|
Hike |
| Location |
Gunpowder Falls State Park, Big Gunpowder Trail, Central Area, 410-592-2897 |
| Trail Access |
Parking area and trailhead are where Route 1 (Bel Air Road) crosses the Big Gunpowder Falls, about 5.4 miles north of I-695 (the Beltway). Follow the white blazed trail on the southwest corner of the bridge near the restaurant/tavern. |
| Distance |
4.8 miles (one way to Harford Road) |
| Time |
3 to 4 hours |
| Trail |
Trail runs between Bel Air Road and Harford Road. Trail is a single-track dirt surface on mostly level terrain. It follows the floodplain of the Big Gunpowder Falls and involves some stream crossings. |
| Skill Level |
Easy to moderately difficult |
| Suitable For Families? |
Yes, with older children |
| Hazards/Restrictions |
No motorized vehicles. Trail can be muddy, especially in spring. Be careful of stream crossings during higher water. Do not cross if water is flowing over the rocks. |
| Potable Water |
Carry in your own water. |
| Natural Features |
Floodplain trail in a piedmont river valley gorge along the Big Gunpowder Falls visits hardwood forest and crosses several streams. Great blue heron and beaver habitat. |
| Historic/Cultural Features |
Where the trail crosses Sawmill Branch, the transformer building is near the site of Fox's Sawmill, which dates to 1850. As the trail approaches Harford Road, a stone cottage across the river was once the Gunpowder Copper Works (1804-1883). This sheet and bolt mill produced the copper dome of the U.S. Capitol after the War of 1812. |
| Camping |
Organized youth group primitive camping nearby at Camp Cone. Call the park office to reserve, 410-592-2897. |
| Other Points of Interest |
Several other trails leave from the same parking area on Bel Air Road. |
| Other Accommodations |
Hotels/motels located in White Marsh off Route 43. |
| Service Charges or Permits |
Youth group camping permit fees only. |
| Description |
On the south bank, the riverside path travels from Bel Air Road to Harford Road, running the length of a deep gorge. Views of the river show boulders and cobbles and great blue heron and beaver habitat. Retrace your steps and return by the same route, unless you have spotted a car at Harford Road. Although the trail is mostly level, it is rough in some sections. |
