Looking for the best trails around Ellicott City?

Explore the best rated trails in Ellicott City, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Anacostia River Trail and Meadowlark Connector Trail . With more than 124 trails covering 4686 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Best Trails in Ellicott City

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Showing 9 of 124
14 Reviews
Anacostia River Trail

Winding along its namesake river, from Maryland into southeast D.C., the Anacostia River Trail (also known as the Anacostia Riverwalk...

Length: 21.5 mi
State: DC, MD
Surface: Asphalt, Boardwalk, Brick, Concrete
2 Reviews
Anacostia Tributary Trail System

The 29.9-mile Anacostia Tributary Trail System includes a number of trails linked together and managed by the National Park Service. About...

Length: 29.9 mi
State: MD
Surface: Asphalt
2 Reviews
Arlington Loop

The Arlington Loop is composed of four local trails—the Mount Vernon Trail, the Custis Trail, the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD),

Length: 16 mi
State: VA
Surface: Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
59 Reviews
B&A Trail

The paved 13-mile B&A Trail connects the Chesapeake Bay cities of Baltimore and Annapolis. Along with extensive historical markers, this...

Length: 13.3 mi
State: MD
Surface: Asphalt
60 Reviews
BWI Trail

The only trail in the U.S. fully encircling an international airport, the BWI Trail, also known as the BWI Hiker-Biker Trail, hosts...

Length: 12.4 mi
State: MD
Surface: Asphalt, Boardwalk
1 Review
Ballenger Creek Linear Trail

The Ballenger creek Linear Trail is a 4.2 mile greenway in Frederick County Maryland. Constructed by both local developers and the county...

Length: 4.2 mi
State: MD
Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
0 Reviews
Beach Drive (Rock Creek Park)

Enjoy the natural beauty of our Nation's Capital by exploring Rock Creek Park via pedestrian-only roads! Winding through Rock Creek Park in...

Length: 5 mi
State: DC
Surface: Asphalt
8 Reviews
Bethesda Trolley Trail

The Bethesda Trolley Trail—also known as the North Bethesda Trail—is a 3.5-mile path linking Bethesda and North Bethesda, primarily by...

Length: 5.4 mi
State: MD
Surface: Asphalt
1 Review
Beulah Street Sidepath

Running parallel to Beulah Street from Franconia to Fort Belvoir in southeast Fairfax County, the paved Beulah Street Sidepath provides a...

Length: 3.25 mi
State: VA
Surface: Asphalt, Concrete

Recent Trail Reviews

Rock Creek Trail (MD)

Bumpy ride

August, 2025 by heykimbers

We started at Lake Needwood which had great parking. The trail is not well maintained. It is bumpy most of the way south. It looks like there has been some attempt to patch the asphalt but the transitions were not smoothed out so many jarring bumps. Also tree roots have pushed up the trail which is not unusual but given all the other bumps it was annoying. Also be aware that from Lake Needwood - it is downhill so if you are returning to the same spot, you will have an uphill climb which is not too bad.

Heritage Rail Trail County Park

Great For Kids

August, 2025 by rkoppy

We Loved this trail. We got on at the Brillhart Road Parking lot went down the trail through the Howard tunnel, all the way down to the Hanover Junction. It was pretty much all in the shade. There were sections with very low grade ups and downs but the grade was so low you couldn’t see the hills visually, you just felt the difference in your legs. There was also minimal street crossings and they were all super small back roads with minimal traffic, which was great for my kids.

Enola Low Grade Trail

Superb flat Trail with amazing views of the Susquehanna River

August, 2025 by paulruns7777

This was the second time I visited this trail. But the change in parking location from Quarryville the first time to Red Hill Road in Pequa this time made all the difference. From the that trailhead, you can choose what direction you’d like to enjoy the trail. But I would highly recommend going west towards the Martic Forge Trestle and the beginning of the spectacular views of the Susquehanna to River

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