Best Hikes Baltimore: The Greatest Views, Wildlife, and Waterfalls

by Heather Sanders Connellee

Overview

It’s not necessary to travel far from home for a great hike. With these information-packed guides in hand, readers have everything they need for the adventure they seek, from an easy nature walk to a multiday backpacking trip. Each hike includes: location, length, hiking time, level of difficulty, and if dogs can come along. Other features include:

• Trail finder chart that categorizes each hike (e.g. for particular attractions such as scenic views and if it’s suitable for families with kids)
• Full-color photos throughout
• Information on the area’s history, geology, flora, and fauna
• Full-color maps of each trail

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493038695
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/01/2019
Series:	Best Hikes Near Series
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,023,579
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Born and raised in Baltimore, Heather Connellee is the former trail programs manager for American Hiking Society, editor and writer for numerous outdoor and travel publications, and an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. She lives in Harford County, Maryland, with her husband, Grant.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments viii

Introduction ix

Weather x

Safety and Preparation x

Ten Essentials of Hiking xi

Leave No Trace xii

How to Use This Guide xiii

Difficulty Ratings xiii

Hike Selection xiv

Trail Finder xv

Map Legend xix

The Hikes

1 Baltimore Waterfront Promenade: Canton Waterfront Park to Fells Point 1

2 Fon McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine: Seawall Trail 5

3 Gwynns Falls Trail 11

4 Lake Roland 14

5 Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. South Wind Trail 20

6 Patapsco Valley State Pack: Switchback and McKeldin Rapids Loop 25

7 Patapsco Valley State Park: Orange Avalon Loop 29

8 Soldiers Delight: Serpentine Trail 33

9 Soldiers Delight: Choate Mine Loop 37

10 Double Rock Park: Yellow Loop 41

11 Oregon Ridge: Loggers Red and Ivy Hill / S. James Campbell Yellow Loop 45

12 Loch Raven Reservoir: Merryman Trail 52

13 Loch Raven Reservoir: Jessops Circuit with Spur 56

14 Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail (NCR): Paper Mill to Monkton 60

15 Gunpowder: Lost Pond Trail 65

16 Gunpowder: Wildlands Sweathouse Loop 70

17 Big Gunpowder Trail: Belair Road to Harford Road 76

18 Gunpowder: Jerusalem Village with Jericho Covered Bridge 81

19 Gunpowder: Bunker Hill and Mingo Fork Loop 86

20 Gunpowder: Panther Branch Loop 91

21 Gunpowder: North and South Circuit 97

22 Gunpowder: Highland Loop 105

23 Gunpowder: Sweet Air Loop 108

24 Gunpowder: Pleasantville and Bottom Loop 113

25 Little Gunpowder Trail: Sherwood Loop 118

26 Prettyboy Reservoir: Hemlock Gorge 123

27 Prettyboy reservoir: Gunpowder Loop 127

28 Rocks State Park: Falling Branch 132

29 Rocks State Park: Midden Valley 136

30 Rucks State Park: White Trail Loop 139

31 Ma & Pa Heritage Trail 144

32 Susquehanna State Park: LSHG to the Trestle Bridge 148

33 Susquehanna Stare Park Loop 153

34 Elk Neck State Park: Lighthouse Trail 158

35 Elk Neck State Park: Beaver Marsh Loop 162

36 Fair Hill NRMA: Orange Loop 167

37 Hashawha Environmental Appreciation Area: Perimeter Loop 172

38 Appalachian Trail: Gathland State Park to Harpers Ferry 177

39 Sugarloaf Mountain: Northern Peaks and Mountain Loop 183

40 Billy Goat Trail Section A 188

Honorable Mentions

A Baltimore & Annapolis Trail (B&A Trail) 193

B BWI Trail 193

C Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park 194

D Centennial Park 194

E Cylburn Arboretum 195

F Downs Memorial Park 196

G Eden Mill Park, Nature Center, and Museum 196

H Federal Hill Park 197

I Liberty Reservoir Watershed 197

J Patterson Park 197

K Rock Creek Park 198

L Savage Park 198

Appendix: Clubs and Trail Groups 200

About the Author 201