Baltimore & Annapolis Trail facts for kids

Baltimore-Annapolis Trail
Established	1990
Length	13.3 mi (21.4 km)
Trailheads	Light Rail at Cromwell Station & BWI Trail John Oversteet Connector to Naval Academy Bridge in Annapolis, Maryland

The Baltimore & Annapolis Trail is a fun path in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It's about 13.3 miles long. This trail was once a railroad line! It starts near Annapolis and goes all the way to Glen Burnie.

The trail passes through several towns. These include Arnold, Severna Park, and Pasadena. It's a great place for biking, walking, and running. The trail opened on October 7, 1990. It was the second "rail trail" in Maryland.

In 1996, the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail became part of the East Coast Greenway. This is a huge trail system! It stretches from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. The trail is also part of the American Discovery Trail. This amazing trail goes from the Atlantic coast in Delaware to San Francisco, California.

What is the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail Like?

This trail is a paved path built on an old railroad line. It's like a long, narrow park! The trail goes through neighborhoods and wooded areas. You can see many trees and streams along the way. It's a great spot to enjoy nature.

Cool Stops Along the Trail

Two main stops on the trail are:

• Severna Park, around mile 4.8.
• Glen Burnie, around mile 12.7.

The trail also goes by the Marley Station Mall. You can also find the Ranger Station there.

Explore History on the Trail

Look for special historical markers from A to Z. These markers tell you about the trail's past. They were created by a Boy Scout in 1993. Marker A is near Annapolis. Marker Z is at mile 13.3. It tells about the Sawmill Branch. This branch provided water and power long ago. These markers show how the railroad helped communities grow. You might even see old switch boxes and parts of track!

Fun Features and Scenery

The trail has pretty flowerbeds and information kiosks. There's even a special "Planet Walk"! This walk is sponsored by NASA. It's like an outdoor museum. You can learn about each planet and the sun with cool displays. Most of the trail is surrounded by forests. It also has several bridges. A power line runs next to the trail for most of its length.

Connecting to Other Trails

The northern end of the trail is in Glen Burnie. It's near Maryland Routes 176 and 648. Here, it connects to the BWI Trail Loop. This loop is about 12.5 miles long. It goes all the way around the Baltimore–Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The old railroad path continues north from here. It becomes the Baltimore Light Rail. This train line starts at Cromwell Station.

Annual Marathon Event

Since 1998, the trail has hosted a popular event. It's called the B&A Trail Marathon and Half Marathon. This race happens every spring. Many runners come to participate!

History of the Railroad Trail

The trail gets its name from the old railroad line. It was called the Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad. The railroad started way back in 1887. It was first known as the Annapolis Short Line. Later, it became part of the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway. Finally, in 1935, it became the B&A.

The railroad stopped carrying passengers in 1950. Freight service ended in 1969. After that, the old railroad property started to look run-down. People became interested in turning it into a park. In 1979, Anne Arundel County bought the land. They wanted to create a "rail trail" and a park for everyone to enjoy. Another part of the old railroad is now the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail.