Overview
Connecting Union Station, historic D.C. neighborhoods, and the bustling beltway town of Silver Spring, the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) weaves connectivity, post-industrial renewal, and outdoor fun into the urban fabric of the nation capital's dynamic northeastern quadrant. The paved 11-ft wide trail traverses 7.9 miles through D.C. and the Maryland suburbs.
Serving thousands of commuters and recreation-seekers alike, the trail is home to vibrant artwork and a series of revolving murals. Following active rapid transit, freight, and intercity rail lines, users of this rail-with-trail can dabble in train spotting while enjoying safe, off-road access to local attractions, businesses, and residential areas.
Parts of the MBT follow active rail lines including the Amtrak Corridor and WMATA subway system. The trail and rail are separated by a fence and each railroad crossing features warning signals.
About the Route
The Metropolitan Branch Trail’s northern endpoint is in Silver Spring, Maryland, at King St and Fenton St. Heading south, the trail heads to Upper Portal Park, meeting the D.C.-Maryland line. Here, an on-road segment carries the trail through a series of turns through the Takoma (D.C.) neighborhood. Refer to the TrailLink map for specific details.
After crossing underneath the Red Line tracks on Van Buren Avenue, the trail turns south on 3rd Avenue NW. Here, trail users can find several recreational facilities at the Takoma Community Center, including tennis courts, an indoor pool, and sports fields. Further south on 3rd Ave NW is Fort Slocum Park featuring a slice of civil war history.
At Gallatin St. NW, the trail maintains an on-road segment east until the Fort Totten Metro stop. Here the trail resumes off-road, heading south along the rail tracks, towards Catholic University of America. At the Brookland-CUA Metro, the trail makes another on-road segment from Monroe St NE to Franklin St NE. The 0.5 mile on-road stretch, called the Arts Walk, features galleries, studios, and Monroe Street Market, with an array of eateries shops. South of Franklin Street, a skating rink, cinema, and brewery are just off the trail.
At the Rhode Island Ave–Brentwood Metro station, the trails follows a pedestrian bridge, a major milestone for both the trail’s development, and for pedestrian access to the Metro station. South of Rhode Island Ave, the trail passes a concentration of murals as it comes to Alethia Tanner Park, which includes a playground, a dog park, plaza areas, and gardens.
Passing under New York Ave NW, the trail continues south along the western side of the rail corridor, through NoMa to L St NE. Here, it crosses over east under the railway, before immediately heading south along 2nd St NE. At 2nd St NE and G St NE, the trail hooks behind a building, before skirting the east side of Union Station towards its front edifice. The Metropolitan Branch Trail’s southern endpoint is at Union Station’s front entrance.
Connections
The trail is a key segment of the developing 800-mile Capital Trails Coalition network, a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy TrailNation project that aims to connect the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region by multiuse trail.
Trail History
The trail follows a former piece of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O)’s Metropolitan Branch. In 1830, The B&O was the first railroad for public passenger service in the U.S. The Metropolitan Branch opened in 1873.
The railway is still in use by its owner CSX, along with the MARC commuter rail, and Amtrak trains going between Washington D.C. and Chicago. The railways for Washington Metro’s Red Line, built in the 1970s, parallel much of the corridor between Union Station and Silver Spring.
The idea for a rail-trail along the Metropolitan Branch was proposed in 1988 by Patrick Hare, a Brookland resident and biking enthusiast. He enlisted RTC’s help to make the case. Construction began in 1998, and the first segment opened that same year.
Please use this form to notify us of any changes or updates that we need to make to the trail information on TrailLink for this trail. RTC staff will review your submission and contact you if there is any need for further clarification.
