Staying in the Main Wincopin Trail system via the main parking area it is about a 4.5 mile intermediate ride or add the Yellow and White Trails for an extra 2.0 Miles up and back of advanced stream crossings, log rolls, and rock gardens, all makable.
The recommended route from the Main Trail Head: There is some doubling back but it maximizes the distance while minimizing overlap in the same direction and makeability:
Start: Main Parking Lot->Stait on Red Trail, this is the main (wide) trail through the park)-> Left on Green Trail->The Green trail merges with the Blue Trail, stay on it all the way to down to almost river level (This portion of the trail is not on many maps)->Make a Left on to the Green Trail (The Middle Patuxent River is in front of you), make a hard Left and follow a wide section of trail that runs along the Little Patuxent River, past the ruins of an old bridge, make a hard Left and up a “long” hill-> Merge back with the Blue trail-> Make a Left and stay on the Blue trail (don’t go straight on the Green Trail), make a Left back on the Green trail and down some stairs (Line: Left on the first section, it turns Right and cross the stairs, then ride down the right of the stairs), make a left and ride along the Little Patuxent River->Make a Left on the Blue tail and back up the hill->Trail merges with the Green (Yes you have been here before)->Make a Left and stay on the Blue trail (don’t go straight on the Green Trail)->Make a Right (don’t go Left this time) and the trail merges with the Green trail->Make a Left on the Green trail (don't go straight on the Blue trail), cross a small bridge->Left on the Red trail->Quick Left again on the Red trail and go down the stairs, and ride along the Middle Patuxent River, this loops around, [Advanced option: Make hard Left on the Yellow this is a short loop and comes back around to almost the same spot. It has a quick drop and back up a rock garden. If you want more, follow the White trail along the Middle Patuxent under the I-95 for about a mile until you get to Vollmerhaussen Rd. almost at Murray Hill Rd. The Trail ends here and you have to go back the way you came. The White trail is by far the most challenging option with log rolls, stream crossings, and rock gardens…all makeable at times (Rains affect the trails). A mile up and a mile back.]-> Make a Left on the Red Trail, go straight at the next fork->Make a Right on the Green Trail->Left on the Blue trail->Right on the Red Trail->Back to the parking lot.
Fast, fun and loamy with enough rocks thrown in for a bit of gnar to make it fun. Park at parking lot and ride in on what starts as a paved trail. Take it and bomb loamy goodness that is blue then climb back up green. You'l just just be a bitnup the trail you came in on from where blue started. Then take what is I think a yellow marked trail to the left. It's a gnarly down you can bomb, then ride along river and climb abck out other side to get back to where you started. You can turn around and bomv that down- longer but not as steep or gnarly, then turn around and climb back up. These two loops are fun to session. You can take the white trail all the way out to where it hits the road and then come back on it. White is typical singletrack for this area with some real burner climbs and was just OK compared to the others. The down on Blue and the down on yellow are pretty unique- come here for them.
| ThankNot bad if you live relatively close. I think the entire loop (including white/yellow) can be made in less than an hour. A lot of the trail is wide, but if you continue to the yellow/white, it transitions to singletrack, some of it through sand. If you're a beginner with hardtail (like me), follow the directions, otherwise, you'll probably need to dismount for two downhill sections over rocks which may be outside your comfort zone. I also dismounted for the yellow trail dh. By comparison, I ride Schaeffer Farms/Hoyles Mill; nothing there is as steep dh/uphill.
However, most of this is very rideable, even for beginners.
| Thankvery nice system. generally wide trails, well built. Some of the elevation changes are steep techy descents and crazy technical climbs. good work out.
| ThankA great trail that's meticulously maintained. The recent rain/flooding has damaged much of the lower river-side trails but I'm sure this will be cleaned up soon. You can spend a least a few hours exploring single track and some semi-technical drops. If you live in the area check it out ..not the most technical ride you'll ever experience, but a beautiful river-flanked ride with some neat ruins.
| ThankI've ridden from Savage Mill to Lake Elkhorn in Columbia... Haven't had much time to discover the wooded trails due to work & lack of day light... But I will let you know as I discover more trails... The paved trail is good for exercise and I've been hitting it at night with a head light and bike light..... Safe, clear and partial paved... Some fun lips to smack on the sides of the trail... Looking to discover more... Its close to home for me...
| ThankGood stuff could use a trail map at parking lot to explain all different trails but it was fun wish I had more time to try them all
| ThankThese trails are close to my house and I ride here often. Trails are well maintained and see a lot of hikers and dog walkers there. No dabs or dismounts. There are a few step sections that can be cleaned, but more difficult if going uphill. Some good views of the rivers nearby. Can be linked up with a rail trail that goes to Lake Elkhorn or to Savage Mill Trail to add more mileage or scenery.
| ThankPortions of the Wincopin Trail (Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow) are marked with colored blazes on trees. These trails total 3.73 miles. Initially, all trails follow the paved Red Trail south out of the parking lot. Other trails branch from this main stem; the intersections are marked by square wooden signposts. Some trail segments are level and relatively easy riding; many portions are rocky; all contain steep slopes—some more than others. The trails are heavily used by joggers and dog walkers.
| ThankRode back here Geocaching a few times. Trail is linear and connects with Savage Mill Trails on the south end. Nice views of river and I-95 bridge. Can be better maintained and overgrown in the summer. Some technical spots as well as deep sand in places. Can be wet as it is a valley.
| ThankGreat single track to be had here. Can't recommend the white blazed trail enough, as it is fast and full of technical rocky sections. I was able to get in 6.5 miles by riding the trails at random. There was some doubling back, but the signs are very clearly placed and it seems hard to get lost (I rode back during twilight my first time and had no problems navigating). I saw some erosion damage from the storms this summer. However, it is nothing a good bunny hop or quick hike n bike can't fix. I recommend this for locals in Columbia who don't feel like getting on 95 to Patapsco or enthusiasts who just want a change of scenery.
| Thank- Side note: There is a big yellow speed limit sign for bikers at the trail head (10 mph).