Cylburn Arboretum Woodland Walking Trails, Baltimore, MD
Searching for peaceful, wooded, dog-friendly walking trails within easy reach of downtown Baltimore? The Cylburn Arboretum Woodland Walking Trails could be just what your pupper ordered.
This 3.5-mile trail network is found within a 207-acre nature preserve and city park, located roughly 15 minutes north of the Baltimore city center. The woodlands and meadows found here were once home to an estate, with beautiful historic buildings still found on the site today, including Cylburn Mansion.
Today, Cylburn Arboretum is recognized as Baltimore’s biggest public garden, and a welcome escape from the urban jungle of the city. And while some visit the park just to explore its gardens and enjoy some outdoor relaxation, as far as your pup is concerned, the highlight will be exploring the 3.5-mile trail network that winds through the grounds.
There are 10 trails in total, varying in length from the 0.1-mile Ridge Trail to the 0.75-mile ADA-accessible Buckeye Trail. Most are rated easy to moderate, with only the short and steep terrain of Ridge Trail earning a Challenging rating. It’s up to you whether you just explore a shorter trail out and back, or connect multiple trails together to form a larger loop — check out the trail map on the Cylburn Arboretum website to plot your route.
Best of all, dogs are welcome on the Cylburn Arboretum Woodland Walking Trails. You’ll need to keep your pup on a leash at all times and also clean up after them whenever necessary.Â
Take some water for you and your pup, then set out to explore this peaceful oasis. The park’s landscape is dotted with mature hardwoods like northern red oak and American beech, while it’s also worth keeping an eye out for colorful wildflowers (particularly on Circle Trail) during spring. And because the area is popular with birdwatchers, be sure to keep an eye out for the more than 160 feathered species that have been spotted here.
The park is open Tuesday to Sunday all year round, but hours vary depending on the season. Hours are 8 am to 8 pm from March through October, but shorten to 8 am to 5 pm the rest of the year.
Cylburn Arboretum isn’t the ideal dog walking venue if you want a particularly challenging or lengthy hike. But if you and your pup are searching for a wilderness adventure that's easily accessible from downtown Baltimore, there are plenty of good reasons why you should check out this popular trail network.
Can't get out to Cylburn Arboretum to explore all the sights and smells? Book a local dog walker to ensure your fur-baby gets their steps in!
The terrain of the Cylburn Arboretum Woodland Walking Trails is generally rated easy to moderate, with only Ridge Trail rated as challenging. Some walkers report that trails can be muddy after rain, and a little narrow in some places, but that hiking here is generally quite easy-going.
