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Patapsco State Park, McKeldin Area Directions: Take I 70 to Marriottsville Road North. Follow Marriottsville Road for 4 miles to the park entrance on your right. This is a wonderful five-mile loop which involve a descent and climb from the rivers, but also features a great flat stretch along the Patapsco in the middle of the run. Navigation is relatively easy as the trail is bounded by Marriottsville Road and the north and south branches of the Patapsco River. As long as you do not cross a river or a road, it is very difficult to get lost. From the parking lot area go towards the white-blazed switchback trail which is located past the ranger's station. Follow the trail down to the river as it turns left. Continue along the trail with the river on your right. You will pass rocky areas by McKeldin Falls. You will soon reach the confluence of the North and South Branches of the Patapsco. Keep running with the river on your right. Eventually the trailbends away from the river and climbs up some switchbacks to a road that leads back to the parking area. Patapsco State Park, Avalon Area Directions: From North - Take I-95 south. Then take I-195 East towards BWI airport. Then take the Route 1 exit and turn right at the light towards Elkridge. Now you are going south on Route 1. From South - Take I-95 north, and follow the above directions. From West - Take I-70 east. Then take I-695 south towards Glen Burnie. Then take I-95 south, and follow the above directions. NO DOGS ALLOWED Very extensive trail systems on both sides of the Patapsco River. Make sure that you know where you are going, where you have been, and what kind of turns you've made. There are a lot of mountain bike trails, and the bike traffic can be heavy at times. The ridge trail is a popular route on the south side of the river, and the flat Grist Mill Trail meanders along the northern bank. The Vineland Trail will run north/south all the way to the Rolling Road parking lot.. |