Germantown, MD: Schaeffer Farm

An 18-mile trail near DC and Baltimore, Schaeffer Farm is a perfect weekend destination for local mountain bikers. In particular, this gentle terrain is well-suited to novices or intermediates, though expert riders (and skilled cyclocrossers) could certainly tear up this cross country course and not be bored.

Start heading south on the White Trail for a short distance, and then bear right onto the Yellow Trail. You’ll pass cows in the field to the right before ducking back into the woods on hard-packed singletrack over stream crossing and log obstacles.

As the Yellow Trail loops back east, keep an eye out for the Red Trail. This recent lollipop addition offers a challenging mile with short, twisted ascents out of stream crossings and narrow foliage passages that have yet to be widened by the masses.

Synch back up with the Yellow Trail heading east, and then jump onto the Blue Trail for a dust-kicking straightaway through an open field. Depending on the season, you’ll either be blazing through head-high corn stalks or be frightening herds of deer snacking on harvest leftovers.  Pick up some speed for the hill on the opposite side of the field, and rejoin Yellow Trail heading back to the trailhead.

TO TRAILHEAD: From Bethesda, head north on I-270 to exit 15B for State Highway 118S. Merge onto MD 116 and continue for 2.8 miles; turn right onto Richter Farm Rd. In 0.6 mile, turn left onto Schaeffer Rd. Continue on Schaeffer Rd. for 0.9 mile (through a traffic circle), and turn left onto Kingsview Village Ave. Make an immediate left off of Kingsview about 100 feet from Schaeffer Rd. Go 0.2 mile to trailhead parking.