Now that I have an active six month old puppy, I am constantly looking for new places to walk with him. Happily, Montgomery County is home to a number of beautiful and inviting hiking and walking trails — all catered to varying skill levels. Hiking and walking aren't just great ways to exercise: they offer a chance to take in the local scenery and bond with family, pets and friends.
The first place that comes to mind when I think of walking with Captain is the C&O Canal - either at Wide Water or Great Falls. Even parts of the Billy Goat Trail are accessible for dogs and walkers. However, these areas are really crowded though on weekends and holidays. Captain recently tried to chase a runner and pulled away from me on the Canal, so now I look for quieter places to walk. Fortunately, there are other places to access the Canal which are quieter, such as Lock 10 off of the Clara Barton Parkway. Of course, there is always Rock Creek Park in DC and Sugar Loaf Mountain in Frederick County - both of which are easily accessible to Montgomery County residents and guaranteed enjoyable for your pup.
If you are tired of walking the usual trails, here are some other places to walk or hike with your pup.
Cabin John Regional Park Trails
- Location: Bethesda (located south of Montrose Road and north of Democracy Boulevard between Seven Locks Road and Westlake Drive) Cabin John is particularly appealing because there is a dog park there too - so it is a two-fer - a walking trail and a place for Captain to run off leash. Cabin John Park also has a train for small children to ride that guarantees lots of giggles and happy memories.
- Trail Characteristics: More than 4 miles of natural surface trails and less than 2 miles of hard surface trails
- Activities: Hiking, biking
Rachel Carson Conservation Park Trails
- Location: Olney
- Trail Characteristics: More than 6 miles of natural surface trails
- Activities: Hiking, horseback riding
Fairland Recreational Park Trails
- Location: Burtonsville
- Trail Characteristics: 1.5 miles hard surface trails, 5 miles natural surface trails
- Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding
Muddy Branch Greenway Trail
- Location: North Potomac-Darnestown
- Trail Characteristics: 9 miles one way; gently rolling, but hilly and steep in sections; includes several crossing of steep drainages currently awaiting bridges
- Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding
Bucklodge Conservation Park Trails
- Location: Boyds
- Trail Characteristics: More than 2 miles of natural surface trails
- Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding
Lois Y. Green Conservation Park Trails
- Location: Gaithersburg
- Trail Characteristics: 3.8 miles of natural surface trails
- Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding
Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Park Trails
- Location: Silver Spring
- Trail Characteristics: 2.8 miles of hard surface trails (wheelchair and stroller accessible). I just walked this area with a high school classmate who is using a walker right now after surgery - and it was a perfect place to walk!
- Activities: Hiking, biking, skating
Underground Railroad Experience Trail Hikes
- Location: Sandy Spring
- Trail Characteristics: 2 miles of natural surface trails; primarily in the woods, but does go around a corn field; part of the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program
- Activities: Hiking, Horseback riding
Matthew Henson Trail
- Location: Wheaton (begins at intersection of Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail and Winding Creek Local Park)
- Trail Characteristics: 4.2-mile hard surface trail featuring 0.6 miles of wooden boardwalk; surrounded by parkland, forested area, and Turkey Branch Stream
- Activities: Hiking, biking, rollerblading
Woodstock Equestrian Park Trails
- Location: Beallsville
- Trail Characteristics: More than 15 miles of natural surface trails
- Activities: Hiking, horseback riding
