Herrington Manor To Swallowfalls

I rode this when I was out in the area in early-mid October and looking for a place to get a ride in. I saw it listed here on Singletracks an decided to try it out. I started at Herrington Manor and rode out to Swallow Falls and back, about 12 miles round trip. Bike was a 27.5 Ti hardtail.

This is not really a challenging trail, but as another reviewer points out, it's not an appropriate beginner trail due to the fairly numerous rock gardens. Only take a beginner here if you want to turn them off the sport for good. And that's the big problem with this trail - it's just not much fun. It looks to me like most of the trail is the remains of an old road, probably a depression-era dirt road from when both parks were Civilian Conservation Corps camps. It's been allowed to go back to nature since then, so that while the road bed is fairly wide, the actual rideable trail is mostly singletrack. But because it started out as a road, it's graded and oriented more for automobiles, not bikes. There's one or two interesting sections, but not enough to make up for the numerous tedious, tooth-rattlingly rocky straights. Smooth, flowy singletrack is in short supply here. It may have been worse because I rode it at the height of autumn, and the newly fallen leaves hid many of the rocks. Maybe there was a smoother line hidden under there, but I probably won't go back to find out. I was glad when this ride was over, and not because I was tired.

Took my 6 year old out on this trail for his first full length trail ride. Lots of reviews, along with the rating on this web site rated the trail "beginner". Also stated that it is mostly double track and flat. NOT THE CASE AT ALL. I am a very experienced rider and definitely would rate this trail towards the INTERMEDIATE level due to the rock gardens scattered throughout, the off camber roots on the steeper (small) decent and climbs, and the overall condition of the trail. the trail, at least up until we hit Swallow Falls Rd, was all single track too.
For an experienced rider, sure, its an easy ride. But for a true Beginner, like my son, it was a disastrous attempt to ride the trail. I spent a good portion of the time pushing his bike and trying to calm his frustration and disappointment down. We luckily hit Swallow Falls Rd and took that back to Swallow Falls SP. For anyone rating the trails, please keep in mind what "beginner" really means! These days lots of kids are starting to MNT bike super early.

Excellent ride. Path very wide. Nice change of scenery and terrain. Nothing too strenuous. Could get some speed going at times. Beautiful parks at both ends.

I rode from Swallow Falls SP to Herrington and back. About 45 minutes each way. No major climbs or downhills. 98% rideable for me. I rode dual squish and glad I did. Trail work and blazes are great. Mostly doubletrack with .5 mi of singletrack. Sp entrance requires fee. I would rate this trail intermediate not a beginner.

Fairly smooth with some mildly challenging roots and rocks. The area around Herrington Manor has additional trails, some on dirt roads or snowmobile trails.