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Print Friendly MapBlack Hill Trail offers a wooded trek with gentle inclines through Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC. The trail is primarily paved, though a short section in the middle is unpaved and rocky.
A good place to begin your journey is at the park's visitor center, where you'll find parking, restrooms, picnic areas, and a fishing pier. From there, the trail winds through oak and hickory trees between Little Seneca Lake and Little Seneca Creek. Add to your adventure by renting a boat and following the water trail on the lake, or exploring one of the park's natural-surface trails for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.
An alternative starting point is Crystal Rock Drive on the eastern side of the park. From the parking area, you’ll see the entrance to the park’s Crystal Rock Trail, which takes you a couple hundred yards west to where it joins the Black Hill Trail. This approach is shorter and closer to visitors coming from Washington, DC.
Parking is available at the Black Hill Regional Park visitor center at 20930 Lake Ridge Drive in Boyds.
Alternatively, if you’re coming from Washington, DC, you can get off I-270 (Eisenhower Memorial Highway) at Father Hurley Boulevard, head south, and take the first right turn on Crystal Rock Drive; drive to the end of the road and park. From the parking area, you’ll see the entrance to the park’s Crystal Rock Trail, which leads to the Black Hill Trail after a short distance.
Have been recuperating from a broken ankle and started hiking to improve my strength and flexibility. Found this trail to be a good challenge as I build my stamina. Good asphalt service and some inclines. But overall a great workout. Wonderful views of the nearby lake. Must be spectacular in the spring and fall. Will definitely be doing this one again.
It was alright - the trail didn’t give much view of the lake itself and also didn’t circumnavigate it. You just kind of end up in a neighborhood. That said it was wide and well maintained and easy to navigate.
Very scenic route, paved bike path. We went on a Sunday after 2pm and it wasn’t crazy packed. It is true that there are a bunch of hills so be prepared for a workout. Definitely worth a try.
Scenic trail, plenty of wildlife, perfect for walking or biking!
Good area to walk, jog, run, bike, ..... our dog loved it as well.
For biking it is very hilly. There are a lot of people on the trails. It is hard to park since it is a very popular park. if you like a leisurely pace then this place is good for you. If you are a hardcore biker that wants to race, this is not the place for you.
This is a lovely, lovely trail that always lifts my spirits and reminds me how much beauty there is in nature. However, you must beware of bikers. It's been my experience over several years of hiking here that cyclists generally do NOT use bells, horns, voices, or anything else audible to alert hikers of their oncoming presence. Keep your eyes open, hikers! And enjoy.
You certainly can start your bike ride at the Visitors Center on top of the hill but another alternative is get off of Rt. 270 at Father Hurley Blvd and head south and take the first right turn on Crystal Rock Drive and drive to the end and park. There you will see the entrance to the Crystal Rock Trail which takes you a couple of hundred yards to where it joins the Black Rock Trail along the lake to the south or left. This approach is shorter and closer to DC than driving out to Clarksburg and avoids having to bike up a long hill after you bike around the eastern side of the lake. Youker
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