Regional and County Trails in Maryland
Anne Arundel County is building an extensive network of recreation and
transportation trails for its citizens. Two of the developing national trails,
the East Coast Greenway and the American Discovery Trail intersect in Anne
Arundel County. Citizens and visitors can enjoy a trip on the
Baltimore and Annapolis Trail in Severna Park, the
BWI Trail that circles BWI International Airport in Linthicum, or the
WB&A Trail in Odenton.
The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (LSHG) is a non-profit organization
whose mission is to stimulate local economic activity by developing a linkage
between our natural, historic and cultural resources. This linkage is a series
of land and water recreational trails that weave our past into our future while
promoting an understanding and appreciation for the character of this region. As
part of a statewide system of Heritage Areas, the LSHG is responsible for
implementing a local management plan targeting our waterfront communities. Our
40 million dollar business plan is designed to be a catalyst for capital
investment; therefore we are building the public / private partnerships
necessary for regional revitalization. Once you experience all the Lower
Susquehanna Heritage Area has to offer, we believe you will share our vision to
create 40 miles of continuous public recreation trails connecting Harford and
Cecil Counties.
DLITE represents a union of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia businesses, conservation organizations, and local, state, and federal partners which have formed an alliance to encourage nature- and heritage-based tourism and conservation on the Delmarva Peninsula. DLITE promotes birding, cycling, and paddling opportunities across Delmarva through the creation of trails and the hosting of regional events. Recent trail projects include the production of the Great Delmarva Bicycling Trail, Smith Island Water Trail, and the EA Vaughn Kayak Trail.
Baltimore City
The Gwynns Falls Trail travels through an environmentally valuable urban greenway park in west and southwest Baltimore City along the Gwynns Falls stream valley, a historically and culturally significant area. The Gwynns Falls greenway is the most complete system of linear parks in Baltimore as originally envisioned by
the Olmsted Brothers in their plan for Greater Baltimore Public Grounds prepared
for the Baltimore Municipal Arts Society in 1904. The greenway is composed of
over 2,000 acres of publicly-owned land within the Gwynns Falls stream valley
and includes one of the largest wilderness woodland parks in the Eastern United
States-Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park.
The Jones Falls Trail
Just as the Jones Falls runs through the heart of Baltimore, so will the Jones Falls Trail (JFT)! Lucky bikers and walkers have already experienced Phase One of the JFT, opened in 2005, which runs from Penn Station, along Falls Road, to Wyman Park Drive at the Steiff Silver Building. The trail boasts extra-wide sidewalks perfect for two-way bike traffic, wheelchairs, rollerblades or plain old feet. Phase Two of the JFT is now open! It runs through Druid Hill Park, along the reservoir past the zoo then straight to Woodberry. Phase Three will head towards Cylburn Arboretum and northward. The Jones Falls Trail is owned, managed, and maintained by the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP). Jones Falls Trail Map 2010
Visit the 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve and find rural roads and landscapes looking much as they did in the 19th and early 20th centuries with historic sites, weathered barns, pick-your-own farms, and antique stores dotting the rolling landscape.
The Viewtrail 100 bike trail offers cyclists a scenic tour of more than 100
miles of Worcester County's unspoiled countryside. The trail takes a circular route, traveling along small country roads,
through farmlands and forest, alongside the Pocomoke River, tributary creeks and
beautiful cypress swamps.
With links to Maryland Civil War Trails and driving tours.
In Maryland, the Civil War is best explored in the footsteps of generals, on
the heels of an assassin and by understanding the stories of the citizens who
survived the conflict. Four carefully mapped driving tours link together a
collection of both well-known and less-known sites from Baltimore City,
throughout the Chesapeake Region, Southern Maryland and into Western Maryland.
Anacostia Tributary Trail System
Get away from automobile traffic and experience nature! The Anacostia Tributary Trail System, a link in the national shore-to-shore American Discovery Trail,
provides miles of uninterrupted trails along the tributaries of the Anacostia
River. The southernmost point of the trail is located at Colmar Manor Community
Park, and trail spurs extend northeasterly and northwesterly along beautiful
stream valley parkland. The trail system's continuous greenway traverses a
variety of natural environments including woodlands, open fields, and wetlands.
The trail affords ample opportunities for fishing, bird watching, hiking,
biking, jogging, horseback riding, and in-line skating. Sites along the
Anacostia Tributary Trail System worth a stop include College Park Airport,
College Park Aviation Museum, Ellen Linson Swimming Pool, Herbert Wells Ice
Rink, Lake Artemesia, Adelphi Mill, College Park Community Center, Paint Branch
Golf Course, the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, and many local neighborhood and
community parks. The flat, barrier-free trail system is designed for a wide
variety of users, and a signage system with mile markers assists with location
awareness. The trail system links several neighborhoods to Metro stations, but
commuters needing to travel at speeds greater than 12 miles per hour should
consider alternative routes.
Lower Patuxent
The Patuxent River Park manages over 7,000 acres of “limited-use” parkland
preserving the natural resources and scenic character of the Patuxent River
while providing compatible recreational activities for the public. The 2000 acre
Jug Bay Natural Area in Upper Marlboro has over 8 miles of natural surface
trails open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. Each trail is identified by a
white fiberglass marker with colored coded diamonds and directional arrows. The
map also indicates the distance between each intersection. Trail users are
encouraged to follow proper trail etiquette and adhere to smart trail use.
The Sanctuary currently supports four hiking trails in the wildlife areas
(only open to foot traffic). The trails vary from
primarily flat ground to steeper hills. All trail distances are round-trip,
measured from the Visitor Center (except Lookout Creek Trail). They connect
to Patuxent River NRMA and M-NCPPC Jug Bay Park in Prince George’s County.
We suggest hiking, biking, or driving the four-mile route that makes up the
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Tour. The roadway is open daily for hiking and
bicycling, and open Sundays for vehicles. The tour connects Jug Bay Natural Area
with Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and features educational displays, observation
towers and a 1,000-foot long wooden bridge across the marsh. Visitors can pick
up a self-guided tour brochure from the Patuxent River Visitor's Center, and
guided programs are available by reservation. A cooperative project between M-NCPPC
and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, this project was a result of
the Chesapeake Bay Initiative.
Patuxent NRMA
The Patuxent NRMA is comprised of several pieces of property located in
Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles and Calvert counties. Recreational
opportunities include hiking, bird watching, hunting, fishing, paddle-in camping
and horseback riding. The Maryland Park Service has turned the management of
some properties over to county park systems. The Patuxent NRMA properties are
undeveloped, so access and parking are limited in many cases. For further
information contact Cedarville State Forest headquarters at 301-888-1410.
The trail offers visitors the opportunity to paddle the river, camp along its
banks and visit its numerous parks, historic sites, sanctuaries and wildlife
areas. The 110 mile long river is unique in that it is the longest river that
flows entirely within the state of Maryland .From its source at Parrs Ridge in
Carroll County to Drum Point on the Chesapeake Bay, the Patuxent River is known
for its treasured resources and natural beauty. Dense woodlands buffer the upper
reaches while farmlands dominate the southern part creating scenic vistas and a
serene rural environment. Archaeological and cultural resources tell the story
of 10,000 of human habitation. In 1968, the State recognized its valuable
resources and designated the Patuxent River as one of Maryland's Scenic Rivers.
Since then, federal, state and local agencies along with conservation
organizations have partnered together to preserve, enhance and restore the
natural and cultural resources of the river and to be good stewards for the
protection of its watershed.
The Patuxent River Scenic Trail at Queen Anne is a 4-mile natural surface
woodland trail for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Scenic overlooks,
interpretive exhibits and rest stops complement the trail. Color-coded markers
make the trail easy to follow. Visitors are asked to follow proper trail
etiquette and park in designated areas.
The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is a local
land trust located in Calvert County, Maryland, an
hour's drive from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.
ACLT maintains15 miles of
self-guided hiking trails, conducts guided canoe
trips, and holds public events to allow citizens to experience this
beautiful 3,000-acre preserved area for yourself.
