Explore the best rated trails in Owings Mills, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Farmingdale Trail and Anacostia River Trail . With more than 120 trails covering 4658 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.
Some parts east of Carroll Park were a bit sketchy. That said, I love the variety that this trail brings. Western part is very well-signed and doesn’t even feel like city. Eastern part is a bit more confusing (I definitely recommend having the map open). This was a fun 2 rides.
My husband and I broke the trail up into 3 segments between May 8th to May 19, 2025 riding our bikes. We started at New Freedom, PA and rode to Walker Road and back. (14.2 miles). The next time we rode from Walker Road to Monkton station and back. (14.2 miles). Then we finished the trail riding from Monkton to Ashland Road and back (14.2 miles). The scenery included beautiful foliage, a winding creek, and various forest creatures. The trail itself is well kept. It is also well traveled with walkers, runners and cyclists.
This experience is based on parking at Mount Vernon and riding the trail for approximately 4 miles in one direction, then returning. The trail is primarily paved, with a scattering of wide wooden bridges to cross. You will ride an asphalt two-laned path through lightly forested areas as well as open areas, so you can enjoy the sun and the breeze coming off the Potomac River. The scenery is spectacular, and gives you the opportunity to forget that you are in Northern Virginia.
However, there are a lot of inclines and descents that some may find challenging. If all else fails, just get off the bike and walk, and pick up riding when the trail flattens out. Part of the route -- not the trail itself -- goes through a short tunnel, so the trail ends at the tunnel entrance, and picks up again once you go through and exit the tunnel. This means while in the tunnel, you are on the road, and not on a bike path. For children bike riders and hikers, extra precaution should be taken at this point. Other than that, absolutely stunning views of Northern Virginia and the Potomac River. Bald Eagles can be seen flying over the water as well. This trail is definitely a do-over!
Rode south from Inner Harbor to MedStar Harbor Hospital, a decidedly mixed experience. The "urban" part is tricky, not well-signed, and lots of crumbly asphalt and broken glass. The spot where the Middle Branch Trail/E Coast Greenway hits Russell St (south of Top Golf, just north of the Wheelabrator) is also a spot for people to gather, didn't feel very safe. (It was neat to see Gwynnda the Good Wheel of the West near there, however.) The "Westport" section of the trail feels very exposed: deserted industrial with occasional cars with opaque windows...once you arrive to the Middle Branch Park, the trail is more park-like but not well-populated even on a beautiful day and the trail is not in great condition. Pretty views of Baltimore from the coast. If you're departing from the inner harbor, would recommend just biking out to Fort McHenry instead - a bit more traffic but feels significantly safer and much nicer.
It’s in great shape compared to some of the city streets, and is somewhat well-marked. I used the map on the TrailLink app to make sure I didn’t make a wrong turn, and would recommend the same to other riders. Sometimes you have to share a sidewalk or street, but when you do they’ve been widened for it. North of Falls Road, there are several sets of switchbacks and several hills.
I park at Maryland Ave off of MacArthur Blvd and hop on the car-free path here. Lots of lovely scenery and never crowded. Weekends there are a lot of street bikers but the pathway is always easy going. Restrooms across from Old Angler's Inn - good turn around point. Great ride.
Hands-down amazing trail. It’s a nice wooded adventure, especially east of Riverfront Park, and it’s twisty! Not enough to really impede a good ride. I like the twists; they made the trail interesting in ways many rail trails don’t. Highly recommend for riders of all levels.
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
This trail is outstanding so far. Still a lot of work to be done, but wow.
The trail is incredibly straight, so it can seem boring at times, but that also makes long rides easy since you can just go without having to slow down for roads or anything. Eden and Bart townships have done work on improving their segments, and the whole trail, even where it says “unimproved,” is perfectly rideable until Atglen, where it does deteriorate a bit. Overall great trail.
The church parking is not open to the public. I parked on Charles St. That said, the trail is in great shape, and there is a trestle bridge leftover from the railroad viewable from the trail. Just note: it’s a climb!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
