On The Trail: Serpentine Trail

This trail is located on the West side of the NEA and provides a more challenging experience than the other trails located here, and also offers a bit more seclusion.

You can pick up this trail from either the Nature Center or the overview turn-off, both on Deer Park Road. At a medium pace, this trail provides a great one-to-two hour hike. There are stationary maps located at each trailhead, but either way you take the loop it is about the same level of difficulty.

If you take the trail head from the turnoff, the trail first winds through an oak forest but soon leaves the shade of the trees and cuts across the serpentine grassland.

Named for the abundance of serpentine rock found in the area, the grassland provides a beautiful 360 degree view. The serpentine grasslands and oak tree savannah are what much of the greater Baltimore area would have looked like before European settlement.  

The abundance of serpentine rock also makes the terrain along a few sections of this trail a challenge.

Another important consideration is that much of this trail is out in the open, with little-to-no shade, so it can get a little toasty in the mid-day heat.

After crossing the grassland, the trail eventually winds back into the shade of the oak tree savannah, and here there are plenty of places to stop and take breather before trekking on.

In general, this trail has less traffic than the other three trails located in the NEA, and for those seeking an escape, this trail is for you. You may be surprised how far away from the city you feel just 20 minutes into the hike.

During the summer months you may want to plan your hike for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day, said Soldiers Delight Park Ranger Joseph Vogelpohl. He also had a tip for avoiding another common issue on the trails, ticks:

“It's important to stay on the trails, by doing so you minimize your chance of getting ticks quite significantly,” Vogelpohl said. “After your hike you should check for ticks as soon as possible.

“If you can find them within the first 24 hours, you can pretty much eliminate your risk for Lyme disease.”

The Serpentine Trail

Length: 2.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area (NEA)

5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills MD 21117

Contact: 410-461-5005

Trail Map / Website