The Northern Central Railroad trail (NCR) is another outstanding rails-to-trails project in the Northern Virginia/Maryland/Washington DC area. The NCR trail, also known as the Torrey C. Brown Trail, covers nearly 20 miles in Maryland, stretching from Ashland Road in Hunt Valley to the Maryland-Pennsylvania border where it joins the 21-mile Heritage Rail Trail into Pennsylvania. The trail is 10 feet wide with a stone dust surface.
Together the NCR trail combined with the York County Heritage (YCH) Trail combine for 41 miles of shaded, scenic, mostly packed gravel trail that winds from Cockeysville, Maryland to York, PA. Most of the trail follows the Gunpowder Falls River, so there are several overlooks and waterfalls along the way.
Garden Gnome display along the NCR Trail in Maryland
View of the NCR Trail
Wildflowers on the NCR Trail
Waterfall in the Gunpowder Falls River next to NCR Trail
There are a handful of porta potties along the trail, but not much other civilization. Ensure you bring water, spare tubes, and anything else you might need during your ride.
Just started looking around the website. I’m already interested in several of the places. Will be riding on the Heritage trail in a couple weeks, weather permitting. Hope all is well. Enjoy the journey.
Hi Tim, thanks for the feedback! I’m glad someone is finding the content useful. I have a ton more stuff to write about, just need to find time to do it! Enjoy the ride, talk to you later.