Baltimore Area Trail Runs
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Susquehanna State Park (continued)
This is a great route for a flat, long run as out and back you can accumulate 10 miles. To get to Susquehanna Park, drive on I-95 north, and take Exit 85-Havre de Grace, the last exit before Cecil County. From there continue straight onto Route 165 for only 1/4 of a mile, and make the first left. Follow this road for approximately 3 miles into the park.-Chad Boyles
Gunpowder Falls State Park, Bel Air Road
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Take Bel Air Road (Highway 1) north from the Beltway five miles north toward Bel Air.
After exiting the Perry Hall area, you will cross the Gunpowder Falls over a fairly long bridge.
At the northern end turn right into the parking lot.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRAILS: Once in the parking lot area, you will see a well-marked sign with maps of four different trail areas. Trails are color blazed by the state park. Think about donating to the state parks "trail blazer" program. The two trails on the south side of the Gunpowder are very flat and run along the shore of the river. The trail on the west side runs five miles to Harford Rd and offers good footing most of time and incredibly easy navigation as there is only one trail. Those seeking more diversity can run the trails on the north side of the Gunpowder. The five mile perimeter loop on the northwest side is one of my favorites. This trail is well-marked with color blazes and offers flat parts along the river, windy hills parts, stream crossings, and pine forest sections. The footing is pretty good and the scenery is constantly changing. The northeast side also offers some hilly short loop diversions from the flat trails. THUMBS UP: Well marked color blazed trees. Four different trail sections. Relatively low crowds.--Chris Cucuzzella
Oregon Ridge State Park DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Take I-83 North to Shawan Road West. About ½ mile to Beaver Dam Road. Left on Beaver Dam. Turn right immediately into driveway and follow driveway up to parking area by nature center. Another option is to park in lot further down on Beaver Dam Road by the lodge. TRAIL DESCRIPTION: The trees are color blazed and trail maps are available in the nature center ( along with other cool environmental stuff ). The following is a hilly yet scenic loop of about 5 miles. From the nature center, cross the footbridge and turn right onto the red trail. Follow this trail as it climbs and eventually intersect with the yellow trail. The yellow trail is relatively flat for a while and then it descends a big hill. At the bottom of the hill, take a quick break and look for Ivy Hill Pond. The yellow trail then undergoes a series of four relatively easy stream crossings which at times can be rock hopped or crossed on logs. The trail then begins a long windy climb. At the top of the climb look for signs for the "overlook". Make a short detour and you'll get a great view of the area and how high you have climbed. You can return to your car numerous ways. The yellow trail hits the red trail and you can turn left on the red and then in about a quarter mile turn right on the blue and descend down to the nature center. This route is hilly and rocky in some points and flat and good terrain in other areas. There are no mountain bikers allowed and crowds are usually sparse. There are many other little side loops you can run. You can run on the grassy area around the lodge and then climb up one of the trails to the yellow loop. This is a great run and a good climbing workout. Mentally unbalanced runners seeking a challenge can run up the ski slope hill behind the lodge just for the sake of it. THUMBS UP: Seldom used trails with few crowds. Scenic with stream crossings. No mountain bikers. Trails well-marked with trail maps available. THUMBS DOWN: Very hilly for beginners. Trail is rocky in some areas.--Chris Cucuzzella
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