Best Bike and Rail Trails in Maryland
Updated November 2026
Maryland’s most popular bike trails near Baltimore are former rail lines with gentle grades: the Torrey C. Brown (NCR) Rail Trail in northern Baltimore County, the B&A Trail from Glen Burnie toward Annapolis, and the BWI Trail loop around the airport. For longer trips, the C&O Canal Towpath runs 184.5 miles along the Potomac.
Trails near Baltimore
| Trail | Where | Length | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torrey C. Brown (NCR) Rail Trail | Ashland (Hunt Valley) to the Pennsylvania line | About 20 miles | Crushed stone |
| B&A Trail | Glen Burnie to Annapolis area | About 13 miles | Paved |
| BWI Trail | Loop around BWI Airport, Linthicum | About 12.5 miles | Paved |
| Gwynns Falls Trail | Leakin Park to the Inner Harbor | About 15 miles | Paved and natural |
| Jones Falls Trail | Inner Harbor to Mount Washington | About 10 miles | Paved |
| Grist Mill Trail | Patapsco Valley State Park | About 2 miles | Paved |
| Ma & Pa Trail | Bel Air and Forest Hill | About 6 miles in sections | Crushed stone |
Lengths are approximate and change as trail extensions open.
Trails near Columbia and Annapolis
Columbia pathways
Columbia’s planned community includes more than 90 miles of paved paths linking its villages, lakes and village centers. See our Columbia guide.
WB&A Trail
A paved rail trail from Odenton toward Bowie and Glenn Dale, crossing the Patuxent River.
Annapolis and Poplar trails
Shorter paved routes connect neighborhoods near Annapolis and Arnold to the B&A Trail.
Long-distance rides
C&O Canal Towpath
A 184.5-mile towpath from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland in Western Maryland, run by the National Park Service.
Great Allegheny Passage
Continues from Cumberland about 150 miles to Pittsburgh, making a 335-mile trail with the C&O.
York County Heritage Rail Trail
Continues north from the end of the NCR Trail into Pennsylvania toward York.
Planning your ride
The NCR Trail is busy on summer weekends with tubers and walkers near Monkton. Baltimore is building the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network, a planned loop of about 35 miles that will link existing city trails. For maps and closures, check the Maryland DNR and your county’s parks department. Communities near the trails include Monkton, Hunt Valley, Severna Park, Glen Burnie and Linthicum Heights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bike trail near Baltimore?
The Torrey C. Brown (NCR) Rail Trail is the most popular, with about 20 miles of crushed-stone trail from Hunt Valley to the Pennsylvania line. The paved B&A Trail and BWI Trail are good choices for road bikes.
Is the B&A Trail paved?
Yes. The B&A Trail is a paved rail trail of about 13 miles between Glen Burnie and the Annapolis area, passing through Severna Park.
How long is the C&O Canal Towpath?
The C&O Canal Towpath is 184.5 miles long, running from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland.
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Sources: Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks; Baltimore City Department of Transportation; National Park Service, C&O Canal National Historical Park; Columbia Association. Hours, fees and conditions change, so check with each park or venue before you go.