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Maryland Cross Country Skiing Trails and Maps

810 Reviews

Looking for the best Cross Country Skiing trails around Maryland?

Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Maryland, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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City Trails and Maps in Maryland

Accordion

Hillcrest Heights, MD

Montgomery Village, MD

Anacostia River Trail

2.6 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Baltimore and Annapolis Trail

13 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Capital Crescent Trail

11 mi

State: DC, MD

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

184.5 mi

State: DC, MD

Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Great Allegheny Passage

150 mi

State: MD, PA

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Great American Rail-Trail

3743.9 mi

State: DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park

2.5 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

H & F Trolley Trail

0.72 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Indian Head Rail Trail

13.4 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Lake Artemesia Trail

1.35 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail

2.5 mi

State: MD

Crushed Stone

Patuxent Branch Trail

4.6 mi

State: MD

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Savage Mill Trail

1 mi

State: MD

Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

Sligo Creek Trail

10.2 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Stony Run Trail

2.9 mi

State: MD

Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Woodchips

Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

19.5 mi

State: MD

Crushed Stone, Dirt

WB&A Trail

13.1 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Western Maryland Rail Trail

26.8 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail

3.3 mi

State: MD, VA

Concrete

Accordion

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Anacostia River Trail The Anacostia River Trail begins in Cottage City, Maryland, at the split of the Anacostia River into its northeast and northwest branches. Those traveling south on either the Northeast Branch Trail or...	MD	2.6 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
	Baltimore and Annapolis Trail If you are looking to augment your physical workout with some intellectual exercise, look no further than the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail. The scenic, paved, 13-mile community trail is brimming with...	MD	13 mi	Asphalt	34 reviews
	Capital Crescent Trail The 11-mile Capital Crescent Trail follows the former route of the Georgetown Branch rail line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It begins in Silver Spring, Maryland, east of the Rock Creek Trestle,...	DC, MD	11 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	16 reviews
	Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Following the Potomac River, the C&O Canal Towpath traverses the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park for 184.5 miles between Georgetown in Washington, D.C., and Cumberland, Maryland. For...	DC, MD	184.5 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel	70 reviews
	Great Allegheny Passage The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is an iconic rail-trail that runs 150 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was built in partnership between state agencies and many local...	MD, PA	150 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel	129 reviews
	Great American Rail-Trail The Great American Rail-Trail highlights some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, well-known geography and storied history across a 3,700-miles-plus route between Washington and Washington....	DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY	3743.9 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone	0 reviews
	Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park Notice: As of July 2018, the western portion of the Grist Mill Trail is closed through spring 2019 for removal of the Bloede Dam. The eastern 1.5 miles of the trail remains open for all uses. See...	MD	2.5 mi	Asphalt	8 reviews
	H & F Trolley Trail Sitting on the corner of East Main Street and Alley 5 in Thurmont is a green and white one-story building. Murals decorate its walls, depicting the history of the famous Hagerstown and Frederick...	MD	0.72 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
	Indian Head Rail Trail Located just 18 miles south of our nation's capital, the Indian Head Rail Trail offers a unique natural outdoor experience, seemingly far removed from urban development and its associated chaotic...	MD	13.4 mi	Asphalt	68 reviews
	Lake Artemesia Trail The Lake Artemesia Trailone component of the larger Anacostia Tributary Trail Systemcompletely encircles its scenic eponymous lake in Prince George's County, Maryland. The trail is also a great...	MD	1.35 mi	Asphalt	2 reviews
	Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail Maryland's Susquehanna State Park is recognized for challenging hiking and biking trails, camping facilities, rock outcroppings, boating, a museum and restored historical sites. But none of these...	MD	2.5 mi	Crushed Stone	10 reviews
	Patuxent Branch Trail The Patuxent Branch Trail is part of a 20-mile trail system over and around the rolling hills of Howard County that follows a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line along the Patuxent River. The...	MD	4.6 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone	17 reviews
	Savage Mill Trail The Savage Mill Trail in Savage Park travels along the rolling Patuxent River through the grounds of an old cotton mill. In the early 1800s, Savage was a major manufacturing center, harnessing power...	MD	1 mi	Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel	4 reviews
	Sligo Creek Trail The Sligo Creek Trail parallels the eponymous waterway from its confluence with the Northwest Branch in Hyattsville to just north of its origin in Wheaton in Montgomery County. Along the way, a number...	MD	10.2 mi	Asphalt	10 reviews
	Stony Run Trail Baltimore’s Stony Run Trail follows an old Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad line through nearly 3 miles of wooded stream valleys and small parks, providing a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle...	MD	2.9 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Woodchips	3 reviews
	Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail is one of the best hiking and biking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region. It allows for nearly 20 miles of flat travel, punctuated by a number of access points and an...	MD	19.5 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt	72 reviews
	WB&A Trail Central Maryland's WB&A Trail occupies the former Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railway corridor—hence its name—for its entire route. The railroad operated electric commuter trains...	MD	13.1 mi	Asphalt	27 reviews
	Western Maryland Rail Trail Plan a full day (or two) for your visit to the Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT), a 26-mile paved route that will take you through several eras of American history. You can access this trail from...	MD	26.8 mi	Asphalt	74 reviews
	Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail provides a superb link between Alexandria, VA, and Maryland's National Harbor over the Potomac River. This well-used trail crosses on the up-river side of the bridge...	MD, VA	3.3 mi	Concrete	13 reviews

Accordion

Recent Trail Reviews

Western Maryland Rail Trail

great ride

August, 2019 by llmoyers

It’s definitely a 5, but the mile marker is only up to 23. I enjoyed it very much. Especially viewing the mountains and going through them.

Baltimore and Annapolis Trail

nice ride...pick your pace

August, 2019 by spicher113

I got on the trail after starting at the airport overlook. From there I went 7.5 miles out and back. Not ready yet for the full length. Only drawback is that there are many street crossings where you need to stop. Very well maintained and cert well marked.

MacArthur Boulevard Bike Path

Runners Welcome

August, 2019 by dvxprime

Is there an actual bike path? Yes, complete with posted signs and symbols (albeit faded) along the path. Does it run parallel to MacArthur Blvd? Yes, although the bike path runs out at the Exxon just before you reach the Pallisades in D.C. However, whether it is OFFICIALLY named the MacArthur Boulevard Bike Path I will leave up to the general public. Also, the actual eight mile distance strecthes from the Old Angler's Inn in Potomac, MD, to somewhere between Norton and Norfolk Streets in the Pallisades.

If you are running at dusk or pre-dawn when starting at the Inn, I strongly recommend some sort of personal lighting. The first canopy made the path DARK. Not even the light of a full moon made it through the trees. The path does have some gradual climbs and declines going both ways; you'll see more climbs starting from the Inn and more declines when you run from the Pallisades. The bike path is well worn, and you'll have to watch for tree detritus in some of the more wooded areas, but it's still in decent shape. Lastly, no mile markers of any kind. One-mile mark is at the tuen onto Clara Barton Parkway, four mile just before Cabin John Park, five mile at the Exxon station.

The Bike Path runs along MacArthur Blvd, which is a substantially wooded residential area. There is a public restroom across the road from the Inn; it was open when I finished my run, but I don't know if/when it actually is open. There are also port-a-Johns at Cabin John Park (thank you, God!), and two Exxon stations along the route (neither were open on Sunday morning, and no guarantees when they are).

Overall the course is a good place to pace yourself. The gradual climbs will tempt you into going too fast, and the declines will let you open your strides if you want to push for those negative splits. There is one big uphill/downhill in the vicinity of the Little Falls Stream Valley Park area that you need to watch out for, especially if taking it downhill. The cyclists don't start to populate the Bile Path until 7:15~7:30 a.m. on Sundays, and they are courteous to non-cyclists.

My early Sunday morning run on MacArthur Blvd was a noteworthy experience. yes, this is a Bike Path, but runners are encouraged to give it a try.

Accordion

Indian Head Rail Trail

excellent trail

August, 2019 by sixela72

Nice flat trail, good for families with wildlife and decent shade. There is one tricky place to cross a busy road. Otherwise perfect.

Carl Henn Millennium Trail

Sometimes Confusing Routing

August, 2019 by rickerw1

Trail conditions are great, but the route signage is erratic and confusing. The paved trail is broken up way too much by traffic intersections, some of which are really dangerous. Wouldn't take time to ride it again.

Great Allegheny Passage

This is the 4th we section of the GAP trail we've done. This time we started in Garret MD and rode to the continental divide. great ride. slight grade going to the divide but nice ride headed back. trail very well maintained..

August, 2019 by bpatch

This is the 4th we section of the GAP trail we've done. This time we started in Garret MD and rode to the continental divide. great ride. slight grade going to the divide but nice ride headed back. trail very well maintained..

Great Allegheny Passage

Bucket List

July, 2019 by ahaus

A definite on your bucket list! We rode the GAP/C&O from Pittsburgh to Georgetown. If you aren't a camper, the C&O requires thought and planning on where to stay. Riding both gives you a great perspective on different trails. When on the C&O, make sure you jump over to the Western Maryland Rail Trail for 22 miles, beautiful trail and a nice break from ruts and sticks (and turtles). Rode in late July, not many puddles.

Capital Crescent Trail

ROAD BIKE RIDER

July, 2019 by inga.blazio

I rode this trail from Oxon Hill Maryland through the Mt. Vernon Trail into Georgetown and it is a beautiful ride this morning. I road 30 miles that included this trail which is so so beautiful. Next week I am planning to ride all the way to Bethesda Maryland. I stopped at the sign that said welcome to Montgomery County and was told if I went 4 more miles I would have been in Bethesda.

Bethesda Trolley Trail

Pretty but narrow

July, 2019 by jacob.wolfgang.ward

Nice trail and is a fast and short connection between Bethesda and Rockville, but is heavily trafficked and narrow.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

great trail needs maintenance badly in areas

July, 2019 by deborah.addy_tl

Rode the entire length a couple of times. Last time in June 2019. The first 10 miles out of Cumberland are terrible. If it has rained recently you will get muddy. When we went through it looked like they hadn't even mowed sections of it in a year. After that the trail had some rough patches but was ride-able. I would definitely not ride a rode bike on this trail, especially not with road tires. You need a bike with some suspension and some grip through this area. The Paw Paw tunnel was open when we went through, very interesting. Very rough and narrow inside the tunnel.
Don't know what you do if you meet a bicyclist coming the opposite direction inside the tunnel. Between Harper's Ferry and Brunswick they have resurfaced the trail and it was great. They need to put a ramp on the bridge to Harper's Ferry. We skip it as we don't want to leave our bikes behind and we aren't carrying fully loaded bikes up the spiral staircase. Fort Fredrick is an interesting side trip. The only reason the trail gets as a high a rating as I gave it is that there are free campsites all along the trail and historical markers. A lot of the campsites are by the Potomac river. They are very rustic just a picnic table, fire ring and Porta John. Sometimes there is a working water pump, sometime there isn't. I would suggest carrying a water filter, the water from the pumps is usually orange with iodine. They are usually quiet except for the occasional train. Along this trail you really can't get away from the occasional train. Also, bring bug spray in the summer if you are camping. You really don't need sunscreen, very seldom are you out from under the trees. There are huge trees all along the path.

Great Allegheny Passage

Great Trail for bike packing

July, 2019 by deborah.addy_tl

We rode the trail with camping gear and stayed at many of the free trail camping locations. I wish there were more of them especially near the southern end of the trail. There you have to pay for camping but it isn't much and the places are very nice. The trail is beautiful and shaded once you get south of McKeesport, North of that you go through a lot of urban and industrial area. It gets a little difficult to follow the trail through Pittsburgh near downtown. The area between Connelsville and Ohiopyle is probably the most scenic but I would suggest doing it early in the morning and on a weekday. It can get pretty busy on a weekend. The ride down the mountain into Cumberland is great if you are southbound. The ride up the mountain is strenuous if you are northbound. We have done it both ways. Cumberland has a great downtown area.