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Print Friendly MapMaryland's Intercounty Connector Trail serves as an important commuting route across Montgomery County and Prince George's County. It gets its name from the Intercounty Connector (also known as State Route 200), which it largely parallels.
The developing ICC Trail is currently completed in a few disconnected segments through the communities of Olney, Norbeck, Wheaton, Silver Spring, Beltsville, and Laurel. The paved pathway is separated from the roadway by a wide median and fencing. Opposite the roadway, the trail is buffered by trees for much of its length.
The westernmost segment of the trail, totaling 6.1 miles, begins at Needwood Road, west of Gaithersburg and just outside of Upper Rock Creek Park. From there, it parallels the Intercounty Connector for 2 miles to Emory Lane. The trail then diverts from SR 200, following Emory Lane to Olney Manor Recreational Park on Georgia Avenue (MD 97). From the park, the trail heads down MD 97 back to SR 200, which it follows for nearly 3 more miles to Layhill Road (MD 182), across from Layhill Local Park.
After a gap, the trail picks up again at Notley Road and travels 0.7 miles to New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650). A walled divider between the pathway and the Intercounty Connector keeps the experience pleasant. On its south side, the trail is bordered by trees and a residential neighborhood.
East of US 29, another section of trail spans 0.7 miles between Briggs Chaney Road and Old Gunpowder Road in Prince George's County. Although not very long, the trail offers the opportunity to access two parks—the Cross Creek Club Local Park and the Cross Creek Community Park—as well as a connection to the Little Paint Branch Trail.
The easternmost segment of trail spans a half mile in Laurel, between Virginia Manor Road and US 1.
Parking is available in the parks which the trail connects, from east to west:
We found this trail to be one of the worst trails...simply because once you're off the established paved biking/walking trail (which isn't very long), there's absolutely NO SIGNAGE where the next leg of the trail is. For that matter, there's no signage ANYWHERE that the trail even exists. Finally, the trail starts then has a break, then starts again, another break...etc. I've been riding the W&OD trail for years and that, my friends, is a great cycling trail. The ICC Trail should be revisited by planners.
Awesome trail to walk or bike, there are way too many hills for “inline skates” to be comfortable. If you’re skating or roller skating STAY AWAY. Otherwise all good
This is a well maintained trail, with smooth asphalt throughout. Good for late fall and winter months with great sun exposure. It lacks sufficient signage. The most confusing segment is crossing George Avenue going east to west. There is no directional signage indicating where to cross Georgia Avenue at Emory Lane. Once on the west side of GA Ave, nothing distinguishing the GA Ave trail from the ICC trail.
Parked at Layhill Park and started at Park Vista. The trail is disjointed and not very well labelled. Especially on Georgia Ave. Be sure to turn on Emory Lane
If your in the fairyland area I recommend parking in the parking lot right off old gunpowder.
Traveled on the ICC Trail from Layhill Road to within a mile of Shady Grove Metro station, then doubled back and took Beach Drive south along Lake Needwood to where the Rock Creek Trail starts. Then I went back northbound on Beach Drive and followed the ICC Trail back to Layhill Road. Generally the ICC Trail is really great. Nice wide, smooth surface over the majority of the trail (approximately 10 feet wide). The Emory Lane section is considerably narrower (approximately 6 feet wide). Although Beach Drive is not part of the ICC Trail I wanted to check out how that was for connecting to the Rock Creek Trail, and it is typical park road with low traffic volume and pretty safe IMO for bicyclists, and a pretty easy connection to the Rock Creek Trail. There is not a sign at the Emory Lane junction, so that may cause a bit of confusion the first time you ride the trail. The trail doubles back under MD 200 at that point. Traffic noise from MD 200 on a lot of the trail is a downside, but the smooth, wide trail surface is really great. No protruding bumps from tree roots, potholes, muddy sections, culverts, etc. that are typical of a number of trails in the area. The places where you have to cross intersections have traffic signals installed and seemed pretty safe, although one should ALWAYS observe caution. I gave the ICC Trail a "5" rating, although I thought it was really about half way between a 4 and a 5. But, compared to a lot of other trails it is definitely one of the best in the area.
Excellent trail for fast biking. Very easy to navigate
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