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I kept hearing how beautiful this "trail" was. Most of the "trail" was city streets even before you get in to Baltimore. It was also poorly marked. Keep a GPS handy, or just give up on the trail and ride through whatever Baltimore streets you feel like riding.
It does take you past the Baltimore Zoo which was nice. It also takes you right in to Inner Harbor which is also a good place to hang out for a bit.
Stretching for more than 2 miles across Chestertown on MD's Eastern Shore, the Wayne Gilchrest Trail is a scenic greenway that has the potential to connect to more communities.
Like many town-based trails, the paved, multi-use path allows residents to walk or bike between communities with minimal street crossings. It links Washington College with the north and south sides of town and the southern terminus along Cross Street is just a short distance from the waterfront at Wilmer Park as well as the historic downtown. Also notable is a spur of the trail that branches from the main path on the grounds of an office building and parallels High Street, connecting to the northwest side of town and ending at the former Radcliffe Mill, which has been restored and now houses a restaurant and microbrewery.
The trail also serves as an outdoor museum of sorts and features several sculptures and murals along the route, while the old train station, vintage passenger coaches and caboose at the southern end off Cross Street are a testimony to the rail line that used to run here.
Last, but not least, the lush vegetation that lines most of the trail's route provides a serene atmosphere and is a great place to observe local wildlife. The section from Mill Street south to Cross Street forms a greenbelt between residential communities and the Lawrence Preserve nature area, whose wetlands can be further explored through a network of paths extending from the trail. The ravine that forms the trail's route through the Washington College campus and the embankment on the portion north of Morgnec Road are also notable for their beauty and serenity.
My only caveats with this premier small town trail are the busy crossings on Morgnec Road and High Street, though flashing signal lights that warn motorists when trail users are crossing reduce the danger to a degree and the lack of any direct connection to Washington College. It would also be nice if a separate connector path or sidewalk could be built along Morgnec Road that would link the NW Spur of the trail with the main route on the north side of town so that trail users don't have to use the shoulder of that busy road.
Although currently confined to Chestertown, local officials are exploring plans to extend the Wayne Gilchrest Trail further north along the old RR towards Worton, forming part of a bigger network of greenways on the Eastern Shore.
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.
The trail is 100% paved and takes you along the Anacostia River. I like that this trail has a good mix of city elements and natural beauty. The Kenilworth aquatic gardens are a wonderful stop early in the trail, you get to see a lot of swamp flowers. Later, closer to Dc you are taken up to the Fredrick Douglas memorial bridge. The large white arches of the bridge are breathtaking. There are many places to eat diner once you make it to Dc. I stopped at Gordon Ramseys fish and chips. Great trail!
Starts at a dam and has some hills. It is not bike/stroller friendly. Hiking boots are better. Sneaker can be a challenge especially after rain. Dumps off into a neighborhood and you pick it back up. About a 4 mile loop.
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.
My son and I rode the C&O the first week of June '25 as part of a ride from Pittsburgh to Washington DC.
I am going to preface this review making it clear that it was an unusually wet Spring and significant damage has occurred due to flooding. Kudos to the efforts to repair the damage and keep the trail open. There were numerous detours off of the trail but it was open and passable. However, had I not taken this into consideration, and had not just completed the GAP as a comparison, I would have rated the trail 2 stars.
Here are my key issues rated from most, to least, significant:
1) The terminus of the trail in Georgetown is inaccessible due to construction. We rode 334 miles in 5 days to unceremoniously end our accomplishment carrying our bikes up a series of stairs, only to encounter detour signs that literally pointed in all four directions. After a half hour walking through urine-laden alleys searching for mile 0, a bicycle cop told us that we were as close as we could get. Our victory picture was taken next to a detour sign, each of us providing a middle-finger salute.
2) The trail surface through the Paw Paw tunnel can only be described as interconnecting pot holes filled with 6" of water. Had there not been other traffic in the tunnel, it may have been rideable. Just accept that you will get the opportunity to stretch your legs for a half-mile walk in the dark. Your shoes will eventually drain and dry by the time you arrive in DC.
3) For 15-20 miles south of the Paw Paw tunnel the trail is unmaintained. The riding surface is basically sunken truck tire tracks, separated by a hump of uncut weeds. The tracks themselves were devoid of any gravel which ensured that you were riding in either water or mud. The weeds on both sides of the trail had yet to be trimmed and had encroached into the tracks. The good news is that we were concentrating so hard on keeping our bikes upright in the slop, we didn't have time to think about the ticks. Anyone who has hiked the Adirondack high peaks knows exactly what I am describing.
4) Most of the trail repairs have been made with loose, coarse, crushed stone. I was fortunate to be riding a mountain bike with 2" tires at 60psi. My son was riding a gravel bike with 40mm tires which mean he was riding sideways much of the time. He ended up riding a combined total of 400 miles considering the lateral component of his travel.
5) Where washouts had yet to be filled with the previously mentioned stone, you have to cross crevices 6-8 inches deep. Not such a big problem if you were travelling slow enough to identify them before jamming your arms through your shoulders and ramming your saddle through the softer tissues of your rear end.
6) Having camped in Assateague for half my life, I thought that I knew aggressive mosquitoes. However, since the trail is totally devoid of any breeze, the stabbing critters locate you as soon as your bike comes to a halt. The good news is that we saved time taking breaks.
I will be posting a 5-star review for the GAP next. If you average the two scores together, the total trail experience was a 4. That still makes the ride from the 'Burgh to DC worthwhile. Just be prepared for the unexpected challenges.
Billie and I rode the trail (some of it) on June 3rd for the first time. Headed South we got to the blockades at main St. I heard commotion under the overpass. I went and talked to the workers. They told me to ride through as the trail is open, but the horses were not removed but will be shortly. We are riding another section today. This by far, is one of the most interesting and beautiful trails we have been on.
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.
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