Explore the best rated trails in Hampstead, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail and Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park . With more than 119 trails covering 4587 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.
First time with my new bike! It was a cool morning so hardly anyone out….and then the afternoon came. Kids. Dogs. Ugh. But all good. It was a super fun ride. In the beginning some of the asphalt buckles or tree roots lifting it up so you will feel the bumps
This trail keeps getting better- It now has an awesome newly re-graveled sibling trail for bikers, the Conewago Recreation trail, which adds another 5 miles. I road yesterday from Elizabethtown all the way to Cornwall (Rootbeer barrel) and back (30 miles round trip) all smooth. Stopped by Mt Gretna Pizzeria- very close to the trail and no worries about traffic. Also stopped at Colebrook Crossing (ice cream shop!!!), which is so close to trail you can watch people riding while you enjoy a rootbeer float LOL
The path in some areas were easily accessible and shown however coming from takoma the signage was not very well maintained…the bike trail was on side and the signage on the opposite side. Luckily I know the area to get to the actual trail. Other than that, it was a pleasant bike trail.
This trail has been resurfaced and it totally makes a HUGE difference… thank you to all who got this done- I was able to ride 30 miles round trip on both trails all the way to the Root Beer Barrel and back. Bikers have no more worries going to the county line or further!
I start at Red Hill Road parking lot in Pequa and do the 20 mile round trip to Turkey Hill and back, it is flat, no potholes or surprises and glorious. Two bridges, 5 miles each way along the river, often a train, many groups of rock climbers on the weekend. Just glorious. If you want to add miles, going west is level and wooded. Some might say boring however I find it cool, refreshing and safe. My favorite trail!
A lot of trail damage from storms in July 2025 makes for a very rough ride. Rough hard gravel, very bumpy ride. Could be dangerous if riding fast. My friends and I have moved to the Pa Heritage Rail Trail. NCR is more beautiful though rough. Would love to know if/when trail damage will be smoothed out. Got to be a budget for repair
Level, thin tiny crush stone on packed earth trail. Rolls easily, just a step below paved. From small old town of Newville through woods and farmland 10 mile ride to small university town of Shippensburg, with a couple small villages on the way. Horse path is next to bike/pedestrian path. You may see horses and riders on path. You will see farms, barns, cows, sheep, horses, cats, birds, assorted other animals, louse distant mountains. You will smell manure. It is not 15.8 miles. It is 10 miles from park at Newville to Shippensburg. You can add a couple miles by going east from Newville to a dead end. It's a nice ride. In Newville you can park at the park at Cherry & McFarland Streets
This is one of the best trails around. Paved. Short stretch onto a couple of blocks in Marietta with little to no MV traffic. Very scenic, along river, through woods and fields, along cliffs. Winding through woods, strait ways through fields and a park. Close to level, slight rise and fall along river. Well maintained. Super ride. I saw reviews from electric bikers but really they should stick to public streets. Better yet, buy a motorcycle or some other licensed motor vehicle.
PLANNED TRAIL RESURFACING PROJECT
10/6/2025 - 11/14/2025
SCHEDULE UPDATED (10/24/2025)
Conewago Recreation Trail and Lancaster Junction Recreation Trails to be Resurfaced
Notice: The Conewago Recreation Trail and the Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail are scheduled to be resurfaced. Work is scheduled to take place beginning October 6, 2025, and run through November 6, 2025. During this time there may be partial or full trail closures. As the project progresses, we will post updates on the work schedule.
Accommodations will be made for currently scheduled events on the Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail in October and late November.
This project is being funded through the County's Capital Improvement Plan.
TRAIL RESURFACING PROJECT SCHEDULE
TRAIL PHASE SECTION
START DATE
END DATE
1 Conewago Recreation Trail CRT-Phase-1 Rt 230 - Mill Rd
10/6/25 10/8/25
2 Conewago Recreation Trail
CRT-Phase-2 Mill Rd - Old Hershey Rd 10/9/25 10/11/25
3 Conewago Recreation Trail
CRT-Phase-3 Old Hershey Rd - Rt 743 10/13/25 10/14/25
4 Conewago Recreation Trail
CRT-Phase-4 Rt 743 - Koser Rd 10/15/25 10/17/25
5 Conewago Recreation Trail
CRT-Phase-5 Koser Rd - Bellaire Rd 10/20/25 10/23/25
6 Conewago Recreation Trail
CRT-Phase-6 Bellaire Rd - Prospect Rd 10/22/25 10/23/25
7 Conewago Recreation Trail
CRT-Phase-7
Prospect Rd - County Line 10/23/25 10/27/25
8 Lancaster Junction Trail LJRT-Phase-1 Champ Blvd - Spooky Nook Rd
10/28/25 10/30/25
9 Lancaster Junction Trail
LJRT-Phase-2 Spooky Nook Rd - S Colebrook Rd 11/3/25 11/4/25
10 Lancaster Junction Trail
LJRT-Phase-3
S Colebrook Rd - Auction Rd 11/5/25 11/6/25
Full trail expected to be open on weekends. Partial trails closures expected during week days.
Nice wide open relatively flat trail. It is after all a rail trail. After the 22 mile mark it turned pretty rough. Large gravel,mud…. I turned back….was hoping to take this to the end near gap. I do enjoy this rail trail. Well maintained nice country & river view for first several miles
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