Free Range: A Summer Run Down the Trolley Trail
The shade provides a cooling canopy on hot days.
If running or walking outside during the hot summer months is more difficult for you, consider running at a place like the Trolley Trail No. 9.
The trail, which runs between Catonsville and Ellicott City, is a great place for runners, biker and walkers of all ability levels.
In Catonsville, the trail is accessible where Edmondson Avenue dead ends at Catonsville Middle School.
Starting in Catonsville, the trail goes downhill and takes you to edge of downtown Ellicott City. One way is just under 1.5 miles, but you can also take a side trail to the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum.
The trail is shaded most of the way and crosses several intersections. There are several benches and a stream that also meanders along the trail. For a side trip, stop at the Breadery or Jay's Country Store in Oella.
The trail is part of a network of trails created by Catonsville Rails to Trails. For a review of other rail trails in Catonsville, check out this article.
Free Range is about places outdoors that are healthful recreation for people of all ages.
In This article
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Catonsville Middle School
2301 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD -
Friends of Benjamin Banneker Historical Park
300 Oella Ave, Catonsville, MD -
The Breadery
418 Oella Ave, Catonsville, MD -
Jay's Country Corner Store
425 Oella Ave, Catonsville, MD -
Mike
8:39 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I've been walking the trail for quite some time now and have seen a big owl in the trees around the Benjamin Banneker trail. Does anybody know what kind it is? just curious.
Penny Riordan
9:51 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Interesting Mike. I haven't seen it, but I'm always running, so maybe I just haven't seen it. If you happen to see it and take a photo, email it to me at penny.riordan@patch.com and I can try to look into it.
Amanda Lauer
11:40 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
There have been barn owls reported in Banneker Park near the Molly Banneky house. They do a good job of rodent control! How big is it? Does it have a heart-shaped ruff of feathers around the face and mostly pale feathers? That's a barn owl. Smallish owls with brownish plumage might be Eastern screech owls.
Penny, thanks for mentioning Banneker Park trails. They are so lovely!
Cheryl Dunigan
9:26 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I've seen a barred owl quite a few times on the trail. Beautiful!
Bob Cross
11:06 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
The big ones are barn owls. There is a colony of them living in the woods along the #9 trail. I have seen them many times at dusk. When the leaves are off the trees and the Hunters Moon is full, it is really neat to be on the trail and watch them fly and hunt.