Find the top rated wheelchair accessible trails in Front Royal, whether you're looking for an easy short wheelchair accessible trail or a long wheelchair accessible trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a wheelchair accessible trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_139327_st.jpg)
_214310_st.jpg)
Great trail, no complaints there, but the tree roots are indeed a real problem. Crushed limestone would be far safer. As an experienced long distance traveler with roughly 50 years of experience since my first 100 mile ride, I blithely dismissed reviews citing tree root issues. However, to my great surprise, the vertical 6" tree root bumps in the trail (and yes, I'm talking about passing through Hancock) are so severe that they will...
a) bump my wife completely out of her seat on a recumbent trike, and we kept slowing down further and further, to roughly 8 mph or less.
b) throw my monster battery off the bike despite it being locked down.
c) bend my 20" front rim on my recumbent 2 wheeler and cause a pinch flat with 3 holes in the tube about 1/4" in length, cut right into the tube.
And bear in mind that you CAN'T see them coming. Other riders remarked upon this, and I blithely dismissed that, too.
I could easily envision the unwary rider without a lot of experience, expecting a beautifully paved ride, getting injured.
We rode a 10 mile section of trail north of the Williamsport visitors center. Sunny day, high 60’s. It was the day after a 30 minute rain storm. Trees were in full bloom. Why 2 stars when it could be a 5? The trail needs a good layer of hard packed stone. Any rain will turn many spots into mud, as we encountered. The trail rides along the Potomac River. You could just about see otherwise the trail is under cover. To make it a 5, make sure the trail has dried out and the leaves have not bloomed or the have already dropped. It would sure be a 5.
This is a shady asphalt trail closely paralleling the adjacent gravel C&O canal path. I suppose the trail was paved as a road bike as a differentiator to the C&O path. But it needs repaving. There are not potholes at all, but the tree roots and rock movement have buckled and upheaved the paving in many places, making for some unpleasant surprises - de-chained my bike twice, I ended up with grease fingers from putting it back on. Hard to see the upheavals in the dappled sunlight, so it's quite distracting as you spend time a lot of slow time out of saddle to see and accommodate the crested bumps. The upheavals are not marked, btw. The trail is shady but the trees also conceal the views of the Potomac and mountains, so there is really only a couple of places with remarkable views. The best thing about the trail is its former Western Maryland railroad, so there is history. If it was paved at least it could be taken fast, but the buckled pavement requires a slower run, ok for casual biking but not for avid cyclist doing the length of the trail. The section from Hancock to Little Orleans is far better than Big Pool to Hancock, the latter basically features the loud sound of Interstate 70 which directly parallel. Fort Frederick by Big Pool is nice to visit though. Nearer Little Orleans, Indigo Tunnel on the trail is permanently closed as a bat haven and the reroute is on to the C&O. Which I found actually preferably more smooth than the WM Rail Trail, even on a road bike. All in all this could be a nicer trail, but the state of Maryland needs to invest in repaving and clearing some trees from the trail's shoulders to prevent more of same. Asphalt trails need more maintenance than cinders trails, pavement always degrades not necessarily just potholes, and this trail is an example of what happens when repaving or maintenance does not happen. It rates "ok" in my book, glad I did it but not one I would repeat on a road bike until they clean it up.
Too many road cyclists going way too fast! This is a trail not a road. So watch out if you want to leisurely ride your bike on this trail because they are flying by.
I've ridden the WMRT a few times, but in the last year or so root growth has undermined the asphalt paving on most of the 28 mile trail length. The trail is in poor condition at best and a unsuspecting biker could be thrown from their bike by hitting one of these raised asphalt root growth locations. The trail needs to have all of these bump areas ground flush or resurface the entire trail. I drove from Columbia, Md out to Hancock and was disappointed in the trail.
This is a paved hilly trail next to route 9. Super convenient for everyone that lives in Berkeley or Jefferson county
There’s a really nicely developed parking area with facilities and a full museum of the C & O canal in Williamsport, Just south of Hagerstown. The trail is fairly wide and well maintained . However, it is secluded and sparsely populated so if you’re not comfortable with that take note.
For scenic views and a step back in time this trail is a must. It's muddy, especially right after rain. We avoid our e-bike on this trail due to the mud, but it's mainly flat. Paw paw tunnel is a must see, but it's nothing out there along the way. Harpers Ferry is gorgeous and historic. Bring your Bug Guard you'll need it. And your swim tube.
There is no bike access to West Virginia from Maryland on the bridge yet. I hate leaving my bike in Maryland and walking all the way to West Virginia. It stinks.
Surprised to see this amazing trail that has great bed and breakfasts along it is not noted as part of the Great American Rail Trail. It sure would help demonstrate more GART completion if it was.
I just returned from my third ride on the Western MD. I've ridden the entire trail and it's great to get in a half century ride. Starting from Little Orleans one can ride west a short distance to a gate at a high bridge over the Potomac River. West Virginia has not completed any of the proposed section to the west. Riding back east after a short distance you reach the blocked off Indigo Tunnel. The tunnel is blocked due to endangered bats. A zig-zag ramp leads down to the C&O Towpath. You ride the towpath about 2.5 miles and take a similar zig-zag ramp back up to the Western MD. Except for this detour the entire route is paved asphalt. There are areas of either frost or root heaves but not too bad. When the leaves are off there are nice views of the C&O Towpath, the canal and the Potomac. Most of the path is in the woods with a few fields here and there. At times the trail runs along a high, narrow path pretty high above the river. There are historical markers, some benches and a small shelter or two. The first, and only town on the trail is Hancock, MD. It is about half way between the endpoints. There are the regular amenities not far off trail such as a few fast food joints and a Sheetz. The top attraction for trail eats is Buddy Lou's right on the trail and at a cross-over to the C&O. Needless to say it gets busy in the summer. Buddy Lou's isn't open every day however so plan accordingly. There is also a bike shop in town right by the trail. After Hancock its a fairly straight run to the end at Big Pool. Some this section is close to I70 and some very close (less than 20 ft) so there can be a bit of traffic noise. This is my least favorite part and would probably rate the trail at 4.5 stars if I could. At Big Pool there is a parking area plus some benches, a restroom and a bike repair station. It's a nice place for a lunch break if you're doing a round trip. All together I can wholeheartedly recommend the Western MD. We have even used it as the half of a loop with the other half on the C&O.
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
Map Search
