Community Corner
The Ultimate Trail Guide for Owings Mills, Reisterstown
Print this out for the fridge: Here's a handy guide to some of the area's best trails.
With summer officially underway, many of you may be thinking about getting outside more often. Good news: Saturday is National Trails Day, and it’s a perfect time to hit the trails.
The American Hiking Society (AHS) organized the first NTD in 1993 and it was designed to raise awareness for trails and all the benefits they offer to us. The AHS is urging everyone to take time on Saturday to visit a local trail for a hike, bike or horse ride to see how beneficial it can be for themselves.
One of the biggest benefits of accessing trails is that it is a great way to get into shape. Mark Dees, owner of in Owings Mills, said there are many physical fitness benefits specific to hiking and running trails. In addition to these benefits, he also said those who exercise outside are also more likely to keep up with the routine.
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“Indoor workouts tend to be boring—either your watching TV or just in the same spot, going nowhere," he said. "But when you’re on trails, you have a lot more mental stimulus.”
The terrain for most hiking trails is constantly changing as you travel along and this ultimately means you are exercising more effectively, Dees explained.
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Dees also said that when most people work out indoors it is usually on a flat surface, generally staying in one spot for the whole routine. Although it is still an effective means of exercise, some people can easily loose interest.
“If you could go for a 30-minute hike, two to three times a week, that would be a great fitness routine,” he said. “You want to build your comfort level and build your endurance when doing local hiking.”
The Reisterstown Recreation Council’s community supervisor, Steven Gravelle agreed that there are plenty of benefits to accessing public trails.
“There are benefits for having any sort of recreational activity,” he said. “It helps get people active and out and about.”
Gravelle sees many people living in the area that enjoy being active, he said.
“It’s an active community, we’re just trying to get people to become more active so they are not necessarily in front of the TV all the time,” he said.
An important responsibility of hikers is to make sure to leave nothing but their footprints, he said. Anyone who accesses the trails should make sure to clean up after themselves and pets, which can be achieved by simply bringing along a trash bag.
“[Hikers] do need to take care of the environment,” he said.
The recreation council currently does not have any group hiking programs, but anyone who is interested in organizing a program is welcome to contact the office.
“The recreation council is always looking for people to help out,” he said. “Anybody interested in starting a program for the council and the community, we’re always on the lookout.”
So where is the closest trail?, and how difficult is it? Can I ride my bike or bring my dog? Don’t worry, Patch has got you covered. We’ve put together a handy guide to the areas best places to hike, bike, run or just take the dog for a walk so you can get out and hit the trails.
The Ultimate Trail Guide
5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
- Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. - Dusk
- Trails: 4 trails, 7 miles
- Activities: Hiking, trail running
- Trail map
Soldiers Delight features sweeping serpentine grasslands and quiet black jack oak forests. The area is named for the abundance of serpentine rock found here. Serpentine rock was once mined for chrome production in Baltimore City.
These trails are convenient to those living in Owings Mills or Reisterstown and a range of difficulty levels and trail lengths are available. If you are looking for a leisurely stroll check out Red Run Trail, it features easy terrain and runs through both the grasslands and the oak forest. This is also Soldiers Delight’s only streamside trail.
For more of a challenge, try the serpentine trail, its 2.5 miles and features more rocky terrain and a few creek crossings. A great option here is to combine all three trails on the east side of the park. They are all fairly easy and create a larger loop if you decide to hike all of them in one trip.
There are lots of education programs available at Soldiers Delight as well so check the website for the latest events. The nature center is open every Saturday from 9am-3pm but may be open during the week when staff is available. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available here as well for those interested. Dogs are allowed provided they are on a leash 6-feet or less and waste must be disposed of properly.
11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
These trails are free and open to the public every day. These trails are fairly easy and also offer a good variety of scenery. The terrain is mostly flat and a good choice for those new to hiking or trail running.
While enjoying your hike, stop and take a look at the Native American gardens or honey bee hives. The nature center provides several educational programs for everyone from children to seniors. It is important to note that Irvine Nature Center does not allow pets because they may disturb some of the wildlife residing in the park.
Red Run Stream Valley Trail
Along the closed section of Dolfield Road, look for it when Dolfield crosses Pleasant Hill Road in Owings Mills.
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
- Trails: 1, Approximately 3 miles.
- Activities: Hiking, trail running, biking
This recently renovated trail features paved and mulched paths through some of Owings Mills country side. The trail runs along the stream and is mostly wooded making for a cool escape from the mid-day sun. It is located within a short drive from Reisterstown Road at Pleasant Hill Road.
12035 Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown MD 21136
- Hours: Daily, dawn-dusk
- Activities: Walking, running, biking
- Web site
Located right in the heart of Reisterstown, Hannah More Park offers a convinient opportunity to get in a quick hike or run closer to home. There is no specific hiking trail but many people find walking the Hanna Moore Campus is a great way to get outside and get moving.
13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
- Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
- Trails: 9 trails, approximately 6 miles.
- Activities: Hiking, trail running, swimming, fishing
- Web site / Trail map
Oregon Ridge Park is the largest recreation area managed by Baltimore County Parks and Recreation. It offers nine trails for nearly 6 miles of hiking. This area is mostly forested and trails are pleasantly shaded in the spring and summer months.
There is plenty of variety for trails here too, which means you can try something different every time you visit. Oregon Ridge may be a challenge to beginner hikers, but for those who enjoy a strenuous hike they will not be disappointed. Another great feature of the park is Oregon Ridge Lake. After hikers work up a sweat on the trails they can cool off with a dip in the lake.
The nature center offers plenty of educational opportunities and kids programs. They are open Tuesday through Sunday 9am-5pm. Check the website for more details on events and volunteer opportunities.
30 Martz Road, Sykesville, MD 21784
- Hours: Daily, 7am-dusk
- Trails: 4 trails, approximately 5 miles
- Activities: Hiking, trail running, swimming
- Web site / Trail map
This Carroll County park is a little further away but worth it for those looking for a quiet day on the lake enjoying nature. The trails meander along the lake shore and into the white pine and hickory forests and through the grasslands. The trails here are fairly easy and great for families with small children. Trail length varies from a half mile to a 2.5 miles, so there’s something for everyone no matter how long you have to spare for a hike.
The park also offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the lake as well, whether it’s taking a break from hiking to go swimming or just taking a few hours to go fishing. The entrance fee for non-Carroll County residents is $10, $8 for county residents. There is also a nature center with outdoor education programs for kids and adults.
Multiple entrances throughout Catonsville and Ellicott City.
- Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
- Trails: 170 miles of trails
- Activities: Hiking, trail running, biking, swimming, camping, fishing
- Web site / Trail map of McKeldin area /McKeldin trail guide
One of Maryland’s oldest state parks, Patapsco Valley is located along 32 miles of the Patapsco river. This park has a lot to offer including some of the areas longest hiking trails. Trail difficulty here ranges from easy walks along the banks of the river to challenging trails climbing up the valley ridges. There are so many opportunities to try something new it’s easy to explore a different aspect of the park every time you visit.
The park has multiple entrances, but the McKeldin Area along Marriotsville Road is the most convenient to Reisterstown and Owings Mills residents. With a nominal entrance fee of $2 per person you have access to 170 miles of trails so its well worth it. There are trail maps available for sale at the parks entrances and visitor centers as well.
Liberty Reservoir
Access points vary in Carrolly County and Baltimore County.
- Trails: Miles of fire roads that circle the reservoir
- Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
- Activities: Hiking, biking, fishing
- DNR Contact: 410-356-9272
A somewhat hidden gem just East of Reisterstown and Owings Mills, Liberty Reservoir is a favorite among many of the area's anglers. This beautiful place boasts miles of trails. They are mostly fire roads, but there is a nice trail that runs along the shore of the reservoir that can easily be accessed along Liberty road on the east side of the bridge crossing the reservoir.
Morgan Run Natural Environmental Center
Benrose Lane, Westminster MD 21157
- Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to dusk
- Trails: multiple
- Activities: Hiking, trail running, horseback riding, fishing
- Web site / DNR Contact: 410-461-5005
This area is great for hiking with trails that wind along the Morgan Run and through the surrounding forest. There are also plenty of opportunities to soak up the sunshine while hiking in some of the grassland areas too. It is important to note that this trail is open to horses as well so make sure to keep an eye out for riders while hiking. There are multiple locations to access the trails, but the most convenient from this address at the end of Jim Bowers Road. You will also find a map of the trails posted at the trail head.
Additional Resources
