Explore the best rated trails in Gaithersburg, 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 120 trails covering 4623 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.
This trail whines around the forest so you can’t go too fast but it’s a great shaded trail that’s completely paved for a leisure ride. I saw a lot of wildlife during my bike ride as well!
This was my wife and I first time on this trail, we parked in the over flow parking lot I guess you don't have to pay to park in this lot where as the other lot it $2.50 hour. This is a 6 mile trail one way at the end is the Eastern Bay the Romancoke Pier, there is a restroom facility and soda machines at the end and places to sit and rest. Along the trail it is paved and one wooden bridge that you cross, there is also a golf course on this route. We rode to the end and then on our way back we rode down some of the side streets to see the homes, there were a few others riding bikes and some walking and jogging. over all a nice quick ride.
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.
This trail is quiet as far as other people are concerned. During 75% of the 6-mile trail you are riding within 10-15 yards of route 8, so there is noise from traffic. I rode this trail on a weekday, so I only saw 2-3 other bikes on the trail and 10 people walking or jogging. The first two miles of the trail are shady as you are riding through woods. There is a 2-mile section in the middle of the trail where there is no shade as you are riding past open fields. At the southern end there are flush restrooms at the Romancoke fishing pier. The are no places along the trail to get food or beverages, but these are available about 4 miles prior to arriving at the northern trailhead. There are park benches about every mile, and one picnic table, but again you are only yards off of the highway. The asphalt is in very good condition and the trail is relatively flat.
My 5 yo enjoyed this trail immensely! Frequently changing scenery. Mellow hills and turns. This is the perfect trail for new riders needing to build some skills. Shaded parking if you’re lucky. Clean restrooms at the Terrapin trailhead.
There is no bike access to West Virginia from Maryland on the bridge yet. I hate leaving my bike in Maryland and walking all the way to West Virginia. It stinks.
Too many tree roots making the trail very bumpy. My wheels are not true anymore...
This trail is beautiful. The first 5 miles you are riding under a canopy of large trees on the well-shaded, pristine asphalt trail. I had only ridden a ½ mile when I came upon 5 deer just feet off the trail standing in the woods. The trail crosses several small creeks off the Chester River and the scenery is gorgeous. There are clean restrooms at the trailhead and another restroom about three miles east, just look for the large white-water tower. After you cross the Kent Narrows Drawbridge you are riding mostly on low wooden bridges over swampy areas the last 1 1/2 miles of the trail. The wooden planks are a little rough to ride on. There are several gas stations just off the trail where you could get a snack or something to drink. I tried to ride the dirt loop near the trailhead that takes you to the Chesapeake Bay but after a mile the dirt trail turned into sand and my tires were not made for this. This is a trail I will definitely ride about once a month. Maybe next time I’ll eat breakfast at home and instead stop mid-way through my ride to enjoy a seafood lunch at one of the restaurants near the narrows.
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.
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