Right off Route 29, south of Columbia, MD, lies a gravel parking area into which you might optimistically squeeze four cars. Scrabble down a steep, muddy slope, over a narrow stream on rocks, back up the other side, and you’re on the Gorman Stream Valley Trail.
Mostly flat, occasionally muddy, with some hilly bits in the middle. There are parallel options in some parts, some of which will lead you off the side of a cliff, so beware. You can keep going instead of turning around at the end, and sometimes we do. There are multiple methods of looping back at the end. Explore them. With a GPS.
Not crowded, as it seems few know about it, even in Covid times.
May 10, 2020 Variant
Max elevation: 316 ft
Min elevation: 229 ft
Total climbing: 857 ft
Total descent: -857 ft
Average speed: 2.85 mi/h
Total time: 02:11:17
May 24, 2020 Variant
Max elevation: 318 ft
Min elevation: 228 ft
Total climbing: 856 ft
Total descent: -859 ft
Average speed: 2.88 mi/h
Total time: 01:53:16
Mostly, you track a river. In the middle, you climb up to people’s backyards, skirting a housing development. You feel a bit jealous that these lucky people can walk out their backdoor to this. After a few houses, it’s back to the river. Depending on your choice of turnaround, you can ramble through some more woods.
Stats
| Distance | 4-5 miles |
| Elevation Gain | 270 feet |
| Total Time | 2 hours |
| Average Pace | 26-30 minutes per mile / 2-2.6 mph |