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Maryland Mountain Biking Trails and Maps

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Looking for the best Mountain Biking trails around Maryland?

Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Maryland, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking 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

Catonsville Short Line Trail

1.4 mi

State: MD

Dirt, Gravel

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

184.2 mi

State: DC, MD

Brick, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Cross Island Trail

9.13 mi

State: MD

Asphalt, Boardwalk

Great Allegheny Passage

153.22 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

Lake Artemesia Trail

1.35 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Lake Frank Trail

1.8 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Mount Airy Rails to Trails

1 mi

State: MD

Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Northeast Branch Trail, Lake Artemesia Trail, and Paint Branch Trail

8.3 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Patuxent Branch Trail

4.35 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Powerline Trail (MD)

6 mi

State: MD

Dirt, Grass

Western Maryland Rail Trail

27.5 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Savage Mill Trail

1.2 mi

State: MD

Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

St. Mary's River State Park

7.5 mi

State: MD

Dirt

Stony Run Trail

2.9 mi

State: MD

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

John Overstreet Connector

1.5 mi

State: MD

Asphalt

Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail

2.5 mi

State: MD

Crushed Stone

Point Lookout Railroad Trail

1 mi

State: MD

Dirt, Grass

Accordion

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Catonsville Short Line Trail The Catonsville Short Line Trail follows a segment of the former Catonsville Short Line Railroad, which ran from Charlestown to Catonsville. As of 2018, the trail runs between Shady Nook Avenue and...	MD	1.4 mi	Dirt, Gravel	2 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 184.2 miles between Cumberland, Maryland, and the Georgetown neighborhood in...	DC, MD	184.2 mi	Brick, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt	105 reviews
	Cross Island Trail Overview Explore the best of the Eastern Shore of Maryland on Queen Anne’s County’s Cross Island Trail, which runs the width of Kent Island for 9.3 miles, stretching between two nature...	MD	9.13 mi	Asphalt, Boardwalk	40 reviews
	Great Allegheny Passage Notice: There are a couple detours along the long GAP route. For all trail notices, see GAP website for more current information. Ever since the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) was completed in 2013,...	MD, PA	153.22 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel	175 reviews
	Great American Rail-Trail Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...	DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY	3743.9 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone	9 reviews
	Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park Overview The Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park runs along the Patapsco River for 2.5 miles between Ilchester Road and Lost Lake. The heavily wooded paved trail passes by various...	MD	2.5 mi	Asphalt	14 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	3 reviews
	Lake Frank Trail Lake Frank is a 54-acre reservoir located in the heart of Rock Creek Regional Park in Derwood, east of Rockville. The reservoir, together with Lake Needwood was created for flood control and was named...	MD	1.8 mi	Asphalt	3 reviews
	Mount Airy Rails to Trails Mount Airy Rails to Trails (R2T) is currently 1 mile long split into two unconnected half-mile sections. Following a former railroad corridor, it will one day span nearly 4 miles across the Town of...	MD	1 mi	Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Gravel	3 reviews
	Northeast Branch Trail, Lake Artemesia Trail, and Paint Branch Trail The Northeast Branch Trail, Lake Artemesia Trail, and Paint Branch Trail combine to form an 8.3-mile segment of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System in Prince George’s County. Connecting in the south...	MD	8.3 mi	Asphalt	6 reviews
	Patuxent Branch Trail Whether by wheel or foot, many off-road trips in southern Howard County involve the Patuxent Branch Trail. Opened in 1997, the 4.5-mile regional trail connects to an extensive network of local trails...	MD	4.35 mi	Asphalt	23 reviews
	Powerline Trail (MD) This trail traces a hilly green swath located in a Pepco electric utility right-of-way that stretches between South Gernmantown Recreational Park and Muddy Branch Stream Valley Park. It's a natural...	MD	6 mi	Dirt, Grass	1 reviews
	Western Maryland Rail Trail Hugging the picturesque Potomac River and the C&O Canal Towpath, the Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) rolls for nearly 28 miles through Maryland’s narrow panhandle wedged between Pennsylvania and...	MD	27.5 mi	Asphalt	96 reviews
	Savage Mill Trail Only a mile long, the Savage Mill Trail rolls through a significant piece of Howard County’s industrial heritage as it crosses the grounds of an old textile mill complex on the Little Patuxent River....	MD	1.2 mi	Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel	6 reviews
	St. Mary's River State Park Nestled amongst the trees of St. Mary's River State Park, trail-goers will find an 8-mile path that loops around St. Mary's Lake, offering beautiful natural scenery and the chance to catch a glimpse...	MD	7.5 mi	Dirt	7 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	5 reviews
	John Overstreet Connector The John Overstreet Connector is a 1.5-mile trail segment that links the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail and BWI Trail. The shortbut vitaltrail is named after Overstreet, a retiree from Glen Burnie,...	MD	1.5 mi	Asphalt	1 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	12 reviews
	Point Lookout Railroad Trail The Point Lookout Railroad Trail (also called Periwinkle Point Nature Trail) follows a corridor that was cleared in the early 1800s for a planned railroad line connecting Point Lookout, Maryland, to...	MD	1 mi	Dirt, Grass	0 reviews

Accordion

Recent Trail Reviews

Great Allegheny Passage

Riding on this was a bucket list trail. Had hoped to ride further on it but had time restraints. Great trail. The rest stop in Meyersdale is wonderful. Plan someday to return and ride more of it.

June, 2025 by kjw979

Riding on this was a bucket list trail. Had hoped to ride further on it but had time restraints. Great trail. The rest stop in Meyersdale is wonderful. Plan someday to return and ride more of it.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Simply spectacular

June, 2025 by ethantabor

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.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

A Disappointment

June, 2025 by redebski

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.

Accordion

Paint Branch Trail (Prince George's County)

Good Trail except for Mud Pit

June, 2025 by dtread

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.

B&A Trail

Smooth ride and well-infrastructured

May, 2025 by tnbpptw5x7

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.

WB&A Trail

Great Ride

May, 2025 by jackkboy

I just rode 28 miles round trip today (May 30, 2025) on the WB&A Trail and it was great!

Contrary to the narrative in the description, the bridge over the Patuxent River is now open.

Started in Odenton and parked on Railroad Ave just North of the trail entrance and rode all the way to Annapolis Road (Rt 450).

Lots of bikers and pedestrians out on the trail today.
Great day to ride!

WB&A Trail

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.

May, 2025 by hughes29187

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.

Gwynns Falls Trail

Fun ride; sketchy in eastern half

May, 2025 by tnbpptw5x7

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.

413 Rail to Trail

Nice trail. Parking at either end of the trail. 1 port-a-potty at the trailheads. All asphalt & level just watch for upheavals in the trail in a couple of different places.

May, 2025 by debkalnins

Nice trail. Parking at either end of the trail. 1 port-a-potty at the trailheads. All asphalt & level just watch for upheavals in the trail in a couple of different places.

Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

beautiful scenery and well taken care of

May, 2025 by chellyney

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.

Great Allegheny Passage

well maintained, pretty area

April, 2025 by astroman

PA-Cumberland 5/2023. Loved this trail with lots of places to camp, a winding and entertaining trail, views of the river, tunnels, small towns along the way. I particularly liked Frostburg and camped two nights. The switchbacks up to town aren't as miserable as some describe and the view is rewarding. The Toasted Goat in Hotel Gunter is an old hotel worth a walk around and a meal. Check out the basement holding cell and speakeasy.

Gwynns Falls Trail

Decidedly mixed experience, probably won't repeat

April, 2025 by julie.lundquist

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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