If you’re near Baltimore, and are looking for a nice ride that’s long, but not too challenging, check out the Northern Central Railroad Trail. It starts with a mild climb, and it’s a great family ride or beginner’s ride, with lots of scenery but no hills that will make people think you’re nuts. It’s got a lot of interesting stopping places for breaks, and don’t forget your camera. It can get a bit crowded in certain spots, but it’s navigable.

The Green Ridge State Forest near Hagerstown has over 20 miles of trails to choose from. Some of the trails are a little more challenging, but most of them are suitable for even beginners. They are well-maintained single- and double-tracks with a variety of terrain to keep things interesting. Even intermediate and advanced riders will find something to enjoy here.

One of the hidden gems of Maryland is the Fair Hill Equestrian Center. It’s close to Wilmington and runs against the Delaware border. As a horseback course, the trails are well maintained, and there’s a $2 map of the entire network. Watch out for the occasional road apple and remember that horses have the right of way. For challenges, there are creek crossings, hills, logs, and lots of twists and turns.

If you’re looking to get some riding out around the DC area, check out Cedarville State Park. This 8-mile loop has some gentle rises, but is mostly flat. It’s a bit more manicured, but there’s still enough trees and greenery to give you a good woodland feel. All the trails are color coded and well marked – bring some cash. There’s a $3 entry fee to get in, but it’s worth it, and is the closest place to the capital to get in some good riding.

If you still like riding on railroad cuts, we can recommend the Haystack Railroad Trail near LaVale. Fair warning – this is for experienced riders only, as it’s got some steep cuts and a lot of hard trails. Motorcycles use these trails as well, so keep an eye peeled and your ears ready; this area is getting slowly built up as an outdoor recreation area, so check back regularly for new trails.

Lexington Park is our last destination, and it holds Saint Mary’s River Park, which has attractions for riders of high skill. Roughly 8 miles of single track course work is pretty technical, with short, hard climbs, lots of mud, roots, tight turns and creek crossings. It’s a huge workout and is only open from March through November. If you come in the earlier part of the year, when it’s rainy, expect to be coated in mud by the time you’re done.

Maryland has occasionally been referred to as “America in Miniature.” This is because the incredible diversity with topography. This can be a biker’s dream. The trails listed above are a great place for you to get started. Happy trails!

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There’s a great bike trail in Corbin suitable for riders of all experience levels. It starts out nice and easy, headed predominantly downhill to Laurel Lake. Then it travels around the lake incorporating a few minor climbs and some switchbacks before entering an 8-mile run to the Holly Bay Marina. The final 4-mile stretch will bring you to the Corbin City Dam. A second trail in Corbin-the Cane Creek Trail-offers fresh scenic views with a bit more technical difficulty for riders who want more of a challenge.

Capital View Trails near Frankfort have something for every rider. The trails are well-maintained and quite popular with locals. So be prepared for some heavy bike traffic. Beginners can use the first section that runs along a deer trail down to the creek. From there on out, the trail becomes more challenging with large sinkholes, steep hills, fast descents, rock gardens, ramps and drops.

If dry, dusty terrain amid small hills without the steep grade is more your style, the Canal Loop not far from Paducah is the trail to try. This trail creates a loop incorporating 11 miles of trails including branches you can follow to add variety and distance to your excursion. For speed lovers and beginners, this is a very attractive trail!

Jenny Ridge near Murray is a fairly technical and steep trail that will challenge intermediate to experienced bikers. It’s about a 31-mile loop from Golden Pond to Canal Loop. Since it’s not well-traveled, you don’t have to worry about crowding on the trails. Be prepared to cross a few streams and enjoy some outstanding views of Kentucky Lake.

Seasoned riders will also relish the challenge of the Iron Furnace Cave Run Lake Trail not far from Morehead. With 9 miles of sharp inclines, it’s an uphill battle combined with switchbacks, that will test your endurance. But once you get to the top, the view of Cave Run Lake is fantastic! Be sure you have a good bike, though, because the ride down could get a little rough without good brakes.

Not far from Louisville, the Cherokee/Seneca Trail packs 12 miles of fun variety into a loop for riders of all levels. Some sections are more suited to beginners than others, with other sections featuring lots of stream crossings and mud, roots to navigate, and big drops and rapid descents more suited to experienced riders. People also like to hike and walk this route, so keep your eyes open for trail users on foot while you’re riding.

If biking Kentucky’s hill country sounds like your idea of fun and relaxation, you’ll really enjoy the state’s biking trails. And all of the variety the Bluegrass State has to offer is a fantastic bonus. Ride safe and plan to have a blast!

PJ has been riding her own bike for years and more recently, she has been riding as a family. Finding a quality, durable beginners bike wasn’t easy and the experience