Places to Go Biking

Pedal the Great Allegheny Passage, featured in National Geographic’s “Top Ten Fall Trips in the World.” Stunningly beautiful and stretching 159 miles from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, the Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail uses historic tunnels, viaducts and bridges for a smooth, mostly flat journey through the Appalachian Mountains and friendly small towns of Western Maryland. If you have a longer bike trip on your mind ride toward Cumberland to continue on the C&O Canal Towpath.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, also known as the “Grand Old Ditch,” was built to connect the country. Today, it’s a biker’s paradise with 184 miles of trail, running from Cumberland to Washington D.C. Ride toward Hancock and through the Paw Paw Tunnel, then stop in Sharpsburg to explore Antietam National Battlefield, known for the battle that led to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

For those looking to break a sweat, Green Ridge State Forest is home to the top mountain biking trails in Maryland. Explore the open trails or, for the more advanced rider, take the 12-mile Mountain Bike Trail, complete with stream crossings, steep inclines and fast descents. 

Explore Fort Washington Park on two wheels and ride through the 200-year-old stone fort built to protect Washington, D.C. Plan your trip around one of the artillery demonstrations and other reenactments at the site and then stay to explore more in the Capital Region.

Set atop Wisp Mountain, Adventure Sports Center International is for the thrill-seekers. Find endless outdoor adventure from whitewater rafting to climbing to scenic Maryland biking trails around the 550-acre Fork Run Recreation area in McHenry.

The Seneca Creek State Park features more than 50 miles of well-kept trails running along the scenic creek and around Clopper Lake. There’s no shortage of interesting stops along this route, like the 1815 Black Rock Mill and the Seneca Schoolhouse, a small Civil War era school built with the same signature red Seneca Sandstone used to build the Smithsonian Institution’s Castle. 

Inside Gunpowder Falls State Park, the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail is a shaded crushed stone trail that follows the bed of the former Northern Central Railway all the way to the Pennsylvania border. Along the trail’s 20 miles, catch views of picturesque farms and stop at the refurbished train station in Monkton, a must-stop for visitors who want to learn the history of the trail, grab a quick bite or visit the nearby bike shop. 

Take the Gwynns Falls Trail to travel through urban parks, past more than 30 neighborhoods and notable landmarks throughout Baltimore. This quickly-changing trail covers 15 miles and passes by the Baltimore Ravens’ home stadium and the National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor.

A series of trails runs through and around Jefferson Patterson Park, which is home to the state’s archaeology museum. Take a casual ride through the park, enjoy a picnic, then stop by the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory, which serves as the clearinghouse for artifacts uncovered throughout the state.

Saint Mary’s River State Park is home to freshwater fishing and some of the best bird-watching in the state. A main 7.5-mile trail loops around the lake.

On the Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park has it all: pristine beaches, wild horses, majestic waterfowl and cycling trails that weave through it all.. Camp on the island to explore nature and enjoy views from the beach to the bay, or stay in nearby Ocean City.

Tucked in the northeast tip of Maryland, the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area may be best known for its ties to horses and equestrian sports, but you can also find an approximately 80-mile trail system there that offers some of the best mountain biking in Maryland.

 Have an adventure on the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, comprising more than 60 miles of paved trails that connect to the nation’s capital.  Cyclists may begin at Lake Artemesia in College Park and ride the 5.2 miles to Bladensburg Waterfront Park, where they can rent a kayak or take a boat tour on the Anacostia River.. Bike riders can continue another 7 miles to downtown Washington, D.C. on the Anacostia River Trail.

Patapsco Valley State Park is Maryland’s oldest state park, founded in 1907. It is famous for its challenging mountain biking trails among rough, hilly terrain. But the paved Grist Mill Trail along the Patapsco River in the valley provides a gentle grade perfect for a more relaxing ride. Casual riders can also check out the Alberton Road Trail. This trail with scenic views of the river visits the site of a historic textile mill. Come prepared to get muddy!

This popular route along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor offers a chance to pedal through historic and cultural sites. The distance from the Inner Harbor to McHenry is 3.2 miles one way, making for a nice out-and-back excursion. Be prepared for lots of pedestrian trail-users and some uneven, brick surfaces.

Cruise three miles of shops, restaurants and attractions along the boardwalk in Ocean City. While the boardwalk is officially open 24-hours year round, hours for biking are limited to the morning during the summer season due to the popularity for tourists.

Near Frederick, Gambrill State Park features 16 miles of trails for biking, as well as hiking and horseback riding. The relatively steep terrain in this region means that the rides are more advanced. Check out the Black Locust Trail to see a variety of landscapes from from wooded forests to rocky scenic overlooks.