Cycling Baltimore, Gwynns Falls Trail
By Donald Crowson, Jacksonville Bicycle Travel Examiner A ride on the Gwynns Falls Trail is a must for bicycle travelers exploring Baltimore. This wonderful trail provides cyclists a great way to enjoy and learn about the Chesapeake Bay watershed, its history and the interesting parks and neighborhoods it travels through.
Refer to the separate article, Cycling Baltimore, cycle rental shops near downtown and Inner Harbor for maps, information and featured cycle rental shops near Inner Harbor and downtown.
The ride starts at the Visitor Center, at Inner Harbor (see Google Map for route) continues along Light St, through the Federal Hill district, under I395 on Hamburg St and past the Camden MARC railway station M&T Stadium and until crossing the railroad tracks on Ridgely St. On Bavard St. the ride passes the first of a series of creative Gwynns Falls Trail murals (see slide show below).
After a left on Washington and past Carroll Park, a former plantation, the ride embarks on its first off road section and portion of the trail along Gwynns Falls. Past Carroll Park Golf Course and a neat ‘Love’ mural, the ride crosses, via several trail bridges, the former site of the Carrollton Viaduct. Disembarking your cycle at Wilkens Ave, cross the street and the bridge and continue off road again through a small high hilled park where basketball courts and a public pool once stood (the pool was built in 1910 after Gwynns Falls became too polluted for swimming - see informative signboard, one of many along route). Off and back on the off-road trail at Frederick Ave, the ride travels along the Ellicott Driveway. It once carried water for the Ellicott flower-milling complex, thus lending to the districts name, Mill Hill. After another on-off road segment, the ride passes under the Baltimore Street Bridge and past several dramatic waterfalls before arriving at Leon Day Park, where a water fountain and restrooms are.
After traveling on Franklin Rd, the ride starts its Gwynns Falls / Leakin Park portion where the path becomes a dirt road where samples of wildlife and fauna can be experienced. This ride’s turn around point, a high hilltop and former retreat of some sort offers a quiet resting place before your return. There are many other paths to enjoy in the park and if you have the time, explore.
For a yummy meal after your ride check out Kiku Sushi on light street for some expertly prepared miso and sashimi.
As always, read the safety article [or better yet, look over our links for safety] and be prepared to lose yourself in the splendor of Gwynns Falls Trail.