Trails in Maryland - Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Trails provide many economic benefits to local communities and create a wide range of jobs, from B&B's to bike shops. They also help tell the wonderful stories of Maryland and its rich history. And hiking and bicycle trails are for the whole family. They make us all healthier and happier while opening up the natural world around us.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently working closely with the National Park Service, the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration, Department of Planning, Office of Tourism, local governments, trail groups, and volunteer citizens on a wide assortment of trails throughout the state.
Check out some of the cool trails we are working on:
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The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST)
DNR is partnering with the Potomac Heritage Trail Association and the National Park Service to evaluate an alignment for hiking between Point Lookout State Park and Marshall Hall, potentially connecting 11 DNR-managed lands, including Chapman’s Landing (Chapman State Park), Smallwood State Park, Chicamauxen WMA, Nanjemoy Natural Resource Management Area, Wilson Farm, Purse State Park, Chapel Point State Park (on Port Tobacco River), Cedar Point (1,737 acres), New Towne Neck (776 acres) and St. Inigoes (985 acres). A natural-surface, mostly off-road trail in the Potomac River corridor, if feasible, would be a significant part of a multi-use trail network between the Chesapeake Bay and two northern termini—Point State Park in Pittsburgh and the northern terminus of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail near Johnstown.
Garrett Trails
Governor O'Malley has put $300,000 in his proposed budget for trail design and environmental upgrades on state lands in Garrett County. DNR recently finalized a Trail License Agreement with Garrett Trails in Western Maryland for the proposed Meadow Mountain section of the Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail (ECDL), from I-68 to just south of Frank Brennerman Road.
The ECDL will eventually connect to the Greater Allegheny Passage (GAP) in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania and run through Savage River State Forest, Deep Creek Lake, Oakland, Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls State Park, Friendsville, and then back into the GAP at Confluence, PA.
The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) and the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) are also assisting Garrett Trails in building sustainable mountain bike trails on The Wisp and closing rogue (illegal) trails throughout the county.
Western Maryland Rail Trail Phase IV
The Maryland Department of Transportation and State Highway Administration have appropriated funds through the Transportation Enhancement Program to add another 4.7 miles to the 20-mile-long Western Rail Trail that is managed by DNR and currently runs from historic Ft. Frederick State Park, through the town of Hancock, and ending along the Potomac River at the forgotten canal town of Pearre. Over 135,000 visitors rode this very popular trail last year.
The new trail extension will bypass the 106-year-old Indigo Tunnel located ten miles southwest of Hancock, MD within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. This abandoned railroad tunnel is one of the largest and still healthy hibernaculums, or roosts, in the state and is home to five species of bats including the Eastern Small-footed bat listed by Maryland as endangered and the Indiana bat on the federal endangered species list. In order to reduce any chance of introducing White Nose Syndrome which has decimated bat populations along the eastern seaboard, the trail will bypass the tunnel.
The National Park Service is the lead on this project and is currently conducting an environmental assessment. The public is welcome to comment. For more information: http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/578996/Trail-focus-of-meeting.html?nav=5006
The September 11th National Memorial Trail
The September 11th National Memorial Trail is a planned 1,140-mile on-road and off-road trail connecting the three 9/11 memorial sites in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa. The trail will be a tribute to all those that perished in America's single worse terrorist attack and serve as a symbol of the resiliency and character of the communities in which the victims and their families lived and worked. The patriotic volunteers at the Memorial Trail Alliance are hoping to create a multi-use, hiking, biking, and driving pilgrimage that will officially be designated by the federal government as a national trail. The Maryland segment, running along the C&O Canal Trail, is already in place all the way to Cumberland and beyond.
W3R Trail
The Washington-Rochambeau was designated a National Historic Trail in 2009, and follows the rambling route taken by General George Washington's Continental Army and French soldiers led by General Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau, starting in Newport, Rhode Island and ending in Yorktown, Virginia where British General Cornwallis surrendered. The Maryland segment of what is primarily a driving trail will include army encampments at Head of the Elk River, Lower Ferry, Bushtown, White Marsh, Baltimore, Annapolis, Scot's House, Spurrier's Tavern, Snowden's Iron Works, Bladensburg, and Georgetown. There will be an official National Park Service website up and running in early 2012, followed by Facebook and Twitter presence, and a blog for highlighting events, stories, and interactive discussion.
Like the flowers of spring, all sorts of interesting and colorful trails are popping up all over the state, from Chesapeake City up near the Delaware Line to way down in St. Mary's County at the mouth of the Potomac River, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is proud to help provide new and rewarding recreational opportunities for our citizens and visitors alike. So now that winter is over and spring is back in town, enjoy a Maryland trail. It's guaranteed to make your day!
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