Rec and Sports

Maryland Biking Hot Spots

Maryland is a beautiful state with lots of state parks and forests, perfect for miles of fantastic riding. There is a variety of terrain–marshy swampland, rugged mountains, sandy dunes, thick pine groves and forests. The ground is more sandy and muddy than the other rockier New England states. Here are some of the best places in the state 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.

Another premier destination is the Fair Hill Equestrian Center, which is just outside of Wilmington, near the Delaware border. With 25 miles of trails, it’s a landmark worth running through, and a map of the entire trail network can be had for $2. The trails have a lot of variety, with different degrees of difficulty. There are creek crossings, hills, logs, roots and more. It can be beautiful – it can also be a mess. When you’re done with the trail you’ll be glad of the experience, and need to do some laundry.

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!

If you still like riding on railroad cuts, we can recommend the Haystack Railroad Trail near LaVale. Fair warning – this is for experienced riders only, as it’s got some steep cuts and a lot of hard trails. Motorcycles use these trails as well, so keep an eye peeled and your ears ready; this area is getting slowly built up as an outdoor recreation area, so check back regularly for new trails.

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 variety of terrain makes it a rich environment for off road cycling. It’s been called America in Miniature, and it’s a biker’s dream. The trails listed are just the beginning of what you can explore, so happy trails!

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