Walking & Biking Around Annapolis: In Town and Nearby

We have loved walking around Annapolis and the surrounding areas since moving here but we have gained a new appreciation for all that Annapolis has to offer during COVID-19. We take walks frequently, and try to vary our routine and destinations. So we share with you our best walks – both leaving from here as well as within a 30 minute drive or less from the Flag House Inn

But first a word from our sponsors: If you aren’t a guest with us, please have a look at our web site, we’d love to have you stay with us. Our rates include parking on site (all large hotels in town ding you $29/night) and hot cooked breakfast ($20-30/day or more elsewhere – and it’s delicious – check out our Insta ).

Our location can’t be beat, we are across from Naval Academy gate 1 (main entrance) and 2 blocks to city dock! You can book direct with us, click here …. Plan ahead and book early for your next visit, we fill up fast….

Thanks for listening – on with the (rather extensive) list:

In town

Main St – West St – Church Circle – State Circle – Maryland Ave – Prince George – King George – This is the core of Colonial Annapolis and downtown and all of this is more more than 3-4 blocks from the front door! Stroll the shops and restaurants, explore the colonial themed homes, visit the State House where George Washington resigned his commission… it’s the oldest state house in the country

Murray Hill – Acton Place – Pocket Parks – Bounded by Duke of Gloucester, West St and Spa Creek, this well kept neighborhood is full of stately homes and great vistas. Start from Flag House Inn, walk past City Dock, go up Green St (alongside Hats in the Belfry) off Main St. and enter into the residential streets Market St, Charles and Conduit St. Wind your way around to Murray, Lafayette, Southgate and other streets… Many streets have a tiny park where the street dead ends into Spa Creek, the largest of which is Acton Park at the end of Conduit, Charles, West & Shaw

Eastport Stroll – The “Maritime Republic of Eastport” (Self styled independent zone with distinctive yellow flags :-)), previously home to boat building and seafood processing factories, is full of unique restored homes, many great restaurants facing Spa Creek, and just absolutely great for a longer walk. Walk to the other end of Eastport to Davis’ Pub, a classic neighborhood spot. On the way, stop at Forward Brewing, the only/best microbrewery in walking distance.

West Annapolis – this is a longer walk, it’s about a mile to get to the start. Walk up King George, turn left and the road will wind around to the entrance at Annapolis St …. Flamant restaurant (great farm to table) will be on your left. Take a right at Giddings, Melvin or Monterrey, and eventually you’ll see water views and stately homes.

The Naval Academy – This is the safest (no uneven bricks and few cars) and most scenic and historic walk of all! Pick up a map from the sitting room, bring an ID to get through security (note – During Coronavirus lockdown, you can only get in with a defense department ID) and you are off and away. We suggest an immediate right turn leaving the security check point, walk along harbor/ waterfront, to Triton Light (single most scenic view in Annapolis) along boat basin/Severn river , cut through to Bancroft Hall / Stribling walk, past Chapel and Herndon Monument , on to Museum and across wooden bridge over College Creek to Hospital Point and John McCain’s grave… Work your way back past Worden Field and out thru gate 3 or walk down officers row and out Gate 1….

View from Triton Point

Out of Town (driving distance one way)

(All walks available on All Trails app). These parks total over 10,000 acres of open space!

Greenbury Point (10 min) – our favorite hike outside downtown Annapolis – see our blog – only negative is sometimes the park closes for military training – check status here. Increasingly popular, the the loop walk, mostly along the Severn River & Chesapeake Bay, is ~2.5 mi and add on side trails to get to 4 miles easily… Several look out points along the way

Jan 2021 local newspaper article – matches blog info

Bird in nest in water, Chesapeake Bay Bridge in background

On a clear day, both the Ospreys and Bay Bridge are in sight from Greenbury Point

Quiet Waters Park (10 min) – Favorite hike 1A, large county park, the paved perimeter trail covers 4-5 miles, but plenty of unpaved trails – See our blog – be sure to walk the South River overlook trail for a great view out to the Chesapeake Bay. They also have a kayak/canoe / bike rental along a quiet creek

Quiet Waters Park faces the South River and a creek

Quiet Waters Park has lovely vistas overlooking the South River

Baltimore & Annapolis (10 min) and BWI Trail (30 min) – see our blog for our bike ride on the B&A. If hiking, drive a bit further up Route 2 for an easier access to the trail behind Naval Bagels / bike shop as it’s a 1/2 mile walk to trail head from lot nearest to Annapolis. The trail goes all the way to BWI, and then you can do a loop around BWI and back – a 40 mile distance all in…

Man and woman in active weawr jogging down a paved path among trees

Go for a walk or bike ride on the Baltimore & Annapolis trail

Thomas Point Park (20 min) – details here and hiker’s perspective here – It’s not much of a walk but what a great perspective on the Bay, you can look up the Bay to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, straight out is the famous Thomas Point Lighthouse and down the Bay is the mouth of the South River, Kent Island and Tilghman Island… Picnic tables available, bring a folding chair. Always great when paired with a trip to Great Frogs winery

Sandy Point State Park (15 min) – A gem of a park that fronts the Bay Bridge – can go swimming or hiking – the park gets plenty busy so go early. There is a one mile beach for a nice walk . Get all info here Walking overview

Waterworks Park – (10 min) This is a fascinating set of trails – we have walked the first 5 mi RT from nearby Housely road but you can go up to 10 miles, eventually connecting with Bacon Ridge trail. Trails are nice and wide, can be busy on weekends and excellent for mountain biking too. Heavily wooded/shaded under a hardwood canopy. Some of the trail borders the original 1866 built city reservoir and consists of 4 loop trails over rolling terrain. Overview article here Reservoir hike City overview web page Extended trail map

Waterworks trail map at Housely Rd trailhead – take a pic with your phone before starting

Kent Island Bike / Walking Trail/ Access to Chesapeake Bay – See our blog on this great trail, good for walking & biking. For walkers, park at Terrapin Nature park, 1/2 mile walk to Chesapeake Bay or join the Kent Island Trail. Great article on Terrapin Nature Park.

Beverly Triton Nature Park (25 min) – 370 acres, 5 miles of trails, undeveloped park with 1 mile beach right on the Bay, what’s not to like? Go early in summer as it fills up… We went over on a sunny Sunday afternoon, the parking was closed by 130p. Many easy walking trails and a long wide open beach. Bring some chairs / blanket and make an afternoon out of it… more pics below… Note, it’s “rustic”, no running water and only spot a pots. Web site hiker’s perspective

Beachfront at Beverly Triton Park

Bacon Ridge Trail – Easy walking (or mountain bike riding ) trail about 20 minutes away. Walk through heavily forested trail, fairly flat. 5.5 mile loop trail. Another great walk in nature! Links: All Trails Overview article

Franklin Point State Park (30 min)- 477 acres in southern Anne Arundel County, undiscovered gem… details here

Patuxent Research Refuge (30 min)- See this article and home page of Refuge – 12,800 acres of wilderness spread across central MD. We finally had a chance to walk this in September 2020 and it’s really pleasant. There is a north (280 Bald Eagle Drive) and south (10901 Scarlet Tanger Loop) tract to the park, the south includes the National Wildlife Visitor Center. You can also combine with a walk/ bike on the WB&A (Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis) trail, currently 9 miles long with extensions in planning.

Smithsonian Educational Research Center /Hog Island Trail – (30 min) – 2700 acres of field, forest and marsh just 10 miles south of Annapolis. The center is open, so you can see the exhibits as well as use the restrooms. Paddlers can launch a canoe or kayak at the boat ramp and explore the creeks and islands that make the Rhode River such a treasure. Since SERC occupies most of the shoreline, it’s one of the least developed rivers in Anne Arundel County. There is quite a network of trails as well. Web site Article by local hiking guru

Glendening Nature Preserve at Jug Bay Sanctuary (35 min) – Mouthful of a name! Two paths that criss-cross the mouth of the Patuxent River. 1700 acres of protected freshwater marshes Web site Hiker’s perspective