Washington, DC Trails and Maps

1012 Reviews

Looking for the best trails around Washington?

Explore the best rated trails in Washington, DC. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Meadowlark Connector Trail. With more than 112 trails covering 4577 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.

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
112 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Anacostia River Trail

20 mi
State: DC, MD
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Anacostia Tributary Trail System

29.9 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

B&A Trail

13.3 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

BWI Trail

12.5 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Bethesda Trolley Trail

4 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Beulah Street Sidepath

3.25 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Black Hill Trail

4.3 mi
State: MD
Asphalt, Dirt

Blake Lane Sidepath

3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Bluemont Junction Trail

1.3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Braddock Road Sidepath

10 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Brentwood Levee Trail

0.9 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Broadneck Peninsula Trail

1.2 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Burke Lake Loop Trail

4.5 mi
State: VA
Gravel

Burke VRE Trail

1.4 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Cameron Station Linear Park

1 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Capital Crescent Trail

11 mi
State: DC, MD
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Carl Henn Millennium Trail

10.7 mi
State: MD
Asphalt, Concrete

Catonsville Short Line Trail

1.4 mi
State: MD
Dirt, Gravel

Centreville Road Sidepath

4.7 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

184.5 mi
State: DC, MD
Brick, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Accordion

Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail

1.4 mi
State: MD
Boardwalk

Cross County Trail (VA)

40 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Ballast, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Cross Island Trail

9.2 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Cub Run Stream Valley Trail

9.1 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Custis Trail

4 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail

15.7 mi
State: VA
Dirt

Downs Park Trail

5 mi
State: MD
Asphalt, Dirt

Eisenhower Avenue Trail

2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Fairfax County Parkway Trail

28.3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Folly Branch Trail

2.9 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Folly Lick Branch Trail

2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail

7 mi
State: DC
Dirt, Gravel

Four Mile Run Trail

6.2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Goldmine Loop Trail

2.5 mi
State: MD
Dirt

Great American Rail-Trail

3743.9 mi
State: DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Gwynns Falls Trail

18.9 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Harpers Ferry Railroad Bridge

0.14 mi
State: MD, WV
Boardwalk

Henson Creek Trail

5.7 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Herndon Parkway Sidepath

2 mi
State: VA
Concrete

Herring Run Trail

2.5 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Holmes Run Trail

5.2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Indian Creek Trail (MD)

1.5 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Indian Head Rail Trail

13.4 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Intercounty Connector Trail

8 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

John Overstreet Connector

1.5 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Jones Falls Trail

11.1 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Kent Island South Trail

5.8 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Klingle Valley Trail

0.7 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

Lake Accotink Trail

4.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Lake Artemesia Trail

1.35 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Lake Frank Trail

1.8 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Lake Mercer Loop Trail

5.3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Linton Hall Road Trail

5.4 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Little Falls Trail (MD)

2.2 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Little Paint Branch Trail

1.1 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Lone Wolf Trail

1 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Long Branch Trail (MD)

1.2 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

MacArthur Boulevard Bike Path

8 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Magruder Branch Trail

3.45 mi
State: MD
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Marvin Gaye Trail

1.9 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

Mary Washington Hospital Trail

0.75 mi
State: VA
Concrete

Matthew Henson Trail

4.5 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Meadowlark Connector Trail

1.25 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Metro Linear Park

0.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Metropolitan Branch Trail

5.5 mi
State: DC, MD
Asphalt

Middletown Road Sidepath

3 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Mount Airy Rail-Trail

0.5 mi
State: MD
Crushed Stone

Mount Vernon Trail

18 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Northeast Branch Trail

3.5 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Northwest Branch Trail

7 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Number Eight Streetcar Path

0.33 mi
State: MD
Crushed Stone

Ox Road Sidepath

11.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Oxon Run Trail

3.4 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

Patuxent Branch Trail

4.6 mi
State: MD
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Poplar Trail

0.9 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Potomac Yard Trail

2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Powerline Trail (MD)

6 mi
State: MD
Dirt, Grass

Rappahannock Canal Walk

1.8 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Rappahannock River Heritage Trail

1.6 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail

3.8 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Rock Creek Park Trails

8.5 mi
State: DC
Asphalt, Dirt

Rock Creek Trail (MD)

16 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Rocky Run Stream Valley Trail

4.6 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Rosewick Road Sidepath

5.2 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Savage Mill Trail

1 mi
State: MD
Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

Sligo Creek Trail

10.2 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

South Shore Trail

1.9 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

St. Michaels Nature Trail

1.3 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Stony Run Trail

2.9 mi
State: MD
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Woodchips

Strawberry Lake Way Bicycle Path

2.2 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Stringfellow Road Sidepath

3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

Sudley Manor Drive Trail

4.3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Suitland Parkway Trail

1.7 mi
State: DC
Asphalt

Three Notch Trail

13.1 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

19.7 mi
State: MD
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Trolley Line #9 Trail

1.5 mi
State: MD
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Twinbrook Connector Trail

0.8 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Unfinished Railroad Loop Trail

1.2 mi
State: VA
Dirt

Vesper Trail

0.4 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Virginia Central Railway Trail

4.5 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Concrete

WB&A Trail

13.1 mi
State: MD
Asphalt

Warrenton Branch Greenway

2 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

West Campus Access Road Trail

0.4 mi
State: DC
Concrete

West Ox Road Sidepath

2.9 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

White's Mill Trail

1.3 mi
State: VA
Asphalt

Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail

3.3 mi
State: MD, VA
Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The Anacostia River Trail, sometimes referred to as the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, is an important component of the Capital Trails Coalition's plan to create an 800-mile network of multiuse trails...
DC, MD 20 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Anacostia Tributary Trail System includes a number of trails linked together and managed by the National Park Service. The trail include: the Anacostia River Trail, the Northwest Branch Trail, the...
MD 29.9 mi Asphalt
If you are looking to augment your physical workout with some intellectual exercise, look no further than the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail. The scenic, paved, 13-mile community trail is brimming with...
MD 13.3 mi Asphalt
The 11-mile BWI Trail was primarily designed for area commuters; however, the trail also makes for a great recreation venue. Despite being close to BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport, much of the trail is...
MD 12.5 mi Asphalt
The Bethesda Trolley Trail—also known as the North Bethesda Trail—is a 4-mile path linking Bethesda and North Bethesda, primarily by bridging two major highways. The trail occupies the abandoned...
MD 4 mi Asphalt
Running parallel to Beulah Street from Franconia to Fort Belvoir in southeast Fairfax County, the paved Beulah Street Sidepath provides a link to numerous neighborhoods along its route. A parallel...
VA 3.25 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Black 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...
MD 4.3 mi Asphalt, Dirt
The Blake Lane Sidepath runs for 3 miles, linking Oak Marr Park and Recreation Center with neighborhoods, Oakton High School and other parks. Most of the trail is concrete and the width of a standard...
VA 3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Bluemont Junction Trail is a short paved trail that branches off from the popular Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) in the heart of Arlington. The trail was built on a spur line that once...
VA 1.3 mi Asphalt
The Braddock Road Sidepath parallels Braddock Road and New Braddock Road (State Route 620) between Centreville and Burke, two bedroom communities in Northern Virginia's Fairfax County. The trail...
VA 10 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Town of Brentwood is tucked between Mt Rainier & Hyattsville in Prince George's County, Maryland. This short stretch of paved trail sits on the crest of a levee along the south bank of the...
MD 0.9 mi Asphalt
The Broadneck Peninsula Trail is 1.2 miles of asphalt walking and biking pathway in east Annapolis. The trail runs parallel to College Parkway, from Green Holly Drive to Old Cape St. Claire Road,...
MD 1.2 mi Asphalt
The Burke Lake Loop Trail offers a nearly 5-mile route for a pleasant walk or bike, while enjoying the beautiful scenery around Burke Lake in Fairfax. Since the Burke Lake Loop Trail is within Burke...
VA 4.5 mi Gravel
Burke VRE Trail lies within Pohick Stream Valley Park and provides an important commuting and recreational corridor, connecting a shopping center, residential neighborhoods, and a Virginia Railway...
VA 1.4 mi Asphalt
Cameron Station Linear Park is the quintessential neighborhood trail. Located in Alexandria, a suburb of Washington, D.C., it offers a pleasant paved pathway frequented by joggers, dog walkers,...
VA 1 mi Asphalt
The 11-mile Capital Crescent Trail follows the former route of the Georgetown Branch rail line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It begins in Silver Spring, Maryland, east of the Rock Creek Trestle,...
DC, MD 11 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The Carl Henn Millennium Trail is Rockville's bicycle beltway. The 10-mile trail creates a circle around the city, providing a safe and convenient way to get around town or enjoy a leisurely...
MD 10.7 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Catonsville Short Line Trail follows a segment of the former Catonsville Short Line Railroad, which ran from Charlestown to Catonsville. As of 2018, the trail runs between Shady Nook Avenue and...
MD 1.4 mi Dirt, Gravel
This paved sidepath runs parallel to Centreville Road/State Route 657, providing a safe route for alternative transportation along the busy suburban roadway in western Fairfax County. The trail runs...
VA 4.7 mi Asphalt
Following the Potomac River, the C&O Canal Towpath traverses the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park for 184.5 miles between Georgetown in Washington, D.C., and Cumberland, Maryland. For...
DC, MD 184.5 mi Brick, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Accordion
Between 1900 and 1935, the Chesapeake Beach Railway whisked vacationers from Washington, DC, to the grand hotels, beaches and boardwalk of the resort town of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Now tourists...
MD 1.4 mi Boardwalk
The Cross County Trail is a multi-use trail that generally follows the various stream valleys in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is officially named the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in recognition...
VA 40 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Maryland's Cross Island Trail spans Kent Island, east to west, in Queen Anne's County, providing multiple points of access to everything from libraries and schools to ball fields and the waterfront....
MD 9.2 mi Asphalt
The Cub Run Stream Valley Trail offers a paved route meandering through Cub Run Stream Valley Park in the Northern Virginia suburb of Centreville. Though it's surrounded by residential neighborhoods,...
VA 9.1 mi Asphalt
The Custis Trail is a popular urban route that links Virginia's D.C. suburbs with the District itself, connecting to both the W&OD Railroad Regional Park Trail at the latter's 4-mile marker and the...
VA 4 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail (DRHT) traverses a scenic forested landscape abounding with wildlife in Virginia's Northern Neck. The rail-trail, which was designated as a National Recreation...
VA 15.7 mi Dirt
Downs Park Trail is located in Downs Park on the Chesapeake Bay just north of Gibson Island. The 3.5-mile perimeter trail is paved, popular for walkers and cyclists alike, and an additional 1.5 miles...
MD 5 mi Asphalt, Dirt
Although it parallels Eisenhower Avenue, this paved pathway is not without its charms. On its west end, Alexandria's Eisenhower Avenue Trail begins in Hensley Park, which offers plentiful parking and...
VA 2 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Fairfax County Parkway Trail parallels Fairfax County Parkway/State Route 286 on its route across Fairfax County, Virginia. While the paved trail varies in width and condition, most of the trail...
VA 28.3 mi Asphalt
A winding line of asphalt meanders between Glenn Dale Park in Lanham to Annapolis Road. The trail is sheltered amongst the riparian woodland of Folly Branch. At the north end of the trail can be...
MD 2.9 mi Asphalt
The Folly Lick Branch Trail begins in Herndon, a northern Virginia suburb. The paved pathway begins off Herndon Parkway and winds northeast along the Folly Lick Branch stream through a residential...
VA 2 mi Asphalt
Washington, D.C.'s Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail links some of the District's dozens of Civil War era forts (now national parks) that were built to defend the city from attack by the southern...
DC 7 mi Dirt, Gravel
The Four Mile Run Trail traverses the Four Mile Run stream valley and has many twists and turns, not to mention steep sections (mercifully short). The trail more or less parallels the popular W&OD...
VA 6.2 mi Asphalt
Tucked in the meandering, wooded hills of the sprawling yet understated multimillion-dollar estates of Great Falls, just outside Washington, D.C., is the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic...
MD 2.5 mi Dirt
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY 3743.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park course for 2.5 miles through the heavily wooded park between Ilchester Road and Lost Lake. The trail is gentle and wheelchair accessible. It passes...
MD 2.5 mi Asphalt
The Gwynns Falls Trail is a 19-mile continuous corridor connecting dozens of west and southwest Baltimore neighborhoods with parks, historical and cultural landmarks and the urban business district....
MD 18.9 mi Asphalt
This rail-with-trail bridge crosses the Potomac River near its confluence with the Shenandoah River, at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. A cantilevered section of the bridge allows pedestrian access...
MD, WV 0.14 mi Boardwalk
The Henson Creek Trail is located in the southwestern portion of Prince George's County, Maryland, and connects the growing District of Columbia suburbs of Fort Washington and Oxon Hill with the...
MD 5.7 mi Asphalt
This short sidepath parallels Herndon Parkway on the eastern edge of Herndon in Northern Virginia. Much of the trail is the width of a standard sidewalk, and it includes crosswalks and curb-cuts at...
VA 2 mi Concrete
Baltimore’s Herring Run Trail runs through scenic Herring Run Park, centered on a tributary of the Back River. The winding trail follows Herring Run through a woodlands environment so peaceful you're...
MD 2.5 mi Asphalt
The Holmes Run Trail offers a scenic pathway through the heart of a busy residential area in Alexandria and adjoining Fairfax County, both suburbs of Washington, D.C. The trail, which is divided into...
VA 5.2 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Maryland's Indian Creek Trail is one of the shorter components of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, but it serves as a vital link between the town of Berwyn Heights, Maryland, and scenic Lake...
MD 1.5 mi Asphalt
Located just 18 miles south of our nation's capital, the Indian Head Rail Trail offers a unique natural outdoor experience, seemingly far removed from urban development and its associated chaotic...
MD 13.4 mi Asphalt
Maryland'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...
MD 8 mi Asphalt
The John Overstreet Connector is a 1.5-mile trail segment that links the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail and BWI Trail. The short—but vital—trail is named after Overstreet, a retiree from Glen Burnie,...
MD 1.5 mi Asphalt
The Jones Falls Trail extends over 10 miles between Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the Mount Washington Light Rail Station. From Mount Washington, an elevated boardwalk whisks users through a...
MD 11.1 mi Asphalt
The Kent Island South Trail is one of two popular recreational trails (along with the Cross Island Trail) on Maryland's Kent Island, the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay. The trail runs parallel...
MD 5.8 mi Asphalt
The Klingle Valley Trail spans just shy of a mile in a leafy, residential area of northwest Washington, DC. The trail opened in June 2017 and is accessible to the neighborhoods of Cleveland Park,...
DC 0.7 mi Asphalt
In Northern Virginia's suburban community of Springfield, Lake Accotink Park provides a wilderness escape amid the city surroundings. The 500-acre park features picnic areas, miniature golf, an...
VA 4.5 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel
The Lake Artemesia Trail—one component of the larger Anacostia Tributary Trail System—completely encircles its scenic eponymous lake in Prince George's County, Maryland. The trail is also a great...
MD 1.35 mi Asphalt
Lake Frank is a 54-acre reservoir located in the heart of Rock Creek Regional Park in Derwood, east of Rockville. The reservoir, together with Lake Needwood was created for flood control and was named...
MD 1.8 mi Asphalt
The Lake Mercer Loop Trail wraps around Lake Mercer in Fairfax and is slightly over five miles in length. From the Lake Mercer Loop Trail you can hop on to the South Run Trail, or the Burke Lake Loop...
VA 5.3 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The Linton Hall Road Trail runs parallel to its namesake—also signed as State Route 619—in western Prince William County. More utilitarian than scenic, the trail acts as a transportation route for...
VA 5.4 mi Asphalt
Little Falls Trail is a hike-and-bike pathway in Montgomery County, Maryland. Winding through parks and along creeks, the trail runs parallel to the popular Capital Crescent Trail for part of its...
MD 2.2 mi Asphalt
This bike and pedestrian path threads through the park of the same name. The trail exists in 2 sections: the northern segment begins in the Fairland Recreational Park and winds south, eventually...
MD 1.1 mi Asphalt
The Lone Wolf Trail is a 1-mile trail in Anne Arundel County Maryland. The trail is connected to two already existing trails: The Strawberry Lake Way Bicycle Path, and the WB&A Trail. Although the...
MD 1 mi Asphalt
The Long Branch Trail is a neighborhood trail tracing the Long Branch Creek beginning at its confluence with Sligo Creek in Takoma Park, to Piney Branch Road in Long Branch. The trail is an easy ride:...
MD 1.2 mi Asphalt
Opened in 2009, the short Lord Fairfax Community College Connector Trail extends from the parking lot of the junior college to its temporary endpoint in a scenic wildlife area. Eventually, an extended...
VA 0.3 mi Crushed Stone
The MacArthur Boulevard Bike Path follows the winding road through the communities of Bethesda and Potomac, just north of Washington, DC. Along the way, the path passes shops in Cabin John and Glen...
MD 8 mi Asphalt
This 3.45-mile paved trail follows the Magruder Branch creek, beginning at the Damascus Recreational Park on Kings Valley Road. It’s a relatively flat trail for most of its length, barring the steeper...
MD 3.45 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
The Marvin Gaye Trail offers a paved pathway through the Deanwood, Burville, Lincoln Heights, and Hillbrook neighborhoods of Washington, DC. Just shy of 2 miles, it runs from Minnesota Avenue NE, near...
DC 1.9 mi Asphalt
The Mary Washington Hospital Trail runs along the southeast border of the hospital center, proving a pleasant stroll or gentle bike ride for hospital visitors and patients.
VA 0.75 mi Concrete
The Matthew Henson Trail runs along a paved surface (rough in places from tree roots) through a narrow band of forested green space between the Rock Creek Trail just south of Veirs Road and Alderton...
MD 4.5 mi Asphalt
Although less than two miles long, the Meadowlark Connector Trail provides a terrific link between the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and the popular W&OD Trail. The trail meets the W&OD in Vienna;...
VA 1.25 mi Asphalt
This short rail-with-trail is short but makes some pretty significant connections: it links the King Street and Braddock Road metro stations. It also connects to the Potomac Yard Trail, helping to...
VA 0.5 mi Asphalt
Following the route of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Metropolitan Branch rail line, the Met Branch Trail is a busy urban rail-with-trail that shares a corridor with Metro's Red Line, MARC commuter...
DC, MD 5.5 mi Asphalt
The 3-mile separated multi-use path along Middletown Road allows for safe recreation and transportation along the western side of Waldorf, Maryland. The trail begins just south of State Route 228 and...
MD 3 mi Asphalt
CLOSED UNTIL AUGUST 2022 FOR UPGRADING. The Mount Airy Rail-Trail will one day span nearly 4 miles across the town of Mount Airy and through a scenic, wooded area. The first completed section of the...
MD 0.5 mi Crushed Stone
The 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail is one of the Washington, D.C. Metro area's most popular trails. Just across the Potomac River from D.C. in Virginia, the trail links Theodore Roosevelt Island Park with...
VA 18 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
The Northeast Branch Trail follows the levee along the—you guessed it—Northeast Branch of the Anacostia River from the Lake Artemesia Natural Area to Baltimore Avenue/US 1 (south of Hyattsville). The...
MD 3.5 mi Asphalt
The Northwest Branch Trail—an integral part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System—runs between the Maryland towns of Hyattsville and Silver Spring, linking two bustling suburbs of Washington, D.C....
MD 7 mi Asphalt
The #8 Streetcar Path runs just a short distance (0.33 mile) along part of the route of the former streetcar system that once ran between Catonsville and Ellicott City. The streetcar operated from...
MD 0.33 mi Crushed Stone
The Ox Road Sidepath is a paved trail that runs parallel to Ox Road/State Route 123 in Fairfax County. The trail runs from George Mason University's main Fairfax campus to just south of the former...
VA 11.5 mi Asphalt
Oxon Run is the name of a tributary of the Potomac River in southeast DC, which lends its name to both the trail system and park in which the trail loop is found. The trail on both sides of the...
DC 3.4 mi Asphalt
Maryland is home to two Paint Branch Trails, this one in Montgomery County and another farther south in Prince George's County. This Paint Branch Trail offers a well-shaded, paved pathway...
MD 2.3 mi Asphalt
Prince George's County's Paint Branch Trail (not to be confused with Montgomery County's Paint Branch Trail farther north) runs for 3.5 miles between Lake Artemesia and Cherry Hill Neighborhood Park...
MD 3.5 mi Asphalt
The Patuxent Branch Trail is part of a 20-mile trail system over and around the rolling hills of Howard County that follows a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line along the Patuxent River. The...
MD 4.6 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Annapolis' Poplar Trail runs for nearly 1 mile on a section of the old Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis right-of-way in the heart of Maryland's capital city. Although short, the trail is a vital part...
MD 0.9 mi Asphalt
Providing an important urban link between the Crystal City area of Arlington and the western edge of historical Alexandria, the Potomac Yard Trail is a huge boon to the area for commuting as well as...
VA 2 mi Asphalt
This trail traces a hilly green swath located in a Pepco electric utility right-of-way that stretches between South Gernmantown Recreational Park and Muddy Branch Stream Valley Park. It's a natural...
MD 6 mi Dirt, Grass
The Rappahannock Canal Walk follows the old towpath along the disused canal just northwest of downtown Fredericksburg. The path follows a winding course past old suburban back yards and through a...
VA 1.8 mi Asphalt
The Rappahannock River Heritage Trail offers a pleasant, paved route in the center of Fredericksburg with beautiful views of the Rappahannock River. Part of the trail winds through Old Mill Park,...
VA 1.6 mi Asphalt
The Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail provides a safe pathway for students, from kindergartners to doctoral candidates, to walk and bike to school in College Park, Riverdale Park and Hyattsville. The...
MD 3.8 mi Asphalt
Closure Notice: Beginning March 31, 2021, DDOT and the NPS will be working on a construction project that will impact much of the southern segment of the trail (between M Street and Broad Branch Road...
DC 8.5 mi Asphalt, Dirt
Rock Creek Trail forms a winding path, at times narrow, through the urban greenway of Rock Creek Regional Park. The trail extends between Needwood Lake northeast of Rockville, MD, and the Washington,...
MD 16 mi Asphalt
Rocky Run Stream Valley Trail is part of the countywide trail system. This trail runs from the Fairfax County Parkway to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. The distance along the trail from the Parkway to the...
VA 4.6 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The separated multi-use Rosewick Road Sidepath provides a direct link for both recreation and transportation between the southern Maryland communities of St. Charles and La Plata. The path runs...
MD 5.2 mi Asphalt
The Savage Mill Trail in Savage Park travels along the rolling Patuxent River through the grounds of an old cotton mill. In the early 1800s, Savage was a major manufacturing center, harnessing power...
MD 1 mi Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel
The Sligo Creek Trail parallels the eponymous waterway from its confluence with the Northwest Branch in Hyattsville to just north of its origin in Wheaton in Montgomery County. Along the way, a number...
MD 10.2 mi Asphalt
The developing South Shore Trail will one day stretch 14 miles between Annapolis and Odenton. It's also part of the larger East Coast Greenway, a widespread network connecting trails from Maine to...
MD 1.9 mi Asphalt
The St. Michaels Nature Trail skirts the western edge of the scenic town of St. Michaels, Maryland, which was built on the site of a 17th century Anglican church that eventually lent the settlement...
MD 1.3 mi Asphalt
Baltimore’s Stony Run Trail follows an old Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad line through nearly 3 miles of wooded stream valleys and small parks, providing a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle...
MD 2.9 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Woodchips
The Strawberry Lake Way Bicycle Path is a 2.2 mile trail that is located between Laurel and Annapolis in Anne Arundel County Maryland. The trail starts at Piney Orchard Elementary School, and ends at...
MD 2.2 mi Asphalt
The Stringfellow Road Sidepath runs for three miles through Chantilly and Centreville in Northern Virginia's Fairfax County. The asphalt and concrete trail connects multiple neighborhoods to various...
VA 3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Sudley Manor Drive Trail runs parallel to the southern 4.5 miles of its namesake road in western Prince William County. The trail services a number of the surrounding communities, such as Bristow...
VA 4.3 mi Asphalt
The Suitland Parkway trail is a short paved multi-use path that runs adjacent to Suitland Parkway in SE D.C. to the border with Maryland. Proposed construction may extend the trail to the Branch...
DC 1.7 mi Asphalt
Southern Maryland's Three Notch Trail is a work-in-progress under the guidance of St. Mary's County and other stakeholders. When complete, the recreational trail will extend 28 miles along an...
MD 13.1 mi Asphalt
The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail is one of the best hiking and biking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region. It allows for nearly 20 miles of flat travel, punctuated by a number of access points and an...
MD 19.7 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
The first thing you may notice about the Trolley Line #9 Trail is the boardwalk that curves between the bluffs of massive rock. The granite was hand cut in the 1890s when the electric streetcar rails...
MD 1.5 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
Formerly known as the Parklawn North Trail, this path provides a bike-ped connection from the Twinbrook neighborhood to the Rock Creek Trail. The paved trail begins at the end of Rock Creek Mill Road,...
MD 0.8 mi Asphalt
The Unfinished Railroad Loop Trail is a short hiking trail within Manassas National Battlefield Park. The rail-trail runs on a corridor planned in the mid-19th century as a complement to the Manassas...
VA 1.2 mi Dirt
The Vesper Trail, which opened in 2019, serves as a short but important connector between Tysons and northern Vienna. The pathway spans 0.4 miles between the Spring Hill Metro Station (on the Silver...
VA 0.4 mi Asphalt
Situated midway between the nation’s capital and the Virginia capital of Richmond, the Virginia Central Railway Trail will one day offer more than 30 miles of trail from downtown Fredericksburg west...
VA 4.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Central Maryland's WB&A Trail occupies the former Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railway corridor—hence its name—for its entire route. The railroad operated electric commuter trains...
MD 13.1 mi Asphalt
The Warrenton Branch Greenway follows a segment of the former Warrenton Branch Spur railroad, running between downtown Warrenton (at S. 4th Street) and Meetze Road. The Warrenton Branch was...
VA 2 mi Asphalt
The Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) is one of suburban Washington, D.C.'s most popular rail-trails. The heavily used trail is frequented by commuters and recreationists alike, and is a...
VA 45 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The West Campus Access Road Trail, the newest rail-trail in Washington, D.C., travels through the sprawling former campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital, now set to become the new home of the Department...
DC 0.4 mi Concrete
The West Ox Road Sidepath is a short paved trail along the west side of West Ox Road. The trail extends from the Oak Hill area of Fairfax County to southeastern Chantilly (near Fair Oaks Mall in...
VA 2.9 mi Asphalt
The White’s Mill Trail provides a scenic route through wetlands and residential areas in the rural town of Warrenton. Trail-goers will enjoy the natural beauty of the Cedar Run valley and wildlife...
VA 1.3 mi Asphalt
The Windsor Hills Conservation Trail is a short hiking trail through the Windsor Hills neighborhood of Baltimore. Built partially on a former streetcar line that once connected the area with the...
MD 0.9 mi Dirt
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail provides a superb link between Alexandria, VA, and Maryland's National Harbor over the Potomac River. This well-used trail crosses on the up-river side of the bridge...
MD, VA 3.3 mi Concrete

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Trails by activity

Poplar Trail

MD - 0.9 miles

Annapolis' Poplar Trail runs for nearly 1 mile on a section of the old Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis right-of-way in the heart of Maryland's capital city. Although short, the trail is a vital part...

WB&A Trail

MD - 13.1 miles

Central Maryland's WB&A Trail occupies the former Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railway corridor—hence its name—for its entire route. The railroad operated electric commuter trains...

Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park

MD - 2.5 miles

The Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park course for 2.5 miles through the heavily wooded park between Ilchester Road and Lost Lake. The trail is gentle and wheelchair accessible. It passes...

Cub Run Stream Valley Trail

VA - 9.1 miles

The Cub Run Stream Valley Trail offers a paved route meandering through Cub Run Stream Valley Park in the Northern Virginia suburb of Centreville. Though it's surrounded by residential neighborhoods,...

Accordion

Lake Artemesia Trail

MD - 1.35 miles

The Lake Artemesia Trail—one component of the larger Anacostia Tributary Trail System—completely encircles its scenic eponymous lake in Prince George's County, Maryland. The trail is also a great...

Cross County Trail (VA)

VA - 40 miles

The Cross County Trail is a multi-use trail that generally follows the various stream valleys in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is officially named the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in recognition...

Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail

MD - 1.4 miles

Between 1900 and 1935, the Chesapeake Beach Railway whisked vacationers from Washington, DC, to the grand hotels, beaches and boardwalk of the resort town of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Now tourists...

Holmes Run Trail

VA - 5.2 miles

The Holmes Run Trail offers a scenic pathway through the heart of a busy residential area in Alexandria and adjoining Fairfax County, both suburbs of Washington, D.C. The trail, which is divided into...

Paint Branch Trail (Montgomery County)

MD - 2.3 miles

Maryland is home to two Paint Branch Trails, this one in Montgomery County and another farther south in Prince George's County. This Paint Branch Trail offers a well-shaded, paved pathway...

Lake Accotink Trail

VA - 4.5 miles

In Northern Virginia's suburban community of Springfield, Lake Accotink Park provides a wilderness escape amid the city surroundings. The 500-acre park features picnic areas, miniature golf, an...

Patuxent Branch Trail

MD - 4.6 miles

The Patuxent Branch Trail is part of a 20-mile trail system over and around the rolling hills of Howard County that follows a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line along the Patuxent River. The...

Carl Henn Millennium Trail

MD - 10.7 miles

The Carl Henn Millennium Trail is Rockville's bicycle beltway. The 10-mile trail creates a circle around the city, providing a safe and convenient way to get around town or enjoy a leisurely...

Little Falls Trail (MD)

MD - 2.2 miles

Little Falls Trail is a hike-and-bike pathway in Montgomery County, Maryland. Winding through parks and along creeks, the trail runs parallel to the popular Capital Crescent Trail for part of its...

Potomac Yard Trail

VA - 2 miles

Providing an important urban link between the Crystal City area of Arlington and the western edge of historical Alexandria, the Potomac Yard Trail is a huge boon to the area for commuting as well as...

Herndon Parkway Sidepath

VA - 2 miles

This short sidepath parallels Herndon Parkway on the eastern edge of Herndon in Northern Virginia. Much of the trail is the width of a standard sidewalk, and it includes crosswalks and curb-cuts at...

Metropolitan Branch Trail

DC,MD - 5.5 miles

Following the route of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Metropolitan Branch rail line, the Met Branch Trail is a busy urban rail-with-trail that shares a corridor with Metro's Red Line, MARC commuter...

Cross Island Trail

MD - 9.2 miles

Maryland's Cross Island Trail spans Kent Island, east to west, in Queen Anne's County, providing multiple points of access to everything from libraries and schools to ball fields and the waterfront....

Indian Creek Trail (MD)

MD - 1.5 miles

Maryland's Indian Creek Trail is one of the shorter components of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, but it serves as a vital link between the town of Berwyn Heights, Maryland, and scenic Lake...

Sligo Creek Trail

MD - 10.2 miles

The Sligo Creek Trail parallels the eponymous waterway from its confluence with the Northwest Branch in Hyattsville to just north of its origin in Wheaton in Montgomery County. Along the way, a number...

Custis Trail

VA - 4 miles

The Custis Trail is a popular urban route that links Virginia's D.C. suburbs with the District itself, connecting to both the W&OD Railroad Regional Park Trail at the latter's 4-mile marker and the...

Strawberry Lake Way Bicycle Path

MD - 2.2 miles

The Strawberry Lake Way Bicycle Path is a 2.2 mile trail that is located between Laurel and Annapolis in Anne Arundel County Maryland. The trail starts at Piney Orchard Elementary School, and ends at...

Eisenhower Avenue Trail

VA - 2 miles

Although it parallels Eisenhower Avenue, this paved pathway is not without its charms. On its west end, Alexandria's Eisenhower Avenue Trail begins in Hensley Park, which offers plentiful parking and...

Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail

DC - 7 miles

Washington, D.C.'s Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail links some of the District's dozens of Civil War era forts (now national parks) that were built to defend the city from attack by the southern...

Holmes Run Trail

VA - 5.2 miles

The Holmes Run Trail offers a scenic pathway through the heart of a busy residential area in Alexandria and adjoining Fairfax County, both suburbs of Washington, D.C. The trail, which is divided into...

Accordion

Marvin Gaye Trail

DC - 1.9 miles

The Marvin Gaye Trail offers a paved pathway through the Deanwood, Burville, Lincoln Heights, and Hillbrook neighborhoods of Washington, DC. Just shy of 2 miles, it runs from Minnesota Avenue NE, near...

Suitland Parkway Trail

DC - 1.7 miles

The Suitland Parkway trail is a short paved multi-use path that runs adjacent to Suitland Parkway in SE D.C. to the border with Maryland. Proposed construction may extend the trail to the Branch...

Ox Road Sidepath

VA - 11.5 miles

The Ox Road Sidepath is a paved trail that runs parallel to Ox Road/State Route 123 in Fairfax County. The trail runs from George Mason University's main Fairfax campus to just south of the former...

Three Notch Trail

MD - 13.1 miles

Southern Maryland's Three Notch Trail is a work-in-progress under the guidance of St. Mary's County and other stakeholders. When complete, the recreational trail will extend 28 miles along an...

Burke Lake Loop Trail

VA - 4.5 miles

The Burke Lake Loop Trail offers a nearly 5-mile route for a pleasant walk or bike, while enjoying the beautiful scenery around Burke Lake in Fairfax. Since the Burke Lake Loop Trail is within Burke...

Mount Vernon Trail

VA - 18 miles

The 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail is one of the Washington, D.C. Metro area's most popular trails. Just across the Potomac River from D.C. in Virginia, the trail links Theodore Roosevelt Island Park with...

Mary Washington Hospital Trail

VA - 0.75 miles

The Mary Washington Hospital Trail runs along the southeast border of the hospital center, proving a pleasant stroll or gentle bike ride for hospital visitors and patients.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

DC,MD - 184.5 miles

Following the Potomac River, the C&O Canal Towpath traverses the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park for 184.5 miles between Georgetown in Washington, D.C., and Cumberland, Maryland. For...

Linton Hall Road Trail

VA - 5.4 miles

The Linton Hall Road Trail runs parallel to its namesake—also signed as State Route 619—in western Prince William County. More utilitarian than scenic, the trail acts as a transportation route for...

Lord Fairfax Community College Connector Trail

VA - 0.3 miles

Opened in 2009, the short Lord Fairfax Community College Connector Trail extends from the parking lot of the junior college to its temporary endpoint in a scenic wildlife area. Eventually, an extended...

Virginia Central Railway Trail

VA - 4.5 miles

Situated midway between the nation’s capital and the Virginia capital of Richmond, the Virginia Central Railway Trail will one day offer more than 30 miles of trail from downtown Fredericksburg west...

Brentwood Levee Trail

MD - 0.9 miles

The Town of Brentwood is tucked between Mt Rainier & Hyattsville in Prince George's County, Maryland. This short stretch of paved trail sits on the crest of a levee along the south bank of the...

Trolley Line #9 Trail

MD - 1.5 miles

The first thing you may notice about the Trolley Line #9 Trail is the boardwalk that curves between the bluffs of massive rock. The granite was hand cut in the 1890s when the electric streetcar rails...

WB&A Trail

MD - 13.1 miles

Central Maryland's WB&A Trail occupies the former Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railway corridor—hence its name—for its entire route. The railroad operated electric commuter trains...

Rock Creek Park Trails

DC - 8.5 miles

Closure Notice: Beginning March 31, 2021, DDOT and the NPS will be working on a construction project that will impact much of the southern segment of the trail (between M Street and Broad Branch Road...

Rock Creek Trail (MD)

MD - 16 miles

Rock Creek Trail forms a winding path, at times narrow, through the urban greenway of Rock Creek Regional Park. The trail extends between Needwood Lake northeast of Rockville, MD, and the Washington,...

Northwest Branch Trail

MD - 7 miles

The Northwest Branch Trail—an integral part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System—runs between the Maryland towns of Hyattsville and Silver Spring, linking two bustling suburbs of Washington, D.C....

Patuxent Branch Trail

MD - 4.6 miles

The Patuxent Branch Trail is part of a 20-mile trail system over and around the rolling hills of Howard County that follows a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line along the Patuxent River. The...

Magruder Branch Trail

MD - 3.45 miles

This 3.45-mile paved trail follows the Magruder Branch creek, beginning at the Damascus Recreational Park on Kings Valley Road. It’s a relatively flat trail for most of its length, barring the steeper...

Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD)

VA - 45 miles

The Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) is one of suburban Washington, D.C.'s most popular rail-trails. The heavily used trail is frequented by commuters and recreationists alike, and is a...

Accordion

Harpers Ferry Railroad Bridge

MD,WV - 0.14 miles

This rail-with-trail bridge crosses the Potomac River near its confluence with the Shenandoah River, at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. A cantilevered section of the bridge allows pedestrian access...

Stringfellow Road Sidepath

VA - 3 miles

The Stringfellow Road Sidepath runs for three miles through Chantilly and Centreville in Northern Virginia's Fairfax County. The asphalt and concrete trail connects multiple neighborhoods to various...

Kent Island South Trail

MD - 5.8 miles

The Kent Island South Trail is one of two popular recreational trails (along with the Cross Island Trail) on Maryland's Kent Island, the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay. The trail runs parallel...

Burke VRE Trail

VA - 1.4 miles

Burke VRE Trail lies within Pohick Stream Valley Park and provides an important commuting and recreational corridor, connecting a shopping center, residential neighborhoods, and a Virginia Railway...

Lake Accotink Trail

VA - 4.5 miles

In Northern Virginia's suburban community of Springfield, Lake Accotink Park provides a wilderness escape amid the city surroundings. The 500-acre park features picnic areas, miniature golf, an...

Indian Creek Trail (MD)

MD - 1.5 miles

Maryland's Indian Creek Trail is one of the shorter components of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, but it serves as a vital link between the town of Berwyn Heights, Maryland, and scenic Lake...

Brentwood Levee Trail

MD - 0.9 miles

The Town of Brentwood is tucked between Mt Rainier & Hyattsville in Prince George's County, Maryland. This short stretch of paved trail sits on the crest of a levee along the south bank of the...

Capital Crescent Trail

DC,MD - 11 miles

The 11-mile Capital Crescent Trail follows the former route of the Georgetown Branch rail line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It begins in Silver Spring, Maryland, east of the Rock Creek Trestle,...

Henson Creek Trail

MD - 5.7 miles

The Henson Creek Trail is located in the southwestern portion of Prince George's County, Maryland, and connects the growing District of Columbia suburbs of Fort Washington and Oxon Hill with the...

Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

MD - 19.7 miles

The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail is one of the best hiking and biking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region. It allows for nearly 20 miles of flat travel, punctuated by a number of access points and an...

Ox Road Sidepath

VA - 11.5 miles

The Ox Road Sidepath is a paved trail that runs parallel to Ox Road/State Route 123 in Fairfax County. The trail runs from George Mason University's main Fairfax campus to just south of the former...

Anacostia River Trail

DC,MD - 20 miles

The Anacostia River Trail, sometimes referred to as the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, is an important component of the Capital Trails Coalition's plan to create an 800-mile network of multiuse trails...

Matthew Henson Trail

MD - 4.5 miles

The Matthew Henson Trail runs along a paved surface (rough in places from tree roots) through a narrow band of forested green space between the Rock Creek Trail just south of Veirs Road and Alderton...

Paint Branch Trail (Montgomery County)

MD - 2.3 miles

Maryland is home to two Paint Branch Trails, this one in Montgomery County and another farther south in Prince George's County. This Paint Branch Trail offers a well-shaded, paved pathway...

Herring Run Trail

MD - 2.5 miles

Baltimore’s Herring Run Trail runs through scenic Herring Run Park, centered on a tributary of the Back River. The winding trail follows Herring Run through a woodlands environment so peaceful you're...

Bethesda Trolley Trail

MD - 4 miles

The Bethesda Trolley Trail—also known as the North Bethesda Trail—is a 4-mile path linking Bethesda and North Bethesda, primarily by bridging two major highways. The trail occupies the abandoned...

Recent Trail Reviews

Cross County Trail (VA)

Not for beginners

May, 2022 by pkasla

Avoid my mistake! Please read the reviews before you try this trail, which depending on what section you are on is a mixed bag of paved, single tracks, rocks, gravels, dirt, and exposed tree roots at . My number 1 complaint would be poorly marked sign. Sometimes the trail is just lost with no signs at all. I had to back track many places to find the signs. Even the signs are tiny with arrows in burgundy, not very visible. Why not bright red, yellow, or orange? Section in Fairfax City going south, starting at Jermantown Road is paved and the most beautiful once you get off the road at Pickett Road into the trail all the way to Springfield. Passing this point is Pohick, which I haven't got a chance to explore yet. Reading the reviews, I would expect as rough as the north section, which I tried over the weekend from W&OD entrance, passing through Reston, Vienna, and finally connects at Jermantown Road in Fairfax. To survive this section you need a hybrid bike at least, if not gravel or mountain bike. You are pretty much in the woods, following Difficult Run. Don't get hurt! Uber would not be able to find you in the woods. There are exposed tree roots, rocks, gravels, down trees, mud, and single track. Sometimes there is no bridge to cross the streams, no stepping stones either, so you would have to carry your bike skipping from rock to rock. I got fooled the previous weekend when I tried from Springfield to Fairfax and would expect the same in the north section. I have yet to explore the last northern section from W&OD to Great Falls and the southern most, from Pohick to the Occoquan. Now reading the reviews, I would expect as rough as the Reston section. Don't let the mileage mislead you. If you are in the rough sections, allow plenty of time as you don't want to get stuck in the woods in the dark. Notwithstanding the rough and poor signage, this trail is overall beautiful, wooded, nature bound with plenty to see. Enjoy!

BWI Trail

Nice clean ride

May, 2022 by sheilahalf1007

Found ourselves with nothing to do and came upon this ride. Easy to follow trail to you get around the city then signage lacking. Photo is when you come they a horse farm where you could take a break on the bench and watch the horses. Opportunity along the way to sit up high and have view of airport or beginning/end sit and watch the planes come over. We enjoyed it!

Savage Mill Trail

Great trail, nice and shady, and easy on the paws for your furry friends! Lots of side trails to explore and get down to the river to splash around.

May, 2022 by danielle.stcyr

Great trail, nice and shady, and easy on the paws for your furry friends! Lots of side trails to explore and get down to the river to splash around.

Accordion

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

C&O round trip

May, 2022 by andybeaire56

We did from Cumberland to DC then from DC back to Cumberland! August 2021 hot as hades in the high 90’s and thunderstorms! Had a blast! Camped the entire way except for 1 day at motel lol needed a shower! Awesome experience with a huge tunnel that we had to walk our bikes through like a mile ! Rode all over the DC area and visited many places ! DC is very bike friendly!

Mount Vernon Trail

One and done!!

May, 2022 by debbieotr

Was not really impressed with this trail, in need of a lot of repairs. Asphalt raised up causing large bumps messing up your bike, old boardwalks with loose boards and splintered wood. Sadly I have to compare it to a “ Park” anywhere! Only able to see the Washington monument from a distance

Capital Crescent Trail

The Maryland Goto for a Scenic Bike Ride

April, 2022 by ml14

They allow ebikes as long as one observes the speed limits and rides courteously. Being able to ride to the Mall in DC and back is great exercise too. Path users are courteous and the Pedego Ebike Rental Shop is great when you have guests who want to join you. Bethesda food is a nice reward after the ride too. A favorite trail!

Northeast Branch Trail

Es un sendero poco transitado, con tramos muy hermosos. Disfrute muchísimos caminarlo.

April, 2022 by atala_ch

Es un sendero poco transitado, con tramos muy hermosos. Disfrute muchísimos caminarlo.

Anacostia River Trail

Tranquilo y sencillo para caminar. El estar junto al río hace muy grata la caminata o paseo en bici.

April, 2022 by atala_ch

Tranquilo y sencillo para caminar. El estar junto al río hace muy grata la caminata o paseo en bici.

Mount Vernon Trail

One of America's most beautiful and worst-maintained trails

April, 2022 by bikeridesandbreweries

I live only blocks from this trail and I've been riding it sporadically for over 30 years. But each year, I ride it less often (maybe twice a summer?) and I get more and more frustrated by it. Only yards from the wide Potomac River most of the way, with inspiring views of the DC monuments, a string of lovely parks, and winding wooden boardwalks through the marshes, it really is stunning. The large number of pedestrians, joggers and other bikers on it at any given time is testament to its popularity. But therein lies the danger for bikers, especially: between tourists and others who have no idea of trail courtesy or safety, most rides include lots of screeching halts, unheeded calls of "ON YOUR LEFT!" and frightening encounters around blind turns. Then there are the untold number of root heaves that rattle bike and bones. These are the worst I've seen on any trail in America and make for white-knuckled and jarring rides. This 15-mile trail is so popular and pretty, it should have been widened and repaved by the National Park Service a decade ago. Bikers and walkers alike should be sadly wary of this national treasure.

Mount Airy Rail-Trail

Parked only to find a trail closed sign and some construction equipment on it. This is the center street end. The park end was blocked due to a long line of cars for a recycle event.

April, 2022 by mdwynnes

Parked only to find a trail closed sign and some construction equipment on it. This is the center street end. The park end was blocked due to a long line of cars for a recycle event.

Northwest Branch Trail

NOT a bike trail throughout

March, 2022 by rcoxdc

Starting at the south end, it's really quite a nice ride -- a paved surface in fairly reasonable shape, well-marked with a red centerline to help you find your way, winding through a mix of suburban and wooded areas as you make your way upstream.

But between NH Ave and the Beltway the paving ends quite suddenly. Despite the markings on the map, the paving does NOT pick back up again. If you have a pretty serious mountain bike with aggressive tires -- and an interest in wearing yourself out -- you might be able to keep going.

The map says this is a 7 mile trip. That may well be the case for the pavement, but the map then shows the trail goes on up to Wheaton and Layhill. The written description notes it's closed to bikes, but the map seems to suggest otherwise.

Maybe this trail should be broken into two parts to avoid confusion for folks like me! The hiking part is pretty rugged but quite beautiful . . .

Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

A rail-trail with a train and gnomes

March, 2022 by bikeridesandbreweries

The National Central Railroad Trail (aka Torrey C. Brown Tail) runs north-south and connects Hunt Valley, Maryland with York, Pennsylvania. It is approximately 45 miles in length and the terrain is completely flat. Once in Pennsylvania, the trail becomes the Heritage Rail Trail County Park. The NCR runs next to the Big Gunpowder Falls River and there are a fair number of rest stops with bathroom facilities, as well as benches and picnic tables, along the way.
There are numerous places to enjoy the river’s beautiful views and the sounds of rushing water. If you are hungry and want to stop, there are cafés in Monkton, MD, New Freedom and Glen Rock, Pa. Trail highlights include the Howard Tunnel, the NCR Train (a real old-timey train that follows the same route that carried President Lincoln to Gettysburg where he delivered his address) and smaller two-person rail cars on the tracks. Additionally, there are bridges, beautiful corn and wheat fields and mile after mile of actual active railroad tracks. And, at the 11-mile mark north from Hunt Valley, there is Gnome Hill, a 10-foot high hill with hundreds of garden gnomes to check out. There is also a water and snack station at Gnome Hill. (Just watch out for deer crossing there.)
The trail is very well shaded and consists of a mix of crushed limestone and hard dirt. Even on 90-degree days, the temperature on the trial is extremely tolerable. Once you cross into Pennsylvania and approach York, there are large sections that are paved. The trail can be accessed from several locations with parking lots in Hunt Valley, Sparks, Monkton, Parkton, New Freedom and elsewhere. Foot traffic can be heavy on the weekends particularly between Hunt Valley and Sparks, and again North of Monkton for two miles.
There is a popular brewery not far from the trail in Parkton, MD.

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