Northwest Branch Trail

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

There is ample parking at either end of the trail: Burnt Mills West Special Park on Route 29 or along Kemp Mill Road (finding the trailhead the first time from Route 29 can be a little tricky).

From the parking in Burnt Mills West Special Park, travel south on the sidewalk crossing over Northwest Branch 100 feet to locate the trailhead marker. The initial steep, rocky stream crossing right at the trail's entrance is the most technical portion of this trail.

The first third of the trail traverses a steep hillside through a dense forest with great views of the stream below. You'll cross several tributary creeks on wooden bridges which can be slippery if wet.

The middle third hugs closer to the water and is generally wider with multiple lines through rocky sections. Experienced riders can pick more aggressive lines with larger obstacles. There are a few scenic spots to chill by the stream.

There is a new 1.2 mile section of machine built tail that adds a bit of elevation and some fast flowy sections between the Lamberton Rd Connector and Remington Drive Connector .

The last third of the trail is a gravel doubletrack that ends at Kemp Mill Road.

For more elevation and mileage, consider adding in the Northwood Trail, the Rachel Carson Greenway Trail north of Randolph Road, Wheaton Regional Park and any of the various neighborhood connector trails that climb out of the stream valley.

*** The section of the Rachel Carson Greenway Trail south of route 29 is now open to bikes had has several miles of new machine-built singletrack that follows the contours of the hillside. You can follow the stream bed trail or the new segments south along Northwest Branch to connect with the paved trail in Prince Georges County.