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Epic route that combines both Bacon Ridge and Waterworks.

D B

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Map Key

29.4

Miles

47.4

KM

85%

Singletrack

164' 50 m

High

15' 5 m

Low

2,571' 784 m

Up

2,569' 783 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This epic ride combines all of Bacon Ridge and Waterworks into one epic ride consisting mostly of singletrack, with a pavement connection between both trail systems. Plenty of climbing—especially in Waterworks—with flow and modern trail design throughout.

Need to Know

Bring plenty of water as there are limited opportunities to fill up along the way. Park at the Northern Bacon Ridge trailhead or the Housley Road Waterworks trailhead.

Description

From the Housley Road trailhead at the Annapolis Waterworks Trail, enter the Housley Loop (Annapolis Waterworks Trail) on the left side of the grass, looking for the trailhead marker. Ride the Housley Loop (Annapolis Waterworks Trail) in your preferred direction, crossing over the stream to Missing Link (Annapolis Waterworks Trail). Follow Missing Link (Annapolis Waterworks Trail) to the Defense Highway Parking Lot. Follow the trail signs in the parking lot to the trailhead across the stream near the dam spillway. From there, ride the Solar Park Loop (Annapolis Waterworks Trail), taking the lower line for maximum fun and flow (counter clockwise direction).

After the Solar Park Loop (Annapolis Waterworks Trail), take the connector to the Silopanna Loop (Annapolis Waterworks Trail), and ride the Silopanna Loop (Annapolis Waterworks Trail) in your preferred direction. Half way through the Silopanna Loop (Annapolis Waterworks Trail), take Coheed and Camber down the hill and join up with the Honeysuckle Through Route (Annapolis Waterworks Trail). From here, you have the option to ride Honeysuckle Loop 1 (Annapolis Waterworks Trail), Honeysuckle Loop 2 (Annapolis Waterworks Trail), and/or Honeysuckle Loop 3 (Annapolis Waterworks Trail) on your way out or on your way in.

Ride the Honeysuckle Through Route (Annapolis Waterworks Trail) to Honeysuckle Lane. Take a left turn on the road, riding up to Crownsville Road. Take a right on Crownsville Road, ride for about 1/2 mile, and take a left on Hawkins Road. Travel down Hawkins Road to the Bacon Ridge Southern Trailhead. From there, ride Bacon Ridge Trail: Phase 1 in your preferred direction, before connecting to Bacon Ridge: Phase 2 - Outer Loop. Ride the loop in your preferred direction to the Bacon Ridge: Phase 2 to 3 connector. Next, ride Bacon Ridge: Phase 3 in your preferred direction.

Once you are done with Bacon Ridge Phase 3, turn around and ride back the way you came all the way to the Housley Loop (Annapolis Waterworks Trail) and the spot where you parked. For maximum fun, make sure to ride the opposite side of each loop so that you minimize the amount of "out and back" riding you do.

We will continue to add to the this route as more trail is built in Anne Arundel County.

History & Background

The Waterworks portion of the trail travels in sections adjacent to the Annapolis Solar Park, the largest solar facility on a closed landfill in the United States.

Contacts

Shared By:

D B with improvements by Alex L

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 6 votes

#1986

Overall
  4.3 from 6 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
17%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
17%
1 Star
0%
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Photos

Climb on backside.
Sep 15, 2023 near Crownsv…, MD
Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the trail at Bacon Ridge
Dec 28, 2016 near Crownsv…, MD
Biking Bad - log jump on Phase 3 trail.
Jul 5, 2021 near Crownsv…, MD
Biking Bad - shreddin' the trails at Bacon Ridge
Oct 23, 2019 near Crownsv…, MD
Biking Bad - Waterworks.
Feb 12, 2024 near Parole, MD
Roots and dirt galore
Nov 21, 2022 near Parole, MD
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 18 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Feb 11, 2023
Shua Schenker
May 11, 2022
Aaron D
Mar 14, 2021
Edwin W
Jun 16, 2020
Ronald McClary
7.6mi — 2h 13m

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