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Patapsco Valley State Park (Avalon Area) Mountain Bike Trail
Ellicot City, Maryland
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
30 trail reviews |
|
Status: updated 11/4/07 by ralliart419 |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 20 miles | Global Rank: #17 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Network |
| Ridden: 189 | Wishlist: 64 |
| Avg. Speed: 6.38 mph | Avg. Time: 1hr 29min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +17,539/-20,327 ft | |
 3 trail check-ins |
Directions:
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Description: It definetly is a valley, lots of altitude. Rocky, rooty and fast. Switchbacks, it has all types of terrain, not for the beginner at heart. Morning Choice trail is nice and not too technical. Ridge Trail is what it means, ridge with a lot of rocks. Soapstone, Bull Run trails are awesome and the one that I can't remember the name is also pretty good. ENJOY.
Description: It definetly is a valley, lots of altitude. Rocky, rooty and fast. Switchbacks, it has all types of terrain, not for the beginner at heart. Morning Choice trail is nice and not too technical. Ridge Trail is what it means, ridge with a lot of rocks. Soapstone, Bull Run trails are awesome and the one that I can't remember the name is also pretty good. ENJOY.
added on August 16, 2004 by 
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by mozzinator on July 12, 2011
Patapsco is just a nice Park in general. Ridge Trail was a nice mix of challenging uphills and exhilerating downhills with banked turns, bridges and stream.
reviewed by xjjeep8765 on July 6, 2011
Awesome park, it is a little overmaintained (allot of side trails have been blocked) but def a place ide go back to.
reviewed by command_z on July 1, 2011
I recently got back into mountain biking and decided to try Patapsco, since I live in Baltimore. I used to ride Western North Carolina for years, so I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised with Patapsco. Some trails are super challenging and others are only moderate in difficulty. There are a lot of trails. I've been there 15+ times this summer and I still haven't ridden everything, there's so much. You can either park outside the park and bike in (for free) or park in the park for $2. I pay the fee to drive in the park solely for the reasons that 1) my car seems more secure and 2) There is a water hose that I can use to clean my bike after each ride and 3) it feels good to support the Park.
reviewed by Jkizz on June 17, 2011
Go here all the time. Great trails everywhere. I love the trails up on the ridges. Definitely bring your tubes and chain tools. Also, keep an eye out for trail runners as they love the single track trails too. It is easy to hit 25mph and up, so keep awares at all times.
reviewed by JeffHoward on May 1, 2011
No need to add accolades, the hype and #17 ranking rings true. Easily the best trail I’ve ridden in the DC/Baltimore area. While the trails are well marked if you’re not a regular I’d recommended a detailed map which can be easily bought here http://shopdnr.com/patapscovalleystatepark4areas.aspx. I dropped in off landing road which connects with the blue trail.
* Review edited 5/1/2011
Similar Trail: Patapsco Valley State Park (Mckeldin Area)
reviewed by jfigel76 on April 9, 2011
I have been riding here for over 15 years. I love this place when it is dry. After rain, leave 24-48 hours to ride or it gets dangerous, slow, muddy and slippery. Lots of jumps, twists, turns, water crossings, etc. Plenty of free places to park -Landing Road, Park and Ride. $2 to enter and support your park. Well maintained trails with a good map at the park office.
reviewed by nglanden on October 28, 2010
rode this trail for the first time as a beginner and in the rain.... awesome trail... now i'm hooked with the sport... can't wait to go back, when its not raining... definitely worth it rain or shine....
reviewed by lurch_96 on August 4, 2010
fantastic mix of everything! FUN & challenging...
Similar Trail: Schaeffer Farm
reviewed by luv2mtb on August 1, 2010
I got into MTB for climbs. This park has plenty of lung-busting climbs. And they are all coupled with very rewarding downhill on the other side. Bring extra tubes, plenty of water, a camera, and a few energy bars.
Similar Trail: Fountainhead, Raccoon Mountain (Chattanooga, TN)
reviewed by TPruitt86 on June 27, 2010
I rode the Ridge trail today for the first time. Intense! Part of it could have been this ridiculous heat wave we have been having but that's only a small part. Steep, rocky climbs that make you want to turn around before you get to the top but once you get to the top you get nice downhill section that is quite twisty, fasty and techy. Watch out for some of the big rocks that blend in with the dirt.. errrr that's my excuse for falling at least. Regardless, great place, friendly riders and take a dip in the river if you feel so inclined to cool off. Do bring extra chains and tubes!
reviewed by mfrisi01 on August 13, 2009
This is a great place to ride. Has over 36 miles of trails. Been ridding it since the 80s. Think of it as a giant bowl down one side and up the other with great ridge rides on both sides. Some thing for everyone. Wish race folks would do more races here!
Similar Trail: Gambrils
reviewed by IMG on March 6, 2009
This network of trails are by far my favorite anywhere. I lived in Old Town Ellicott City for a few years and have so many amazing memories of riding Patapsco, I can't give it enough props.
Similar Trail: Fountain Head, VA
reviewed by skibum on November 29, 2008
This place hase a great variety of singletrack. Although not consistently technical like Gambrill, it has its moments. It also has both fast, swoopy singletrack, and really tight, twisty singletrack. The drawback is the paved road that runs through the middle of the park. It segregates the singletrack on the eastern side, which isn't as interesting as the rest. On the west side, there is a good (by DC/Baltimore standards). Once up on top, there are a variety of trails. One has so many logs to step over, it can become annoying, but it'll sure teach you to ride light on your feet. The Blue trail that follows the creek down to the river has some very tecdhnical sections interspersed with fast sections with some exposure. If you ride more than a couple hours, you'll probably have to repeat yourself but, given the location, that's a good bit of trail. Like I said at first, the big benefit is the variety you can hit all in a fairly short space.
Similar Trail: Gambrill for more technical, Schaeffer Farm for less challenge but still good stuff.
reviewed by hchayes70 on April 19, 2008
One of my all-time favorites. Varied terrain...stream crossings, rock garden, nice climb/downhill sections. Good idea to have a map since there is a lot of trail system to explore here.
reviewed by pfrog on April 15, 2008
just a great place to ride - varied terrain and if you go big you can mix it up and connect other areas of Patapsco State Park which makes for epic days. i can't think of a better place to ride this close to a major city anywhere.
Similar Trail: hard to say...I would say normal east coast mountain stuff but on a much smaller scale.
reviewed by kegfreak on April 11, 2008
These are my favorite trails. When I lived in Baltimore, I would ride here at least once a week. It was always different. Only problem was sometimes there was a lot of people out day hiking. Never enough to ruin a great time though!
reviewed by kb-biker on October 22, 2007
I've only rode the trail that enters from Rolling Road, across from the 195 Park and Ride. This is a fast, and rather technical part of the trail. From the Park and Ride, you enter from the top of the trail. from here the trail is narrow and fast, then you hit a killer hill(be careful) and then from the point its a good, fast trail wil a couple small stream crossings and lost of roots and rocks. Definetly worth a ride if you're in the area. I haven't gotten to explore the other trails, but this one is a must, place you avoid part entrance fee's :)
reviewed by timmhynes on September 16, 2007
I used to live within walking distance of these trails and I miss it. I rode them from 1989-2000. It's probably gotten busy since then so make some noise as you go! Excellent riding with a little bit of everything. Good tree cover. Fast downhill, tough climbs, refreshing stream crossings, and great facilities inside the Park. I recommend parking on Rolling road across from the park and ride. Then bomb down through until you reach pavement, ride the pavement for a little while, cross the "swinging bridge", and come back. If you want a killer climb on pavement with rewarding downhill back to your car. Find Gun Road, don't be a sissy, make a left at the end back to your car.
* Review edited 9/16/2007
reviewed by AboveTheRidge on August 28, 2007
Excellent trail system! Awesome for creating different variations of rides. Lots of rocks, logs and roots to maneuver through, but outstanding rides. Highly recommended.* Review edited 8/28/2007
* Review edited 8/28/2007
reviewed by dhsession77 on March 23, 2007
Very fast lots of roots and rocks good trails to practice on for bigger events
Similar Trail: Snowshoe WV
reviewed by SplinterCellSC20 on February 9, 2007
This is a great trail. It also connects to other trails that seem to go on for ever. The scenery is nice so the next time I ride I will grab my digital camera and upload some photos here. Worth a trip if you're ever in the area. Because the interlaced trails cover pretty much the whole park, even when it is crowded it is still ride-able. I only gave this an over-all rating of 7 because it is so long. If I based it on just the tech alone, I would have to give it a strong 8 to a 9.
reviewed by ben_vogelsang on January 3, 2007
If you think the trails are only 20 miles long, you haven't looked north or south of one tiny area- what I read in the park map was more like 200 miles of trails- that's more like it. I've ridden these trails since 1989, all weather, all year- the brutality, sweat, tears, blood, woodpeckers, deer, foxes, kingfishers, to name a few, and to now be able to coast out of the park across a new swinging bridge to Ellicott City for snacks- NOT TOO BAD REALLY!!!
Similar Trail: The hell with similar- how about custom built, best in Britain many years running- Glen Tress in Scotland near Innerliethen and Edinburgh.
reviewed by prince102671 on June 29, 2006
WOW!!! I really picked a doozie of a trail system to get my MB shoes wet again. This one tore me up! Of course my bike buddy was in much better shape and had his clip-in (I did not). A sweet ride with a good dose of tech challenges and pucker-factor portions. Take spare tubes, an extra chain, lots of water, and a field 1st aid kit. This one will whip your ass into shape. Yeehaaa!
reviewed by yellowXtrek on August 8, 2005
A great mix of trail that will entertain for hours. Great downhills with some good climbs that will make your legs scream. Good mix of roots, rocks and fast creek crossings. There are some great overviews at the top of the trail of the valley/dam/river. I highly recommend this trail.
reviewed by McStrings on August 4, 2005
This is my favorite spot to ride. Period. I've been lucky enough to do a lot of riding in Northern California, which has some epic and seminal rides but Patapsco has always been the best. I've been riding there off and on since 1991 and am nowhere near being bored with it. The lay of the land is great but still organic (unlike Fountainhead which is a good workout but more of a playground than a X-country ride).
reviewed by schmuck on July 13, 2005
I love this trail! It has everything you need; Fast downhills, rock gardens, log pyramids, technical uphills and there's alwa**ome mud. There is also a great free ride section near Hilltop that's kind of hidden.
Similar Trail: Fountainhead
reviewed by upsidedownBob on June 13, 2005
I'm an old man but this was great, have to work on my stamina to keep up with all the punks!
Similar Trail: None
reviewed by fluffhead on April 14, 2005
Fast single tracks, chainring eatin' rocks, nice jumps, well maintained log obstacles. I have cracked the frames on 2 bikes here and not from wrecking.
Similar Trail: Loch Raven Resevior
reviewed by getonthetrail on December 12, 2004
This ride was sweet! Nice up and downs. This trail has it all, fast single track sections, up and downs, technical rocky sections. This trail was a chanllenge. Will ride again!
reviewed by kltbo on November 8, 2004
This trail has something for everyone, if you go left the hills are nuts, to the right of the visitor center the hills are long and fast. Have fun.
