Gwynns Falls Trail

The Gwynns Falls Trail

The Gwynns Falls Trail is a unique urban hiking and biking trail providing access to a scenic and historic greenway stream valley in Baltimore City. The Trail travels through an environmentally valuable urban greenway park in west and southwest Baltimore City along the Gwynns Falls stream valley, a historically and culturally significant area. The greenway now connects over 2,000 acres of publicly owned land within the Gwynns Falls stream valley and includes one of the largest wilderness woodland parks in the Eastern United States - the Gwynns Falls and Leakin parks. These parks alone encompass 1,200 acres and house approximately 10 miles of additional paths that wander up and down the parks' slopes. These paths are wonderful for hiking and are expecially unique in an urban setting.

We are very pleased that the Trail has been designated as part of the East Coast Greenway and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. We look forward to seeing you on the Trail soon. Please come out end enjoy this wonderful environmental and recreation resource.

Check out the new Gwynns Falls Trail Map and Information Guide!

News

The Gwynns Falls – Baltimore Greenway to the Chesapeake Bay, a book by W. Edward Orser, is now available. Click to find out more!

Listen as Nathan Sterner of National Public Radio (NPR) laces up his hiking boots for a stroll through the scenery - and the history - of the Gwynns Falls Trail with UMBC American Studies Professor Edward Orser. Professor Orser is the author of the new book The Gwynns Falls - Baltimore Greenway to the Chesapeake Bay.

Hear more as Nathan and Ed talk about a huge water wheel which can be seen along the Gwynns Falls Trail, in a part of Leakin Park that was once the country estate of railroad magnate Thomas Winans. Today, no one is sure how - or even if - the wheel worked.

Click the image above and find out why the Trail is for the birds!

The Gwynns Falls Trail will be buzzing this fall, with many activities, events and programs. Please check our calendar for more information!

(Click image for a larger view.)

Click for more information about the 2008 Art on the Trail event.

This will be the last week to see Art on the Trail 2008, our 7th annual environmental art show that starts at Winans Meadow and travels up the new portion of the trail to the northwest. The park is open from 8am to dusk so come explore and be sure to come to:

The Art on the Trail 2008 Closing Celebration!!!
Saturday, November 22, 2008, 1pm-3pm
(Rain date: Sunday, November 23, same schedule)
Location:
Winans Meadow and Trailhead #2 in Gywnn’s Falls Park, 4500 Franklintown Road, Baltimore 21229
Program:
Guided art and park history tour at 1:30pm and 2:30pm; participate in art projects; make your own paper sun dial; go on a nature scavenger hunt; play a lawn game; enjoy music by Woody Lissauer (http://woodylissauer.com); make music with sound objects found in nature; meet wild creatures from the Carrie Murray Nature Center
Last chance to enjoy the Art!

Please check our site often for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities happening on the Gwynns Fall Trail!

Share your thoughts about the Trail and complete our online survey!

The Trail is the best place to bike according to the City Paper!

The Trail has been extended to the I-70 Park and Ride. A total of 15 miles is complete and open for use!

Learn more about FALLS INTO WORDS, a folklore collection project!

The Trail is Now Part of the
Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network!

A Unique Urban Greenway and Stream Valley Connector for Baltimore

The Gwynns Falls Trail begins in Leakin Park and generally follows the Gwynns Falls stream to the Middle Branch and the Inner Harbor of the Patapsco River. The Gwynns Falls 15-mile trail system is open, including the new trailhead at the I-70 Park & Ride.

The Gwynns Falls Trail is a continuous recreation corridor that connects over 30 neighborhoods in west and southwest Baltimore with parklands, unique urban environmental features, cultural resources and historic landmarks. Local residents and visitors are able to bike, hike, roller blade, fish in the stream, picnic, watch for birds and other wildlife, undertake environmental education activities, find solitude and enjoy nature, host community festivals and meet friends and neighborhood residents along the Trail.

Special Points of Interest and Activities
Some points of interest near or along the currently improved section of the Trail are the Crimea Mansion, the Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Program, the City's Carrie Murray Nature Center, Leon Day Park, the Carrolton Railroad Viaduct, the historic Mt. Claire Mansion, the B&O Railroad Museum, Carroll Park, Middle Branch Park, Waterview West wildlife observation boardwalk and deck, the Baltimore Rowing Club, M&T Bank Stadium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Solo Gibbs Park, Federal Hill Park, and the Inner Harbor Promenade. The Trail route offers easy access to Baltimore's historic cultural heritage, reopening a carriage path built on an old mill race, ruins of a mock civil war fort, a relic water wheel, and eighteenth century plantations and mansions.

The Trail has been the site of several unique and innovative park events and activities including National Trails Day, Tour du Park, music concerts, movies in the park, the Leon Day Park Celebration, Cycle For Life Bike Tour, haunted hikes, poetry slams, Walk for Wildlife, a prescreening of Blair Witch: Book of Shadows, annual Art on the Trail exhibits, and an assortment of festivals, reunions, and group picnics. A new 300-person picnic pavilion, amphitheater, and restrooms have been constructed at the Winans Meadow Trailhead as well as new facilities provided at Leon Day Park including a playground, lighted sports fields for baseball, football, and basketball courts, and restrooms.

Take a look at the various informational panels on display along the Trail by clicking the text links below. Or, open the small Baltimore City map below and access the panel information by clicking on one of the 29 numbered areas along the Gwynns Falls Trail.

1 - Blocking the Expressway
2 - Franklintown's Historic Roots
3 - Crimea Estate
4 - A Name Before a Place
5 - Dickeyville's Historic Legacy
6 - An Old Mill Stream
7 - Olmsted Park Plan
8 - Leon Day Park
9 - Ellicott Driveway at Gwynns Falls
10 - Bridging Gwynns Falls
11 - Early Transportation Routes
12 - Ellicott Flour Mills
13 - Rowhouses: a Baltimore Tradition
14 - Early Industries
15 - Carrollton Viaduct
16 - Of Fords, Felles and Falls
17 - Restoring Water Quality
18 - Carroll Park
19 - Mount Clare: the Georgia Plantation
20 - Gas, Dredges, Beer and Pianos
21 - Solo Gibbs Park
22 - Struggling for Equality
23 - Federal Hill and Otterbein
24 - Port of Baltimore
25 - The Olmsted Legacy
26 - Gwynns Falls Trail
27 - Reviving the Waterfront
28 - John Smith Explores Patapsco
29 - Cherry Hill
30 - Orianda House
31 - From Bricks and Pianos to Football

Become a member of the Gwynns Falls Trail Council or volunteer today!