Explore the best rated trails in Hagerstown, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Shuster Way Heritage Trail and Fairfax County Parkway Trail . With more than 36 trails covering 4176 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.
That is Red Cut, not Red Rut. My husband says the best part of the trail is Red Cut. If you stand there long enough you can almost hear the trains coming. Make sure you read the plaque there.
Rode this trail today on our Giant Momentum E bikes. Started at beginning of trail in Everett, ended at Red Rut where the trail ends. 24 mile round trip. Trail was mostly fine gravel with grass in the middle. Some places gravel was slightly thick, but was not a problem for us at all. Goes through two towns towards the end section. Signs are easy to follow there. Follows along the Juanita river. However there is about a 2 mile or so section that is stone road. Would ride again if in the area.
Since my wife has 2 knee replacements, this spot is perfect. Maintenance is being performed (2024) so it is a little out of the norm. Trail runs along C&O towpath so switching is easy. Also eastern part close to facilities. Western part more remote. We love also the many parking areas available. Geocaches add to the adventure as well. Will return.
Rode from Cumberland to a parking area 23 miles outside of DC, camping at four of the campsites along the way. They have been doing a lot of work to improve the condition of this trail and it shows. Weather was perfect, but most sections seemed like they would still be pretty good even after some rain. There was one detour that was a tough push over really rocky roads for a few miles. Other than that, it was perfect.
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
On the way down we rode the rail trail. It’s was 90% trees and concrete path. Hancock was a cute little town tho and we stopped at the Blue Goose Market that was cute. We rode the tow path on the way back and I thought that was slightly better for the scenery. It was a gorgeous day to be out but I’ve been on better trail.
We parked at lock 38 by Shepardstown. Trail is well maintained and gorgeous. Many bikers, runners and walkers out.Note it is a trash free park.
Most of this trail is not along streets. We often ride this trail round trip from Ballenger Creek Park to the other end which is near Dunkin Donuts. We often see deer. There are two bridges over Ballenger Creek, and an underpass at New Design Road which keeps trail users away from traffic. There are a few air pump and tool stands along the trail. The western half mile is on sidewalk along the road, with traffic light protection for crossing.
The amazing smell of the flowers at the start of the trail would be worth another ride for that alone. (We started at Welty Road Park.) Lots of hills, definitely a workout, some shade and some sun. The creek is absolutely beautiful.
From Dupont Circle in DC out to Purcellville in VA is almost exactly 50 miles. So hard core cyclists can do a century, while less extreme pedalers can make a two day trip out of it. And, as there are many Metro stops along the trail, cyclists can also do rides of varying lengths along different sections. An amazingly versatile trail in that regard. All of which — plus the C&O Canal (360 miles r/t from DC to Cumberland), Mt Vernon Trail (42 miles rt from DC to Mt Vernon), Rock Creek Park trail (45 miles rt from DC to Lake Needwood) should make DC the top cycling destination in the US.
Whether a multi-day ride from DC 180 miles to Cumberland or individual day rides along the tow path next to the C&O canal, this trail is awesome. And now that much of it has been resurfaced to be crushed granite rather than just dirt, muddy rides will no longer be a problem after and during rains. One of the top 10 bucket list rides in the US, easily.
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