Greenway highlights in Maryland include the scenic Jones Falls Trail into Baltimore, the rural Torrey C. Brown trail north of Baltimore, and the B&A Trail leading delightfully to the port city of Annapolis.
Entering Maryland from the north at Newark, Delaware, the route heads west on road to connect a number of historic towns nestled along the northernmost reaches of the Chesapeake Bay, including Elkton, Charlestown, and Perryville, which is located right at the mouth of the Susquehanna River across the river from Havre de Grace.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER CROSSING OPTIONS: Biking between Perryville and Havre de Grace takes careful consideration and planning. Options are outlined below:
NOTE AS OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2020, the Harford Transit LINK Teal Line Route 7 bus service is operarting on a limited schedule. Check Harford County, MD Bus Routes page for updates // NO PEDESTRIAN access over the Hatem Bridge // MARC TRAIN access available only on weekdays between Perryville and Aberdeen stations, bikes can be carried onboard only on select MARC trains--check MARC schedule for trains with the bicycle symbol // RIDE-HAILING taxi services located in Northeast and Aberdeen, also check for Uber/Lyft drivers in area // BICYCLE ACCESS on the Hatem Bridge is allowed only on Saturdays, Sundays and State holidays, between dawn and dusk, but only for the most confident cyclists in traffic, must be 18 or older, use wide tires for traversing bridge expansion joints, push designated button to activate warning lights. Experienced cyclists looking to bike over the Hatem Bridge on Saturdays or Sundays should read through the Maryland Transportation Authority FAQs on the Thomas Hatem Bridge. // BICYCLE DETOUR to next closest bikeable crossing is US-1 over the Conowingo Dam (no pedestrian access), a detour to the north by about 25 miles total, up and back.
Once across the Susquehanna, Havre de Grace is a jewel on the river’s south shore, offering restaurants and lodging. Continuing west, travelers cross rural Harford County to Monkton and the first designated trail segment – the unpaved and forested Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail (also known as the Northern Central Rail Trail) — to Cockeysville. The Ashland Amish Market makes for a nice stop along the route.
Another on-road section connects to the Jones Falls Trail, which takes travelers down into Inner Harbor of Baltimore. The route linking Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, DC is one of the most complete sections of Greenway. Shorter on-road sections link together lengthy stretches of trails, including the BWI Trail, the Baltimore & Annapolis (B&A) Trail, and the Washington Baltimore & Annapolis (WB&A) Trail.
Connecting suburban communities into Washington, DC, is the northeast branch of the Anacostia Tributary trails, making the going easier and more scenic as the population density increases.
Traveling by train?
Quick tips when using Amtrak with your bike: Do your research in advance; each train line features different bike rack equipment and loading procedures. Check Amtrak for the latest and when in doubt: call the station if you have questions. Click for more: https://www.amtrak.com/bike
