Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Rail-Trail Page! The map below shows the location of various Rail-to-Trail projects in the Mid-Atlantic Area. To find out more about the trails, simply move your mouse to each trail on the map. Click on the trails for detailed information. If you don't have a fancy browser, you can follow these links for a list of
Baltimore/Washingtion and Mid-Atlantic Trails
Looking for more?Check out the Bike Washington Here you can find the Visitor's Guide, Biking the C&O Canal, and many other bike routes. What is a Rail Trail? A Rail Trail is a recreational path which has been built in the right-of-way of an abandoned railroad. As a result of the Interstate Highway System, tens of thousands of miles of railroads have been abandoned over the past several decades. While some of these railroads have become rail trails, many of these right-of-ways are now being considered for conversion to some sort of "green way" or recreation path. Typically, the rails and ties are removed and then the surface is improved to allow hiking ,biking, rollerblading, and/or horseback riding. Rail trails can be great for biking and blading because railroads are designed to have very small grades, thus the resulting rail trail is nearly all flat. Also, in many situations, the right-of-ways exist in undeveloped areas away from the the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, it should be noted that all rail trails are not created equal. While some trails have been paved or had some type of surface improvement, other trails may remain in a "original ballast" condition which is typically muddy and rocky (not suitable for blading or skinny tires!). For more information on Rail Trails, check out the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. |
Northern Central Trail
York County Heritage Trail
Surface: Crushed Limestone
An excellent trail running south from York, PA to Cockysville, MD near Baltimore. In Pennsylvania, the trail runs parallel to a working excursion railroad.
Ghost Town Trail
Length: 25 MilesSurface: Crushed Limestone
Very cool trail north of Johnstown, between Dilltown and Nanty Glo, PA. Passes through several abandoned mining towns.
Great Allegheny Passage
Length: 150 MilesSurface: Crushed Limestone
Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh, PA. Includes some cool landmarks
Great Allegheny Passage
Length: 150 MilesSurface: Crushed Limestone
Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh, PA. Includes some cool landmarks
C & O Towpath
Length: 184 MilesSurface: Mixed Clay/Crushed Stone
Technically not a rail-trail, this former canal towpath is a must see! The towpath follows the Potomac River Valley between Georgetown and Cumberland, MD
Capital Crescent Trail
Length: 11 MilesSurface: Asphalt/Crushed Limestone
Extremely popular trail between Georgetown and Silver Spring. Includes the new Georgetown Branch Extension.
Western Maryland Rail Trail
Length: 22 MilesSurface: Asphalt
Excellent trail with mid-point at Hancock, MD. Great for inline skating.
Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail
Length: 25 MilesSurface: Cinder
Very scenic trail between Jim Thorpe, PA and White Haven, PA along the Lehigh River. Unusual black cinder trail surface is a bit less refined than other area trails, but still quite easy to bike.
North Bend Rail Trail
Length: 72 MilesSurface: Clay / Crushed Limestone / Original Ballast
A neat trail across northern WV continues to expand and improve. Twelve tunnels and easy access from I-77 and I-79.
Virginia Creeper Trail
Length: 34 MilesSurface: Crushed Gravel / Original Ballast
A truly great trail between Abingdon, VA and the NC State Line. Great trestle crossings and cliff hugging trails make this a very memorable ride.
New River Trail
Length: 57 MilesSurface: Crushed Limestone
This fairly recent trail runs between Pulaski, VA and Fries, VA along the New River Valley.
Greenbriar River Trail
Length: 78 MilesSurface: Crushed Gravel / Original Ballast
Relatively primitive trail between Caldwell, WV and Cass, WV along the Greenbriar River
Baltimore and Annapolis Trail
Length: 13 MilesSurface: Asphalt
A very popular trail between Annapolis and Glen Burnie. Nestled between Route 2 and the Severn River, this trail cuts through mostly suburban and urban terrain. Now connects with the BWI trails around the BWI Airport area.
Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail
Length: 6 MilesSurface: Asphalt
Not to be confused with the B&A, the first 6 mile segment is now open between Lahnam, MD and the Patuxent River. Future segments will eventually extend the trail to 22 miles.
Metropolitan Branch Trail
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Length: ? MilesSurface: Asphalt
A brand new trail under development between Silver Spring and Union Station. It will run next to the Metrorail Red Line, and eventually become part of the "Bicycle Beltway". First mile now open next to Catholic University.
Washington and Old Dominion
Length: 45 MilesSurface: Asphalt
Extremely popular trail through Northern Virginia's high tech corridor to the horse county west of Leesburg.