10 Montgomery County Hikes For Your New Year's Resolutions

BETHESDA, MD — Let's face it: New Year's resolutions are tough — especially if they center on health and fitness.

Go to the gym. Eat more fruits and veggies. Cut out sugars and fats.

We all know what to do; yet, millions of people around the world fall short of their goals and find themselves slipping back into familiar, bad habits.

So, now what? Well, it's not too late to get back on your feet. No, seriously.

For starters, you can check out this article. Patch spoke with local dietitians and a personal trainer to find out what it takes to get healthy and stay healthy beyond the new year. And they shared a lot of great tips and tricks.

But if you're looking for more ways to get healthy and stay active — beyond the confines of a gym or basement recreation room — why not start in the great outdoors?

Montgomery County is home to a number of breathtaking hiking trails — all catered to varying skill levels. Hiking isn't just a great way to exercise: it's a chance to take in the idyllic scenery and bond with family and friends.

Patch has rounded up a number of hiking trails to check out in Montgomery County. They are:

Cabin John Regional Park Trails

• Location: Bethesda (located south of Montrose Road and north of Democracy Boulevard between Seven Locks Road and Westlake Drive)
• Trail Characteristics: More than 4 miles of natural surface trails and less than 2 miles of hard surface trails
• Activities: Hiking, biking

Matthew Henson Trail

• Location: Wheaton (begins at intersection of Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail and Winding Creek Local Park)
• Trail Characteristics: 4.2 mile hard surface trail featuring 0.6 miles of wooden boardwalk; surrounded by parkland, forested area, and Turkey Branch Stream
• Activities: Hiking, biking, rollerblading

Rachel Carson Conservation Park Trails

• Location: Olney
• Trail Characteristics: More than 6 miles of natural surface trails
• Activities: Hiking, horseback riding

Little Bennett Regional Park Trails

• Location: Clarksburg
• Trail Characteristics: 3,700-acre park with more than 25 miles of natural surface trails
• Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding

Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Park Trails

Agricultural History Farm Park Trails

Black Hill Regional Park Trails

Seneca Creek Greenway Trail

• Location: Gaithersburg (in Great Seneca Stream Valley Park)
• Trail Characteristics: 7.8-mile natural surface trail (sometimes hilly and steep)
• Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding

Underground Railroad Experience Trail Hikes

• Location: Sandy Spring
• Trail Characteristics: 2 miles of natural surface trails; primarily in the woods, but does go around a corn field; part of the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program
• Activities: Hiking, Horseback riding

Capital Crescent Trail