Ride Summary:
Baltimore's mountain bike mecca? Twisty technical singletrack with little climbing. You can ride for hours in Patapsco State Park.
Trail Description:
Start on the Vineland trailhead off Glen Artney parking lot. Ride down the road through the tunnel and take a right at the Y. Follow the Vineland trail to an intersection and make a left, then a quick right onto the road. Head down the road until you pass through a gate on a gravel road Take a right on to the singletrack. Continue through the intersection and over a fire road. At 1.7 miles go through the tunnel and make another quick right. At about 3 miles take a left and cross the bridge and take an immediate left on to River Road. Find the Ridge Trail and continue uphill until making a tight right-handed turn to singletrack and follow the orange markers. Turn left and now follow the blue markers parallel to Cascade Branch Creek. Turn right across the creek and follow the blue markings. Take a left at Norris Road - trailhead is on the right. Take a right and descend, at 5.7 miles follow the red trail, continue straight at an intersection and follow the blue trail. At this point you'll make a sharp U and continue downhill on nice singletrack marked by blue markers. Turn left onto Valley View Trail (white markers) and reach the overlook at about 7 miles. Turn right onto the orange trail, then left onto the blue trail and head downhill staying to the left. After some twisty-tight singletrack, turn right at the intersection following the yellow markers. Sharp right and a quick steep climb, turn right at the intersection, continue through the intersection and bear left at 9.5 climbing on the orange trail. At 10 miles catch the white trail and turn right on River Road then left at the intersection and back to the Glen Artney parking area.
How to get there:
I-95 to Route-195 East then exit at Route-1 and turn right. Next, take the first right then an immediate left to Patapsco State Park. Head towards the Glen Artney area and park in the far lot.
Additional Notes:
There are more trails that can be explored in the Patapsco Valley Park. Call (410) 461-5005 and ask
| Posted by: Jorge on 8/29/2008 |
|
 |
Baltimore is not in MA. It is in MD.
|
| Posted by: wth? on 9/15/2007 |
|
|
Baltimore, Mass?
|
| Posted by: Mike on 9/13/2004 |
|
|
The reason people say don't ride in the mud isn't because they are hippies, it's because that destroys that trails!!!
Take it easy on the trails so we can keep enjoying them!!!
|
| Posted by: joedirt on 4/20/2004 |
|
|
I've been riding for approx 2 weeks. Went to Avalon last weekend for the first time and had a great time. The hardest part about avalon is dodging the random large turkeys that run across the trails.
|
| Posted by: Hennessie on 3/9/2004 |
|
|
I have been riding here for years and I
consider myself a pretty good rider, I dont
see how this this place is rated beginner. I
work at a shop and I never tell new moutain
bikers to go here first. If you want beginner
go to its neighbor Rockburn. There are so
many different routes to take in avalon that
you can get lost. 30% paved, I think not.
You should never have to touch a paved
road unless you are crossing the river on the
bridge. Avalon has some steep inclines but
then it does have plenty of fast single track
downhills. Also look out for fast
approaching tenchnical rock sections and
downed trees due to the hurricane that
came through at the end of last season. The
park does however take very good care of
its trails and I expect to see all of the trees
removed.
|
| Posted by: J_Lew on 9/18/2003 |
|
|
If this trail is for beginners, somebody tell me where I can find a trail for Intermediate or Advanced riders. Years ago before I started riding at Avalon people warned me that it was not easy or for "BEGINNERS". They were right and I have been going there ever since. I have never had a bad or boring ride at Avalon but if you don't know what you're doing you can get hurt. I have seen it happen!!! Again, this is NOT a trail for BEGINNERS. Do them a favor and take them to the NCR Trail or Airport Observation Trail. Its alot safer.
|
| Posted by: outdoorzyguy on 1/21/2003 |
|
|
This place is great. Lots of trails. You can keep yourself entertained for years running different variations. I'm not sure who wrote that original review but it's completely off target. "Beginner" and "Little Climbing" are not how I would describe this system of trails.
|
| Posted by: steve-o on 9/24/2002 |
|
|
hey dawgs, mountain biking is about pushing yourself and getting dirty. how much dirtier can u get then riding in the mud? I say kick it, mud dog, lets rip that stuff up!
|
| Posted by: skipp200 on 8/26/2002 |
|
|
This is one of those trails that it really doensn't matter how many times it kicks your but you keep coming back for more, This is one of the great mountain bike trails in Maryland, Not for beginers for most of the park but there's some nice and smoth rides also, anyway, Love this trail, I'm there at least two times a week and no end in sight.
|
| Posted by: Ben on 7/19/2002 |
|
|
Mud Hog, its people like you that ruin these trails. So when they close them, it will be your fault! not mine, I enjoy these trails and want to continue to be able to far into the future. You sir are an id*ot, these trails are overused, and are getting destryed by the likes of you. YOU DON'T RIDE IN THE RAIN! period the end. Also about bein a sissy, come on bring it! lets go, mtb102@yahoo.com lets go have some fun
|
| 
