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4 Baltimore & Annapolis Trail

County

Anne Arundel

Endpoints

Jonas Green Park (Annapolis) to Dorsey Road (Glen Burnie)

Mileage

13.3

Type

Rail-Trail

Roughness Index

1

Surface

Asphalt

If you wish to augment your physical workout with some intellectual exercise, look no farther than the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail. The scenic, paved, 13.3-mile community trail is brimming with history lessons and boasts a solar system of information. The trail follows the route of the Annapolis & Baltimore Short Line, which started running freight and passenger service in 1887 and helped shape this suburban region near the nation’s capital. Today, the 112-acre linear park winds through parks, neighborhoods, and natural wooded areas.

The route passes the Marley Station shopping mall, for those looking for some retail therapy to accompany their trek. History buffs might want to stop in at the Earleigh Heights Ranger Station, circa 1889. The trail features several pocket parks along the way—charming, landscaped nooks with picnic tables and an open invitation to rest your feet for a spell. One such setting is Olde Severna Park, near the Park Plaza Shopping Center (intersection of Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard and West McKinsey Road), where local bike shop Pedal Pushers caters to trail riders with rentals—and the local pizza and frozen yogurt shops adjacent appeal to hungry passersby. The B&A takes its beautification seriously. Portions of the route are sponsored by volunteers who fill the flower beds and kiosks along the trail, lending it a colorful, seasonal flair.

Interesting art along the trail provides a good excuse for a short break.

Along the trail, you will find a literal alphabet of historical markers, from A to Z. The A marker, at mile 0.1, is the Winchester Station House at Manresa, near the Annapolis start of the trail. At mile 13.3, you will find the Z marker, identifying the Sawmill Branch, the area’s source of water and power in the early 18th century. To follow along with each marker, pick up a flier at the ranger station.

From the ranger station to Harundale Plaza, you will stroll or bike beside the Planet Walk, a linear museum with informative displays for the sun and each planet. The planets are true to scale and feature storyboards that teach about our solar system. The trail, and its educational opportunities, ends in the small town of Glen Burnie. But you may continue on the BWI Trail loop for an additional 12.5 miles around the Baltimore Washington International Airport.

CONTACT: aacounty.org/recparks/parks/trails/bandatrailpark.cfm or dnr.state.md.us/greenways/ba_trail.html

DIRECTIONS

The Annapolis trailhead is located off US 50 past the Severn River. Take Exit 27 and head south less than 0.25 mile toward the U.S. Naval Academy on MD 450. The parking lot for Jonas Green Park is on the right. Directions to the trail via an on-road bike lane are on the board near the entrance of the parking lot. The actual rail-trail begins at Boulters Way.

To reach the Glen Burnie trailhead, take US 50 east from Washington, D.C., to Exit 21, and follow I-97 north 42 miles. Take Exit 15 leading to MD 176 E/Dorsey Road. Continue on MD 176 for approximately 0.6 mile before turning right onto MD 648/Baltimore and Annapolis Blvd. At the first light (after 0.5 mile), take a right onto Crain Hwy. and then a right onto Central Ave. The parking lot is on the right and runs along the trail.