Explore the best rated trails in Union Bridge, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Elizabethtown Connector Trail and Anacostia River Trail . With more than 105 trails covering 4663 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.
Paint Branch Trail is good with one fatal flaw. Just west of Lake Artemesia there is a railroad underpass that develops a large mud pit after rainfall. Most of the time I've used this trail it has not been an issue, but I recently rode it after a rainfall and there was a mud pit approximately 25 feet long, with mud 2-3 inches deep, with no way around. Very unsafe and very irritating.
The trail is paved and easy to ride, and the water fountains that line the trail actually work! Great for beginners and experienced riders. Well-populated but not overcrowded.
Well maintained and shady in the summer. Pastoral views
Well maintained and shady in the summer. Pastoral views
There is no access in Atglen, and no apparent trail. We drove further west to Bart Township along Route 896 parking at the Evergreen Hardware Store. There is a switchback down to the trail. For about two miles in each direction the trail is nice stone dust, but after that, at mile 23.5 turns into the transmission right of way with just a lane, which is okay to ride towards Quarryville. Going east, you can go to about mile marker 26.5 again with a mile or so in stone dust, but getting to Scarborough Twp it is the transmission right of way - just two single lanes, rideable until you get to yellow gates, unpassable unless you walk your bike down and up inclines. Can't say what's from there to AtGlen - it is high grass and TX right of way at best. If you can, drive down to Quarryville - a very nice trail from there west to Turkey Hill.
The bridge is open and you're able to ride the full length of the trail. Great nature viewing throughout the ride. Surprisingly, over 1000 ft of elevation gain.
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.
The overpass at mile marker 11.5 in Seven Valleys over PA Rt 214 is closed and Northbound trail users must descend an embankment next to the Four Springs Winery and ride through town to Church St to pick up the trail again. Southbound riders follow the same detour in reverse.
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.
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