Explore the best rated trails in Towson, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Farmingdale Trail and Springlawn Trail . With more than 125 trails covering 4662 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.
Rode most of the trail yesterday starting in Railroad, PA on the Heritage Trail and turned around at the old train station in Monkton, MD. Temperature was in the mid-80s, and humidity was high. Because most of the trail was shaded, it was still a great ride. Definitely not a trail for narrow road tires, but still an excellent surface of crushed stone and hard packed dirt. Plenty of restrooms and stops available. Slightly downhill starting in New Freedom, PA into MD for about 6-7 miles and then a typical rail trail of mostly flat and straight sections. Great scenery of wooded areas. Highly recommend for a relaxing ride in the woods.
Great trail close to my home so I get to ride it as often as I want. I’m looking forward to another leg being completed and hoping it doesn’t take 10 years. I took my 9 year old twin grand sons on it and they love it too.
Definitely an adventure on a bike. Some parts are smooth; others are pretty rugged. Just be prepared for some rocks. 10mph feels like flying.
The southern part is paved and easy to follow. The middle section joins with a state park road, and one siding is deceiving. After leaving the state park road, the trail turns to gravel with frequent mud puddles and electrical boxes. Wouldn’t recommend this section to beginners.
Not much to it. Just paved and easy. The trains do get loud so maybe not the best for small children.
This trail is paved end to end and is incredibly scenic! The trail goes through several small towns along the way and features great views of the river. It is our favorite rail trail in the county. Get out there and experience all this trail has to offer for yourself!
The Enola Low Grade Trail is a great rail trail for biking and walking. Starting from the Turkey Hill end, the first 6 or so miles are super scenic along the river. Once the trail turns inland it is less scenic but still a very nice ride.
It should be noted that once you reach Hollow Rd east of Quarryville (around mile marker 23 or so), the trail is not particularly bike-friendly and the last mile is so overgrown it's not even really hike-friendly.
The trail is marketed as 29.1 miles, but if you're planning on biking, it is about 23 miles.
Echo a lot of other 5 star reviews, this a beautiful fully paved trail worthy of any biker to make the trip to ride. What I didnt expect is that the designers of this trail got just the right amount of curve and undulation to give a rider that feeling of flow. Varied views, plenty of shade, and some trains nearby but not too close, oh and also Marietta is a cool little town... makes a great divert on one leg to find a lunch spot. If only this tied seamlessly to the Enola lowgrade trail... it nearly does via roads!
“Low Grade” is no exaggeration and this is an excellent trail if you’re looking for a long, flat cruise. As others have commented, the scenic highlights are on the western half of the trail so start at Turkey Hill trailhead if that’s what you’re looking for. Portable toilets at maybe half the trailheads. No easy access to stores/conveniences (except Quarryville) so BYO water and nutrition
I have used this trail a few times to commute from the Arlington, VA area into the district. It is convenient but could use a repaving. The paved path is bumpy (It looks like tree roots grew to create the wavy in the path). The first time I rode it I was pulling my dog and the wavy ness of the trail actually broke the bike rack connecting the dog trailer from the bumps. 3 years later from when by rack broke, the path has only gotten more wavy.
This trail is also hilly so you will get a workout. Going from Ballston to DC it was more downhill and rather easy, coming back the hills were somewhat steep. A good workout but not overly difficult.
On a side note: If you are visiting DC, I strongly suggest using the bike trails in DC, around DC, and all the trails in the surrounding areas. Every Smithsonian has bike racks to lock up your bike while visiting the museums. It is a great way to see the monuments, museums, and the mall without miles of walking. Today I first went to Library of Congress (to do some research), then to National African American Museum, and to the Native American Museum. I rode about a mile between the two museums which was much easier than walking.
I just finished a two-day solo tour (Cumberland to Williamsport, Williamsport to DC) and had an incredible experience despite the rain and the tough going over a few stretches. I hear a lot of criticism about the C & O, particularly when compared to the GAP (which I have also done). I appreciate the contrast and hope that the C&O retains its historic character as a more rugged towpath (not a rail trail). That said, the conditions on the east side of Paw Paw and from White’s Ferry to DC were challenging (again, I like the changing surfaces). Highlights: wilderness character, Paw Paw Tunnel, sycamores between Harper’s Ferry and Antietam, Great Falls, Monocacy, Point of Rocks station and the towns.
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