guardrail. After 2/10 of a mile, you'll turn left into a beautiful forest. In five more minutes, you'll have finished the uphill trail. Continue up to Fishers Lane, make a right and in five minutes you'll be at the Twinbrook Metro Station.
Me and my son ride this trail to get from Capitol heights metro to Minnesota/Nannie Hellen corner.. it has about 4 or 5 crosswalks lol
This is a very pretty, flat paved trail. Very enjoyable and the town of Marietta in the middle of the trail is a great little trail town.
Awesome trail. Nice scenery with history along the way. Only did point of rock to Brunswick. Stopped at the brewery. Next trip will be to Harpers Ferry.
The Long Branch Trail is a nice sedate, woodsy trail that is short but sweet. Provides nice access to the Long Branch Recreation Center as well as several local parks. Offers a restful retreat from traffic and noise. Would be nice if it was extended further south to connect to the Sligo Creek Trail.
The Georgia Avenue Trail offers a nice option for north and south access from the ICC Trail along Georgia Ave. There's a shopping plaza north of Emory Lane (where the Olney Manor Recreational Park and Swim Center is located) and it takes one at least part of the way to downtown Olney. Hopefully someday it will be extended southward beyond Norbeck Road to connect it to the Matthew Henson Trail. Check out the many hawks and vultures in the air or on the microwave or cell phone towers near the ICC Park and Ride lot. Use caution when crossing ICC off-ramp; there is limited sight distance.
The Ireland Drive Trail offers a nice quiet trail through the woods that can also be used for access from Rock Creek Trail (near Le Velle Drive) to Forest Glen and Silver Spring. The Ament Drive entrance is right by the National Park Seminary and the National Museum of Health and Medicine. The entrance off of the Rock Creek Trail is close to Woodend Nature Sanctuary.
The three decade long effort to develop a multi-use greenway linking the south central and southeastern parts of PA took a huge step toward becoming a reality with the opening of the restored Safe Harbor Trestle earlier this month. The massive steel trestle, which looks like it was assembled from a giant erector set, has been refurbished with a wide, concrete deck lined with small American flags, plaques acknowledging individuals, organizations and businesses that helped finance the project and even a couple plexiglass panes placed where holes once existed on the decking, offering those brave enough to look a view of the superstructure. It links the extremely popular Manor Township segment of the Enola Low Grade Trail with the section that gradually ascends from the river before turning east towards Martic Forge, eliminating what had been a major gap. Trail users will also be treated to breathtaking, bird's eye views of the Susquehanna River, the smaller Conestoga River and Safe Harbor Dam. There are also binoculars mounted on the western railing that provide views of the wildlife that calls the Susquehanna River home, including bald eagles. Other new features include a picnic pavilion and overlook on the northwest approach to the bridge, as well as a restored shack that was once used by the maintenance workers who kept the RR free of brush and other obstructions. Trail users who arrive at the right time may also see freight trains rumbling along on the active Norfolk Southern RR line that parallels this section of the Enola Low Grade Trail and passes almost immediately beneath the trestle.
Further east, the segment of the trail that passes through Eden, Bart and Sadsbury townships is finally getting some much needed improvements. Eden Township laid a new surface comprised of recycled, milled asphalt from Quarryville to Bushong Road in 2021 and built a picnic pavilion at the Bushong Road trailhead, Bart Township is making drainage improvements and the RR bridge over Quaker Church Road on the boundary of Bart and Sadsbury townships was restored, with shiny new sides and a concrete deck. These three townships plan to make more extensive improvements, including a new, crushed stone surface, the restoration of two bridges over streams and development of new trailheads.
Once repairs to the Martic Forge Trestle over Pequea Creek, which was damaged by arson in 2018, is repaired later this year (2022), the Enola Low Grade Trail will be continuous from Turkey Hill to Bushong Road, bringing the vision of the Schuylkill-Susquehanna Passage two steps closer to being finished.
Extremely dusty; limestone dust totally covered my bike. I fear what it did to my lungs.
The Safe Harbor bridge reopened on June 2, connecting the 5 mile Manor section to Conestoga's 4 miles, currently ending at the still closed Martic Forge trestle. The trail surface is now mostly gravel dust, quite dusty but preferable to the previous rough gravel surface south of the bridge. The Safe Harbor bridge is unrecognizable from its prior humble skeleton, now wide enough for large trucks to safely cross, with high railings to keep the kiddos grounded, and a cement deck to thwart firebugs. I'll admit to a pang of sentimentality for the last time I (legally, anyway) crossed it on foot 30 years ago. With open holes between the rail ties and a 24 inch high single bar between you and the river far below, it was quite a different experience. On a sunny weekend evening just after re-opening, there was still parking available and except for the immediate bridge area, crowds were thin. Kudos to Manor Township for making it happen, and if you see anyone whose support is acknowledged on the many brass plaques along the way, thank them too.
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