The best MTB trails around Edgewater

The Annapolis Waterworks Trail offers an engaging mountain biking experience through a rolling Coastal Plain hardwood forest, featuring diverse terrain and constant changes in direction. You'll navigate tight, root-filled singletrack, flowy sections, and unique pine and mountain laurel groves. The Solar Park Loop even provides dramatic topographical views alongside a major landfill solar project, making for a visually rich ride.

This difficult 13.4-mile (21.6 km) mountain biking loop, with 644 feet (196 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete. Parking is available off Housley Road, and access to the trails is free. The system is known for its progressive difficulty, with loops generally increasing in challenge from south to north, so you can pick your adventure.

What makes this trail system truly stand out is its status as a crucial part of a larger 39-mile natural surface network, which helped Annapolis earn its IMBA Trail Town recognition. Built and maintained entirely by volunteers, it offers a seamless and natural flow with a good mix of challenging technical sections, including dedicated jump lines and skills areas, and the ability to connect with the neighboring Bacon Ridge trails for epic rides.

The Wolf and Box Turtle Trails Loop offers a delightful mountain biking experience through the scenic Bacon Ridge Natural Area in Maryland. You'll enjoy flowing singletrack winding through peaceful forest, with the added intrigue of discovering Abandoned Cars in the Forest along the way. This easy 5.7-mile (9.2 km) route, with its gentle 274 feet (84 metres) of elevation gain, is perfect for a relaxed ride, making it an excellent choice for beginners or anyone seeking a quick, enjoyable outing that takes around 48 minutes.

To plan your visit, aim to arrive early, particularly on busy days, as trailhead parking can fill up. The trail is generally open throughout the year, but be aware that wet conditions or a thick layer of fallen leaves can make some sections slippery. Always check local conditions before heading out and ensure you have adequate water and supplies for your ride.

This loop is a great example of the varied terrain found in Anne Arundel County, offering a mix of natural beauty and a touch of unexpected history with its unique man-made features. It's a fantastic option if you're looking for a family-friendly mountain biking trail that provides a good workout without being overly strenuous, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local ecosystem.

This challenging mountain biking loop connects the varied terrain of Waterworks Park and Broad Creek Park, offering a ride that keeps you on your toes. You'll navigate through the unique "Jungle" section of Waterworks, characterized by its dense bamboo and shaded canopy, before tackling technical creek crossings and some demanding climbs. The route also includes sections of "vintage single track" within Broad Creek Park, providing a diverse and engaging experience for riders.

To tackle this 13.4-mile (21.5 km) difficult route with 687 feet (210 metres) of elevation gain, plan for about 1 hour and 47 minutes of riding time. Parking is generally available in the Parole area, which serves as the starting point for this loop. It's advisable to check trail conditions, especially after rain, as creek crossings can become more challenging, ensuring you have the best time to mountain bike Broad Creek Waterworks Park.

This combined route is a testament to the local mountain biking community's ingenuity, linking two popular areas that aren't formally connected by a single trail. It's a great way to experience the diverse natural features and varied terrain of Annapolis area mountain biking, moving from the tight, technical sections of Waterworks to the more traditional single track of Broad Creek Park.

The Bacon Ridge Natural Area loop from Generals Highway Corridor Park offers a delightful mountain biking experience, winding through a thick canopy of Coastal Plain hardwood forest. You'll find natural surface singletrack with constant changes in direction and grade, featuring 'punchy climbs' and fast descents. It's an easy 4.9-mile (7.9 km) route with 349 feet (106 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking about 43 minutes, making it a perfect spot for a quick, engaging ride without the hassle of rocks.

Access the trail from Generals Highway Corridor Park, where parking is available. This multi-use trail system is shared by mountain bikers, hikers, and leashed dogs, so be sure to share the trail respectfully. The area is known for draining quickly after rain, which means you can often enjoy a ride here even when other trails might be too muddy.

This trail system holds significance as the first legal natural surface singletrack in Anne Arundel County, boasting over 20 miles of trails. Its extensive network, built and maintained by volunteers, contributed to Annapolis being recognized as an IMBA Trail Town. The Bacon Ridge Natural Area also includes a dedicated bike park with skills zones for those looking to push their limits.

The Bacon Ridge Natural Area – Waterworks Park loop offers a diverse and engaging mountain biking experience through rolling Coastal Plain hardwood forest. You'll find yourself on natural surface, flowy singletrack, navigating twisty paths with some roots but generally no large rocks. The dense woodlands and wetlands provide a feeling of being in a remote wonderland, with scenic vistas opening up as you tackle punchy climbs and fast downhills. This 15.5-mile (25.0 km) route, with 789 feet (240 metres) of elevation gain, is rated difficult and takes about 1 hour and 59 minutes, making it a substantial ride for intermediate to advanced cyclists.

To plan your ride, note that the trails are known for draining quickly after rain, making them a good option even after wet weather. Access is convenient from Generals Highway Corridor Park, which serves as a good starting point for this combined loop. While the system is designed to accommodate various skill levels, the full loop is physically demanding, so ensure you're prepared for a challenging ride. Always check local conditions before heading out, especially if you're aiming for the more advanced sections further north in the Bacon Ridge system.

This interconnected trail system is a significant part of Annapolis's recognition as an IMBA Trail Town, boasting approximately 20 miles of purpose-built singletrack within Bacon Ridge alone. When combined with the Annapolis Waterworks trails, it forms an epic route of over 30 miles, mostly singletrack. The area is well-maintained by volunteers from the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE-MTB) and features modern trail design, including a progressive jump line with options for various skill levels. Keep an eye out for hidden features like playful jumps, log rides, drops, step-ups, and rollers scattered throughout the network.