Mountain Bike rides near Shepherdstown, WV, courtesy of Eastern Panhandle Bicycle
A lot of folks ask the WV Mountain Bike Association where they can ride. We created a ride guide to help folks answer that question. It cataloged our race venues for the most part and anyone elses trails that wanted to advertise them. You can download WVMBA's Ride Guide here.
There is no information about this area in the guide so I wanted to take this opportunity to make it available. Thanks to Brian of Eastern Panhandle Bicycle for sharing.
Q: I'm going to be in Shepherdstown. Where can I ride?
A: Some of the best accessible stuff in the area is Gambrills and the Frederick Watershed.
Directions to The Frederick Watershed
Follow the directions to Gambrill State Park (below) but continue down Gambrill Park Road for about 5 miles past the trail head.
Turn right onto Hamburg Road. You will find a parking area about ½ mile down the road on the right hand side.
Another area is located 3.5 miles further down Gambrill Park road. This area is commonly referred to as the Sand Flats area.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/gambrill.asp
Gambrill State Park is approximately 51 miles northwest of Washington, DC, and 53 miles west of Baltimore on Catoctin Mountain. The park is located at the end of Frederick’s “Golden Mile” or Route 40. One can park at the main entrance or head up the mountain about one mile and park at the trail head.
Gambrill provides one of the best mountain biking areas on the east coast. The trails tend to be rocky and technical.
- White Oak Trail (Bikes not permitted) 1 mile - Easy
This easy trail is an ideal choice for families with small children. The White trail is open to hikers only. - Red Maple Trail 1 mile - Moderate
The red trail is moderately difficult to ride. This is an ideal warm-up loop. One short section of the trail is fairly steep. - Green Ash Trail 2 miles - Moderate
There are several steep slopes and very little level ground, making this trail a challenge. - Black Locust Trail 3.3 miles - Difficult
This trail showcases the beauty of Gambrill State Park, from its wooded slopes to the breathtaking views of both Frederick to the east and Middletown Valley to the west. The trail passes through the High Knob Scenic Area, mixing several steep slopes with fairly level areas. - Yellow Poplar Trail 7.1 miles - Difficult
The longest of the Gambrill trails, this trail is fairly difficult to ride. Sections of the trail are quite technical and rocky. Mountain bikers can enjoy the view from North Frederick Overlook as you continue north along a moderately sloped ridge line. The Yellow Trail offers the option of a three-mile extension. - Catoctin Blue Trail 3 miles - Difficult
This trail traverses Gambrill State Park. For a longer ride, continue north 23.5 miles through the Frederick City Watershed, Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain National Park. The trail ends at Mt. Zion Road, 1.3 miles north of Owens Creek Campground in Catoctin Mountain Park.
