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Print Friendly MapThe 2.5-mile Herring Run Trail is a neighborhood gem that runs through Herring Run Park, a scenic 375-acre stream-valley oasis in Northeast Baltimore. This loop trail, bordered by Harford Road to the west and Sinclair Lane to the east, gives residents ample opportunities to walk, run, bike, or enjoy nature right in their backyard. The trail runs parallel to Her-ring Run, which meanders through the park. Multiple side hiking trails are also available in the park between Harford Road and Belair Road.
One of the city’s three major trails, the Herring Run Trail is a corner-stone of the developing Baltimore Greenway Trails Network, a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy TrailNation project to create a 35-mile network of trails that will connect more than 75 neighborhoods in Baltimore City.
A good place to access the trail is on the western side of the park at Harford Road and Chesterfield Avenue, where street parking is available. This busy section of the park provides areas for recreation and relaxation, with picnic tables, ball fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, and multiple views of the stream from pedestrian bridges that cross over Herring Run.
The northwestern endpoint sits just south of the northeast end of Lake Montebello, another popular recreation attraction for students and families. Located adjacent to Herring Run Park to the southeast and Morgan State University to the north, the scenic reservoir is encircled by a 2.5-mile shared-use path and roadway that is a haven for walkers, runners, and bikers. Users can access the Herring Run Trail from Lake Montebello via a trail crossing over Harford Road at Chesterfield Avenue.
Just past Harford Road, the Herring Run Trail splits into two sections—flanked by trees and neighborhoods—that travel southeast on either side of the stream and then reconnect at Sinclair Lane between Shannon Drive and Parkside Drive. Trail users can access the eastern side of the park here, where street parking is available.
Recreational amenities are available along the western sections of trail, including playgrounds at Brehms Lane and Chesterfield Avenue on the southwest leg, and at the intersection of Parkside Drive and Roberton Avenue on the northeast side. Football fields are dispersed throughout and are often the site of local Little League games.
A lesser-known section of the park, referred to as Lower Herring Run Park, extends for 0.5 mile past Sinclair Lane into the Armistead Gardens neighborhood. This portion of the park—whose undulating landscape reflects its former life as a city landfill—is largely unmanaged and consists mostly of unpaved dirt trails. Please note that while the rest of Herring Run Trail and the park are ADA-accessible, this lower portion is not.
A forested treasure in the middle of an urban setting, the Herring Run Trail presents a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the natural world and spot local wildlife, including the many foxes, deer, beavers, great blue herons, hawks, and other fowl that call the park home.
Although there are no designated parking lots for the trail, street parking around Herring Run Park can be found along Chesterfield Ave, Shannon Dr, and Parkside Dr. Limited street parking can also be found along Easterwood Dr.
Parked at the st francis school along the street one Sunday afternoon. Soccer day so parking was limited. Noted the lake nearby, across the street and was pleased to see a walking, biking and car (no cars allowed) path going around the lake for 1.5mi. Nice warm up. All sun, no shade, nice mix of bikers joggers walkers. But not too crowded. Returned to the head of the herring trail -far side of the soccer fields, immediately descends and hooks right. Hard right and you ride along the soccer fields and the right side of the creek. Left, you go over a small wooden bridge, and are on the left side of the creek. Average sized path, tight/blind corners at first but then is open enough to see in oncoming foot/bike traffic. Two major street crossings and a handful of minor one, it’s a fairly olead r 2.5 ni all paved mainly flat path that’s a loop
Nice trail
Enjoyed the bike ride clean and serene trail
This is mostly a paved path that is quite level and easy to follow. It meanders along Herring run, a beautiful setting. It took two hours to complete the entire 5 mile loop trail.
Trail needs some serious maintenance. Down trees blocking trail. Untended to vegetation that causes you to tuck, bob, and weave. Trail needs some serious maintenance before another review is possible.
This is a pleasant escape from the city, largely running along the creek and through woods, but occasionally popping out and paralleling residential neighborhoods. There are also hiking paths off the trail.
I love that it's a full loop (no backtracking!). It's well-maintained and quite flat, so it would be appropriate for all abilities. The southeasternmost extension (behind brewery and post office) is not as well maintained.
The northwest end of the trail (off Harford Road) is about a block from Lake Montebello, which has bike lanes running around the lake (and, as of May 2020, the roads around the lake are temporarily closed to cars). So Herring Run + Lake Montebello forms a pleasant, no-backtracking, extended loop. Also, as of May 2020, Harford Road is under major reconstruction, so finding the entrance to the trail from the Lake Montebello end is a little tricky (there's a temporary path carved out that's quite rugged and may create accessibility issues for those with limited mobility).
I ride this trail on a regular since I can bike from my house. Nice shredded areas. The section behind post office is not maintained as well as others. There are many deer on this trail. For me in the distance its fine but to actually be on the path is a bit too much for me personally. It's been getting more and more populated with deer the past few months. Peaceful ride though.
An enjoyable ride in the city. The path led through a wooded area where a deer walked right in front of me. Neat that it was so close to our house on Rueckert.
I enjoyed the ride. Started with a lap around Lake Montebello and picked up the trail by crossing the street (Hartford Rd). We have hybrid bikes and wouldn't recommend riding with anything else. Would definitely do it again however trail maintenance appears to be an issue. The last portion of the trail (behind the post office/industrial type area) was littered with a significant amount of broken glass.
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