Biking is a great way to get outside and get in some exercise. While biking is fun, it also provides great health benefits such as increasing cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, joint mobility, and strengthens bones. If you enjoy riding bikes, check out these great bike trails in your area.

DC/Baltimore Area

• Baltimore Washington International Trail: Great for families and bike riders of all ages and skill level, this trail takes you on a 12.5-mile ride around the airport. Need a break from pedaling? A playground is located along the paved route that the children will love.
• Northern Central Railroad Trail: Slightly more challenging, this stone dust surface trail leads you along a 20-mile ride. During the weekends the south end of the trail can get crowded, so head toward the north end for a quieter ride.
• Gwynns Falls Trail: This 15-mile ride leads you along the Gwynns Falls Stream. Lined with large boulders and small rapids, this natural terrain trail is fantastic for observing Baltimore’s waterways.
• Jones Falls Trail: Running through Druid Hill Park, this 2.7-mile trail offers views of the Botanical Gardens and the Maryland Zoo. Riders may also continue for another 1.5-mile ride around the Reservoir Loop.
• C & O Canal Towpath: Running along the Potomac River, this ride offers 185 miles of trail to explore. The C & O Canal Towpath trail connects to the Great Allegheny Passage, adding another 150 miles of trail that runs straight through the heart of Pennsylvania.

Lehigh Valley

• Nor-Bath Trail: This 5.1-mile trail runs through residential areas, as well as around open fields and streams. Need a rest? Park your bike under a tree and enjoy the 64 acres of Bicentennial Park. Bring a friend or your family, but pets are prohibited along this trail.
• Saucon Rail Trail: This popular trail is newly extended and runs 7 miles from Hellertown to Coopersburg. Ride alongside good company, as this easy trail is great for runners and walkers, also. You will pass by four parks that offer picnic spots and restrooms, so bring the whole family.
• Ironton Rail Trail: A mostly paved, flat 9.2-mile trail loops around parks and developments. Enjoy scenery as this path trails along Coplay Creek and through Hokendauqua Park before bringing you to Saylor Park where the last standing cement kilns in the US stand in two rows.
• Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor: This 165-mile trail starts in Bristol along the Delaware River and then continues along the Lehigh River. With a wide variety of surfaces, you will ride along flat, crushed stone, and paved surfaces. Also, enjoy wildlife as you ride among the scenic trees.
• Delaware and Lehigh Trail- Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail: Enjoy this 25.7-mile, crushed stone path that leads you through 4,500 acres of river gorge parkland. This scenic ride offers views of the river as well as 15 miles of scattered waterfalls among the steep rock surfaces. Harrisburg
• Schuylkill River Trail. Great for bird watching and wildlife, this trail follows along Angelica Creek to KenGrill Recreations Center.
• Bear Hole Trail: This 5.5-mile trail runs through the woodlands of Swatara Creek. Travel along a crushed stone path to view the moss-covered ruins of old stone canal locks. Bikes with wide tires are suggested for the most efficient ride.
• Blue Marsh Lake Trail: Enjoy this 28.6-mile trail that loops around a manmade reservoir. This trail features many surfaces like grass, gravel and pavement and attracts not only bikers, but walkers, hikers, runners and equestrians as well. Traveling through wetlands and fields, this hotspot offers other amenities like picnic and swimming areas.
• Buffalo Valley Rail Trail: This gravel trail runs 9 miles between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg. Due to the trail’s steady and slight incline, this trail is great for new bikers. Most of the trail is open and flat, leading you through farmlands and open fields.
• Conewago Recreation Trail: This 5.1-mile trail leads you along numerous horse farms, forests and open farmlands. The trail mostly parallels the Conewago Creek. Made of fine crushed stone, this trail is great for bikers as it mostly shaded by trees that line the meadows.

Tidewater

• Virginia Beach Boardwalk Bike Path: Enjoy this oceanfront trail that runs parallel to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk for 3 miles between 40th Street and Rudee Inlet. The Boardwalk is often very populated, people come to walk, run, rollerblade or bike, so be mindful of pedestrians. Proper bike etiquette is to pass on the left and to give pedestrians warning you are passing or behind them.
• Capital Trail: Covering 52 miles between Jamestown and Richmond, this trail offers an easy and fun ride. A paved asphalt trail that takes you over gentle rolling hills past woods and fields, this trail makes for a good family-friendly weekend activity.
• Birdneck Road Trail: This 2.1-mile ride along a concrete path is great for beginners. Leading you past parks, golf courses and tennis courts, and an amusement park, there is plenty to look at along this fun ride. Enjoy the family-friendly outdoor path that connects Norfolk Ave. and General Booth Ave.
• Cape Henry Trail: This trail is a mixture of asphalt, crushed stone, gravel and sand that extends 7.5 miles through a heavily wooded terrain. Consisting of a combination of hilly and flat land, this trail is great for beginners and small children.

Philadelphia

• Wissahickon Valley Park: This park offers over 50 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, runners and equestrians. The trails are scenic, offering babbling brooks, spacious fields, and a quiet atmosphere. If you want to cool off after a bike ride, the park also offers swimming opportunities, as well as rope swings for the kids.
• Schuylkill River Trail: This asphalt trail runs from Valley Forge to Philadelphia in a 27-mile stretch. Slightly more populated during rush hour commute, this trail has become a hotspot in the Philadelphia area.
• West River/ Kelly Drive Loop: Get in a workout while enjoying the scenery with views of the skyline, river and Boat House Row. This 8.4-mile trail is closed to cars on the weekends, making it the perfect place to ride bikes.
• Pennypack Park: Check out this park for a quiet escape from the big city. Because the trail is made up of more than 9 miles of single and double track, paved, and dirt roads, this trail is great for bikers looking for a challenge. Enjoy peaceful scenery as well as a creek and wildlife such as deer, geese, ducks, birds, and interesting insects.
• Forbidden Drive: There’s no way to get lost on this 6.6-mile loop trail. Well maintained, this trail is great for bikers looking to get out and enjoy nature. The trail covers ground from Ridge Avenue in Manayunk and ends at Northwestern Avenue in Chestnut Hill.

Richmond

• Belle Isle: This popular island in the James River has a gravel loop for casual and beginner cyclists. The interior of the island features some challenging, yet satisfying, mountain bike trails. Not into trails? Try visiting the Skills Park, a bike park that offers drop ins, jumps, roll overs, stairs, banks, descents, and a small pump track.
• Buttermilk and Northbank Trails: Looking for a more difficult mountain bike trail? Check out this 6.2-mile loop that will keep your heart racing. Check out the city skyline and the James River along this single-track trail in the heart of the city. The trail features small elevation changes and technical areas that are great for training for a race.
• Forest Hill Park: This family friendly trail is great for biking. Offering numerous bike trails with decent climbs and a restored lake, this trail is a scenic and peaceful trail for all ages. Grab your bike and enjoy the wildlife and fresh air.
• Pocahontas State Park: Options abound for riders of all levels in this large park. There are over 45 miles of single-track mountain biking trails, and over 60 miles of gravel fire roads. With a wide variety of well-maintained trails, bikers will experience wildlife among the woods and tricky trails that involve ups and downs, switchbacks, and roots.
• Pony Pasture: A nice ride for beginners, this trail, which is part of the James River Park System, offers an easy ride with no hills or elevations. This double track trail is made from crushed stone and gravel, and offers an easy ride, though you might get a little muddy if conditions are wet.

Northern Virginia

• Washington and Old Dominion Trail: Enjoy the urban heartland and countryside of Northern Virginia while riding this trail. This 45-mile trail connects Shirlington to Purcellville and runs through Vienna, Reston, Herndon and Leesburg.
• Alexandria Heritage Trail: This 23-mile trail offers views of historic landmarks. While the majority of this trail is paved, the ride may challenge riders with steep hills and partially off-road sections of the trail.
• Martha Custis Trail: This trail runs parallel to Interstate 66 through Arlington. A challenging ride, this trail offers moderate climbs, and winding turns, but provides great scenery. The trail runs directly to the Key Bridge and connects to the Mount Vernon Trail.
• Burke Lake Park: This trail is open for runners, walkers, bikers, and more. This gravel trail circles the scenic Burke Lake, providing plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery. The entire trail is about 4. 7 miles and is great for beginners.

South Jersey

• Pine Barrens River Ramble: This trail leads you along the scenic Pinelands National Reserve. Enjoy views of pine and oak forests, blueberry and cranberry bogs, as well as three major rivers. The entire trail is 42.6 miles long and is open to bikers, walkers and runners.