Biking Baltimore

Biking Baltimore

Baltimore lacks any kind of defined network of bicycling paths; exploring the city by bike means riding on the streets, a frequently hazardous experience. Or you could head to one of the city's parks or out of town to dedicated cycling trails. Bikes can be rented from Light Street Cycles (1015 Light St., Federal Hill. 410/685-2234); ask for a map of local trails. Just south of the city is the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail (410/222-6244); to get on the trail near BWI airport, follow I-695 to I-97 south, take Exit 15 onto Dorsey Road, heading west away from the airport. Look for signs for Saw Mill Creek Park, which has 13 mi of paved trails, open space, bridges, and woodlands. North of the city, the 21-mi Northern Central Railroad Hike and Bike Trail (410/592-2897) extends along the old Northern Central Railroad to the Maryland-Pennsylvania line. It begins at Ashland Road, just east of York Road in Hunt Valley, and heads north 20 mi to the Pennsylvania border. Parking is available at seven points along the way.