Explore the best rated trails in Elkton, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Elephant Swamp Trail and Heritage Trail (PA) . With more than 148 trails covering 571 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.
Definitely not for biking the whole way, but nice for a short hike. Good view of the river! Without looking at the map, we took the steeper right trail at the first marked intersection that just showed it going to the overlook. That side trail is confusing without a map, as we ended up in a dead end without a view and had to backtrack a little and then the path ended up on the main trail. If you don't want to have to climb over a very short section of rocks at the end to see the western view, this path wouldn't be for you.
We have ridden the section that connects with the Schuylkill River Trail several times and that section is fine. We went to ride the other two sections. First we stopped at the Hopewell Furnace Visitor's Center. there is lots of parking and clean rest rooms, however we could not find the trail. We asked a park ranger and he directed us to the trail. It was down a steep hill covered with large stones (for biking over) followed by an unmarked turn. Finally there was a sign and the trail was wide and paved most of the way to the pool where we turned around although a wide gravel path continued on. Next we drove to Elverson and rode that section of trail. Other than being short, part of the trail was little more than a single track.
The trail was nice and enjoyed the bird songs. I had started at the Northern trail head and heading south to MD border. The problem is the trail isn't well marked once I had made York. I had gotten lost and wasted a lot energy and looped around York trying to locate the southern Heritage Rail trail. Decided to head back, luckily my phone hadn't run out of charge.
All that being said I will try it again later this year.
Very nice trail around a municipal park with ball fields and playground, then continues on mostly through beautiful farms and fields. Sections of gravel and pavement, mostly flat. Good for families with children, either biking or walking with strollers.
Great Trail with a seemless connection to Delaware’s Michael Castle Trail Paved the entire route, and “car width” wide. Parking at the Chesapeake City end is under the MD213 bridge. (The new paved lot mentioned in previous reviews is for the restaurant). Make sure it is not windy on your ride day. The canal is very wide and there is no windbreak, so a good tailwind turns into a terrible headwind on the way back. There are a couple switchbacks to get elevation gain but those are only for about 50’ of gain. Ice Cream shop right of the trail in St.GeorgesDE.opens the end of April.
It is a very scenic rail trail. It is obviously well maintained and wide for a bike trail. As listed, it is hard packed gravel and dirt. I do not understand the negative complaints about the surface when it is clearly stated in the description. The minimum tire width for this type of trail is 32mm with 50 psi max. pressure. I ride 45 mm tires with 38 psi on this type of trail surface.
Trail was really nice and there was a lot of shade. It was pretty cool to see different types of trees with descriptions. However the end of the trail was flooded and had to walk back.
We rode from the I70 park and ride into Baltimore and then took the Jones Falls Trail up to Mt Washington and then back to I70.
While the Jones Falls Trail seems relatively well maintained, the Gwynns Falls Trail was not. Especially from the Carroll Park Golf Course to Edmonson Ave. There were at least 4 fallen trees laying across the trail that I believe had been there for a number of weeks based on reports from other riders. All sorts of debri covered the trails including tons of broken glass. And there's literally mountains of trash and dumped household items all along the trail.
The top part of the trail including the gravel sections were beautiful and I feel most of the trail could be a wonderful experience if it were better maintained and cleaned up.
Very nice ride. We parked at Green Lane and rode to Swenksville. Stopped at Perikomen Bicycle Shop along the trail, friendly staff. There is an ice cream shop along the trail too.
This trail is an absolute gem. I have trained for all my marathons here, and never failed to qualify for Boston. Mostly a very gentle grade up northbound with a few short hills to test your power. Generally shaded so it's still nice on a warm summer day. Low lying sections do flood after very heavy rain so be warned.
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