Cycling + Biking

Enjoy scenic views along the many biking trails throughout Montgomery County, MD.

Whether you’re looking for a high-intensity cycle or a leisurely ride through the park, Montgomery County, Maryland has the perfect bike trail for you. Cycle your way through scenic views, along beautiful rivers and lakes, around a mountain, or at a farm.

Map it out! Search our Montgomery County Trail Guide to find a hiking, biking or equestrian trail that’s just right for you.

When visiting parks and trails, remember to social distance by keeping six feet between you and others at all times, even when passing.

Millennium Trail: Easy Ride

The Millennium Trail is the most convenient ride in Montgomery County, Maryland because of how easy it is to go off of the path, into the city, and hop back on. The trail makes a loop around the city of Rockville and is typically used as a way to get around town or to get a good workout in. A little over 10.7 miles long, you will cycle over both asphalt and concrete paths making for an easy ride for the whole family to explore Rockville.

Capital Crescent Trails: Easy Ride

Cycle your way through the most popular trail in the county—the four-mile-long crushed stone path of Bethesda’s Capital Crescent Trail. During your ride, you will bike past many neighborhoods, rivers, parklands, and even an abandoned railroad. This trail is perfect for an easy ride with the family because of its 10-foot-wide path.

Agricultural History Farm Park: Easy Ride

Looking for a new change of scenery for your cycle? Head to the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood for a ride around the fields and countryside. The path is 5.2 miles long and ideal for a relaxing ride through scenic views. Make sure to take a break at the Pope Farm Nursery to see a variety of trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants.

Take a leisurely bike ride on one of the easy biking trails in Montgomery County, MD.

Lake Needwood Trails: Easy to Moderate Ride

Take in the views of one of the county’s most beautiful lakes at the Lake Needwood Trails. The trail offers 6.4 miles of natural surface to cycle through, which makes for fun rides with family and friends, or a moderately challenging workout ride.

Black Hill Regional Park: Easy to Intense Ride

Add a little intensity to your ride at Black Hill Regional Park where you can tackle 16 miles of natural surface trails. For a moderate or intense ride, we recommend the paved path. If you are looking to bring out the mountain bike, the natural surface trail is the right fit for you.

Take a ride on one of the many biking trails throughout Montgomery County, MD.

Rock Creek Park: Easy to Moderate Ride

Rock Creek Regional Park is one of the most well-known parks in the area covering parts of both Washington, DC and Montgomery County. The trails through the park are heavily shaded from the large trees, which is great for getting a ride in during a sunny day. With 13 miles of trail, you will experience scenic views, hill inclines, and a variety of surfaces including wide, flat, and paved on a ride through this park. Expect to see some local wildlife as well like deer and foxes.

Matthew Henson Trail: Easy to Intense Ride

The Matthew Henson Trail has a little something for all riders! Gather a group of friends for an intense group cycle or take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life for a relaxing scenic ride. The trail is 8 feet wide, 4.2 miles long, and is shared by all—don’t be alarmed if you see some horses on the natural surface paths.

Bethesda Trolley Trail: Easy Ride

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metro DC region and enjoy this former home of the Tennallytown and Rockville Railroad’s streetcar line—the Bethesda Trolley Trail! The four-mile path links Bethesda and North Bethesda with quiet, tree-lined pavement.

Use Capital Bikeshare to travel throughout Montgomery County and the DC region.
Credit: Shutterstock.com

Travel Tips (Once Safe to Travel)

Riding the Metro

Taking your bike on the Red Line Metro? The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known at the Red Line Metro, allows bicycles during all hours of operation, but they ask that you use good judgment and do not bring your bike onto crowded trains or block the aisles or doors. Click here to see WMATA’s full bike guidelines.

Pedego Bikes along the C&O Canal

Bike Rentals

A cycling adventure is readily accessible to everyone with the convenience of bike rentals located all around the county. Capital Bikeshare is a public bike-share service that has stations located along sidewalks. Purchase passes at the kiosk located next to the bikes, unlock the bike, and it’s yours for as long as you desire. Once your ride is over, you can return the bike to any Capital Bikeshare station in the area. For those looking for a specific kind of bike to ride, try local shops like Trek Bicycle Rockville in Rockville and Big Wheels Bikes in Bethesda for a variety of rentals. Another option is renting an E-Bike with Pedego and going on a guided tour.

Bike Loaner Options

Staying at the Canopy by Hilton at Pike & Rose? The hotel offers a bike loaner program for guests.

Through a contract with Zagster, bike rental stations are located at Black Hill Regional Park and South Germantown Recreational Park. Riders can make stops along the trails by using the on-bike lock.

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