BWI TRAIL:
GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: April 23, 2003
Length: BWI Trail Loop; 11 miles
Difficulty: Moderate. Flat, paved trail but with a slight grade along route.
Directions:
From I-97 southbound, take exit 15 to
The BWI Trail completely circles
Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Although most of the trail runs
alongside roadways, it has its own paved trail. At the Dixon Observation Area,
the airplanes come in for a landing almost over your head. Quite a sight. There
is a Spur Trail of about a mile that will take you over to the Baltimore
& Annapolis Trail. This paved trail is 13 miles long and runs from
downtown Glen Burnie
to Route 50 in Annapolis. This trail runs along the former rail bed of the Annapolis & Baltimore
Short Line that started in 1880. The railroad was abandoned in 1968. For more information check out;
BWI
TRAIL & BIKE
WASHINGTON .
The BWI Trail is part of the EAST COAST GREENWAY , a planned biking & hiking route stretching 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. When complete it will traverse 15 states with a mostly off-road path.
Note; The directions are somewhat incomplete, as I lost my notes from this trip.
Starting
from the Dixon Observation Area parking lot;
Head through the playground and onto the BWI Trail. The field below the landing
aircraft will be to your left. A ¼ mile takes you into the woods and soon a
sharp turn. You will pass a mileage marker that says 24.5 on your right (these
markers include mileage from the B&A Trail) and come to an open
area with a golf driving range on your left. The trail then enters a wooded area
with lots of curves in the trail. After 1.4 miles,
you'll come to
Note;
Right takes you along the Spur Trail to the B&A Trail.
Head left and you will cross over Dorsey Rd.
The trail then heads up along Aviation Blvd
and crosses over into a wooded area after 3.5 miles. Another ½ mile brings you
out along a road again, where you cross over some railroad tracks. You come to Andover
Note;
Left takes you over a bridge and into the airport.
Continue right and cross over I-195 via a pedestrian bridge. You cross a wooden bridge over a marsh after 6.6 miles. You head up a ramp to a bridge after 7.5 miles. At the top, turn left (no signs) towards the airport. As you ride alongside Aviation Blvd, keep an eye out overhead. This is the flight path for airplanes taking off overhead. You cross over a long wooden boardwalk after 8.5 miles. You now ride alongside Dorsey Rd and cross over at 10.8 miles. This trail brings you back to the Dixon Observation Area.
HH
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT