Fall Hiking with Children Around Baltimore, Maryland

Want to get out and see some gorgeous fall color? Why not go on a family hike? September and October are great months to get out and enjoy the flaming red of maple, quiet yellows of birch, and subtle browns of the many oak species in Maryland. There are a number of trails within an hour's drive of Baltimore that are family-friendly. Here are a few favorite picks.

For those with very small children or limited time to escape Baltimore, Cylburn Arboretum, just south of Northern Parkway, has some short hiking trails through the wooded areas of the estate, as well as gorgeous gardens to stroll through with striking Japanese maples and other fall foliage. As of fall 2009 construction for a new visitor's center has closed the arboretum except for special events so check the website before you go. The visitor's center is projected to open by January 2010.

Oregon Ridge is just a short ways up I-83 off Shawan Road. A favorite destination for family hiking in Baltimore, the park features a selection of interlinked trails ranging from half a mile up to 1.6 miles. Stop in the Nature Center for water, bathrooms, and to view a number of exhibits on Maryland wildlife, including a selection of live animals.

Gunpowder Falls State Park covers nearly 18,000 acres in northern Baltimore and Harford counties. This park has several locations and a great selection of terrains. For the less athletically inclined hiker, or those pushing a jogging stroller, consider the North Central Railroad (NCR) trail, which has a crushed gravel surface. This runs roughly parallel to I-83 from Hunt Valley straight north to the Pennsylvania state line. The trail passes through farmland and forest. The prettier and less heavily trafficked areas can be found further north. Consider parking at Parkton or White Hall and heading south for an ice cream and potty break at the Monkton stop.

The Gunpowder River offers a number of other hiking possibilities for the more seasoned hiker, all well under an hour from Baltimore. Prettyboy and Loch Raven Reservoirs are an especially enjoyable part of the Gunpowder River area. The Gunpowder South trail is lovely, although steeper and more suitable for older children. My personal favorite is the hike to Prettyboy Dam, one of the prettiest parts of Maryland, and you have a choice of staying on the Gunpowder South trail from Masemore Road, or doing a shorter loop from the Highland Trail off Falls Road. Either way, you're guaranteed fabulous scenery any time of year, and fabulous foliage in the fall.

Patapsco Valley State Park covers 32 miles of the Patapsco River and 14,000 acres of space in Baltimore and Howard Counties. The park contains the Thomas Viaduct, an arched stone railway bridge dating to 1835, and there are some family hikes with easy to moderate terrain in the area. Families with older children might consider the Old Ranger Trail, a moderately difficult hike of about 1.5 miles.

If you're looking for more information on these and other trails, Bryan MacKay's book, Hiking, Cycling, and Canoeing in Maryland: A Family Guide is a useful resource with detailed accounts of a number of trails in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Now lace up your boots, don't forget to bring some water and a warm jacket, and I'll see you on the trail!

Cylburn Arboretum

Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Gunpowder Falls State Park

North Central Railroad (NCR) trail

Patapsco Valley State Park

Bryan MacKay, Hiking, Cycling, and Canoeing in Maryland: A Family Guide