Big Savage Mountain Trail
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Description: This is a challenging 17 mile mountain-top trail which travels over steep and rocky terrain with significant brush on the trail. Backpacking & primitive camping permits are available at Savage River State Forest Headquarters.
Use: Hiking Difficulty: Difficult Directions: Northern End - Take exit 29 off I-68 and head south on Beall School Road for 1.25 miles. At the T-intersection, turn left and continue on this road for 1.25 miles to trail sign. South End - Turn north on Savage River Road and go approximately 4 miles. Turn right into a primitive camp area where trail can be located. |
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Garrett Trail (Herrington Manor and Snaggy Mountain)
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Description: Much of this trail is on old logging roads. A portion is on the graveled Snaggy Mountain Road. The trail is fairly level, but some long hills test your endurance. A short side trail will take you to the Maryland Champion Northern Red Oak. You will also pass a watchable wildlife area with an active beaver dam.
Use: Hiking XC Skiing, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, Snowmobiling Difficulty: Easy - Moderate Directions: The trail and parking can be accessed along Herrington Manor Road, in the dip approximately .5 miles north of Herrington Manor State Park entrance. |
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Garrett Trail (Swallow Falls to Herrington Manor)
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Description: This a popular trail connecting Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls State Parks. Much of the trail is an easily navigable, old logging road. Part of the trail is single track and rocky. Within 1 mile of Swallow Falls State Park the trail runs alongside a stream with hemlocks and rhododendron. Wildlife includes deer, wild turkey and black bear. Look for signs of beaver activity.
Use: Hiking, XC Skiing, Mountain Biking Difficulty: Easy (with some rocky areas) Directions: Trail can be accessed at Herrington Manor State Park trail head, located at the rear of the large parking lot near the lake. |
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Herrington Manor Trails
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Description: The park offers swimming, rowboating, canoeing and paddle boating, picnicking, hiking, tennis, volleyball and 20 furnished log cabins for rental use year round. There are 4 trails of varying lengths. Trails are grass covered and broad. Terrain varies with some hill climbing and several areas are soft during wet spells.
Use: Hiking, Mountain Biking, XC-Skiing Difficulty: Easy Directions: Take Rt. 219 south from McHenry, MD to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek Lake). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road and travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road and travel .3 miles to the first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park. Red and Blue trails can be accessed at the concession stand by the lake. The Green trail is accessed behind the backstop at the ballfield, near the tennis courts. The Yellow trail is accessed from the green trail. |
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Hoye Crest (Highest Point in MD)
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Description: This is a steep climb to the highest point in Maryland. Backbone Mountain is a long ridge that runs diagonally southwest-to-northeast in the extreme southwest corner of Maryland, extending into West Virginia. The trail is an old road to a trail on the West Virginia side. There is a geocache here and a high point log book.
Use: Hiking Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult Directions: Take Route 219 south out of Oakland. Cross the Route 50 intersection at Red House, MD and stay on Route 219 for approximately 5.5 miles, crossing into West Virginia. Approximately .7 miles past Silver Lake you will find a well-marked trail head on the left. There is parking up the trail .1 miles (4WD recommended) or you can park on the right shoulder pull off, 50 yards past the trail head. |
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Paul Sarbanes Trail at Jennings Randolph
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Description: This is a short but scenic trail across an earthen dam that provides access to the northern branch of the Potomac River and fishing spots.
Use: Hiking Difficulty: Moderate (Steep Uphill Climb) Directions: From the Visitor Center in McHenry, MD turn right onto US219 South/Garrett Highway and continue for 7 miles. Turn left onto Sand Flat Road and continue for 4.4 miles. At the flashing yellow lights, turn left again, onto MD135 East and continue for 2.6 miles. At the next set of flashing yellow lights, turn right to continue on MD135 East for another 6.1 miles. Finally, turn right onto Walnut Bottom Road and continue for 4.3 miles. Follow the signs for Jennings Randolph Lake, turn right and continue for .3 miles to trail head parking area. |
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Kitzmiller Town Trail
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Description: This a short but pretty, paved trail by the northern branch of the Potomac River. Visit the Company Store for local crafts and food.
Use: Walking Difficulty: Easy Directions: From Oakland, MD, take Route 135 east approximately 11 miles. Turn right on Route 38 (Kitzmiller Road) and head south for approximately 5 miles to Kitzmiller, MD. Trail is along the Potomac River. |
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Loch Lynn Town Trail
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Description: This is a short fitness/walking trail around the town's athletic fields.
Use: Walking Difficulty: Easy Directions: From Oakland, MD, take Route 135 east approximately 2 miles and turn right on Route 560. After a short distance, turn right on Third Avenue and follow it to the athletic fields. |
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Lostland Trail
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Description: This is a beautiful hike through a hemlock-laurel canyon, following Lostland Run en route to the Potomac River. There are stream crossings on footbridges, a Cascade Falls, and many opportunities to view wildlife. A short spur from the parking area leads to the Potomac River Overlook where splendid views of the river and pristine mountains can be enjoyed.
Use: Hiking, Mountain Biking Difficulty: Moderate Directions: Upper Trail Head - Take Route 135 east from Oakland, MD and take a right on Gorman Road (light at Loch Lynn). Go 3 blocks and take a left on Route 560. Continue for 1.75 miles to Bethlehem Road, turn left, and travel 2 miles to the intersection of Bethlehem Road and Eagle Rock Road. Turn right, staying on Bethlehem Road for 1.4 miles. Turn left on Combination Road and travel .5 miles. Turn left on Potomac Camp Road and travel .5 miles to the Forest Resource Center on the left. Lower Trail Head - Continue on Potomac Camp for .5 miles to Lost Land Road and make a right. Follow Lost Land Road to the bottom parking area and trail head beginning at the Potomac River. |
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Fort Alice & Oakland Town Trails
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Description: Oakland's fitness/walking trail includes a 1 mile loop that can be accessed at the Yough Glades development on Liberty Street. The trail follows part of the (Top) Youghiogheny River and connects to the Historic Oakland Train Station, the Pavilion and heads out Route 39.
A spur at the northwest corner of this trail follows the old B&O railroad line (now CSX) west to the site of a Civil War era fort, aka Fort Alice. This was the site of a Union troop blockhouse built to house troops protecting the 88 Bridge of the B&O railroad where it crosses the Youghiogheny River. The blockhouse was over-run by Confederate troops in 1863 as part of the Jones-Imboden Raid which burned the bridge and briefly occupied the nearby town of Oakland. Interpretive signs along the trail tell the story of this piece of local history. Use: Walking Difficulty: Easy Directions: Travel to Oakland from north or south on U.S. Route 219. The trail can be accessed at the Pavilion/Oakland town parking lot behind 2nd and Alder Streets or at the Yough Glades development, which is on your right as you leave Oakland on Liberty Street. |
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Laurel Run and Wallman trails
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Description: Most of this trail follows old roads but there is a section of active road from Audley Riley Road to Wallman Road.
Laurel Run Road - Mountain bikers and off-road vehicle (ORV) users will particularly enjoy this dirt road that runs southward from its intersection with Wallman Road to its terminus near the Potomac River. Views from the road offer a chance to see dense areas of mountain laurel. This trail is open to motor vehicles. Wallman Road - This trail travels downhill from Laurel Run Road to a small parking lot near the Potomac River. The forest cover in this area is ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife, including wild turkey, white-tailed deer and black bears. Good birding and wildflowers. Hikers and mountain bikers can make a circuit back to their starting point by using the 3.5 mile Loop Road. Roads are open to ORV Use (of Connector Trail): Biking, Hiking Difficulty: Moderate Directions: Take Route 135 east from Oakland, MD and take a right on Gorman Road (light at Loch Lynn). Go 3 blocks and take a left on Route 560. Continue 4.9 miles to White Church and turn left. Travel 1.3 miles straight onto Audley Riley Road. Trail and a parking area will be on the right. |
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