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Schaeffer Farms Grand Tour

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.2 (92)
  1. Areas
  2. MD
  3. …Central Maryland
  4. …Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Rockville
  5. Seneca Creek State Park
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“A nice spin around the main loops at Schaeffer Farms ”

Leslie Kehmeier
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11.1

Miles

17.9

KM

95%

Singletrack

428' 130 m

High

230' 70 m

Low

812' 247 m

Up

818' 249 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

11%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Closed for winter if the trails are too wet, and also at night unless on a sanctioned MORE night ride. Other MD State Park rules apply.

Overview

A great trail system designed for mountain bikes, Schaeffer Farms has become the heart of riding in Montgomery County. Rolling terrain with plenty of roots to keep you on your toes, the trails are a great way to introduce someone to singletrack. The trails can be busy on weekends, and the corners (particularly on the edge of forest) can be grown in, so be on alert.

Description

To start the tour go left right out of the parking lot and ride the far side of White, a nice introduction to the system. There are multiple shortcuts back to the parking lot, as well as the new Seneca Ridge Trail which will lead you out of the park. Also off the white loop is the Seneca Connector, a new one direction expert only line, which offers some g-outs and chances for your wheels to leave the ground.

Continue on White all the way around to Yellow and then head left to pedal all the way out to the corn fields. On the return trip, ride the optional orange connectors back to White. Take another left and ride all the way back to the trailhead.

Schaeffer Farms can be done in a number of different combinations. It's pretty easy to mix and match and get just the amount of riding you want.

History & Background

Originally offered as an alternative to the main loops at Seneca Creek State Park, Schaeffer farms has grown in to the main trail network in Montgomery County. The MoCo Epic, designated an IMBA epic in 2010, begins and finishes here.

Contacts

Local Club: Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE)

Land Manager: Maryland Dept Natural Resources

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 92 votes

#1

in Seneca Creek State Park

#130

Overall
  4.2 from 92 votes
5 Star
38%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
12%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Seneca Creek State Park

#1

in Maryland

#130

Overall
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63,385 Since Jul 2, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Biking Bad at Schaeffer Farms
Dec 4, 2018 near Darnestown, MD
Deer poked her head out from the field as we were riding by.
Sep 28, 2016 near Poolesv…, MD
Schaeffer Farms Cornfield Runs
Jul 14, 2019 near Darnestown, MD
Highlights from Schaeffer Farm Trails Area.
Sep 14, 2015 near Darnestown, MD
Flowy ride at Schaeffer Farms
Jul 14, 2019 near Darnestown, MD
Tough climb, gotta earn the DH sections
Dec 4, 2018 near Darnestown, MD

9 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 40 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 28, 2024
Crash King
Jun 2, 2022
Offie C
May 28, 2022
Franck Taillandier
10.1mi — 1h 42m
Oct 30, 2021
Bo Zhou
Sep 21, 2021
Kevin Selm
Trails in pretty good shape. Some trees down due to storms but most have been cleared out. The connector trail through the farmland is the best!
Aug 7, 2021
Rob Freishtat
Jul 11, 2021
Gary Schlager
With Motew
May 2, 2021
Rob Freishtat

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Stewarded by Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE)
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