Riding the Trails in Maryland
While one of the smallest states in geographical land area, Maryland is a beautiful one with a wide range of forests, hills and state parks suitable for riding. It’s also got a lot of interesting terrain, from marshy swampland to the foothills of the Appalachians, dunes on the beaches, pine groves and more. Here’s a small sampler of great places to ride.
If you’re near Baltimore, and are looking for a nice ride that’s long, but not too challenging, check out the Northern Central Railroad Trail. It starts with a mild climb, and it’s a great family ride or beginner’s ride, with lots of scenery but no hills that will make people think you’re nuts. It’s got a lot of interesting stopping places for breaks, and don’t forget your camera. It can get a bit crowded in certain spots, but it’s navigable.
Hagerstown is our next stop, with the Green Ridge trail state forest. There are some challenging trails, but most are beginner friendly, and there’s over 20 miles of them to choose from. Most are well maintained single and double wide tracks, and the terrain variety is pretty broad, to keep things interesting.
One of the hidden gems of Maryland is the Fair Hill Equestrian Center. It’s close to Wilmington and runs against the Delaware border. As a horseback course, the trails are well maintained, and there’s a $2 map of the entire network. Watch out for the occasional road apple and remember that horses have the right of way. For challenges, there are creek crossings, hills, logs, and lots of twists and turns.
Cedarville State Park near Washington D.C. is an 8-mile loop that is mostly flat so you can build up quite a bit of speed. There are several trails that shoot off, but each is well-marked and color-coded. There is a $3 fee for riding but it’s worth it to enjoy some great riding!
One of the more picturesque destinations for offroad cycling is the Haystack Railroad Trail near LaVale. It’s definitely geared for experienced riders, but allows you to ride over some of the railroad courses cut into the hills in the mid 1800s, some of which have gotten very overgrown, but there are still noticeable track beds to ride in. There are some serious adrenaline rush downhill descents. Do keep an eye out for other riders; this course is also used by motorcyclists.
Lexington Park is the host to Saint Mary’s River Park, with a bit of riding and course work for everyone. It’s got 8 miles of technical challenges to ride over, with short hard climbs, lots of mud, roots and tight turns. It’s a serious workout - there’s also a slightly easier side course for people who want something that’s a bit less of a thighburner. This trail is closed from December through the beginning of March, and it’s a mudpit earlier in the season.
Maryland’s small land area conceals a huge variety of terrain. It’s got a lot of diverse challenges for you to ride over, and is really a microcosm of the kinds of terrain experienced throughout the country. It’s a mountain biker’s dream, and the trails above are a great place to get started.
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