Field guide
Running routes in Baltimore: city parks and trails
Find running routes in Baltimore for visitors. Information on the Gwynns Falls Trail, Patterson Park, Druid Hill Park, and the Inner Harbor Promenade.
Baltimore offers several options for running and staying active. Visitors can choose from an urban waterfront walkway, large city parks with specific loops, or an extensive trail system connecting different parts of the city.
For a long-distance run or hike on a dedicated trail, consider the Gwynns Falls Trail. For a run with city and water views, the Inner Harbor Promenade is an option. Druid Hill Park and Patterson Park provide green space for shorter runs and other activities.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner Harbor Waterfront Promenade | 7-mile stretch | Not listed | Not listed |
| Druid Hill Park | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Gwynns Falls Trail | 22 mile; 10.75-mile (17.30 km) | Not listed | unique alignments, sidepaths on existing streets, and on-street sections |
| Patterson Park | Not listed | 12 noon to 6 pm on Sundays from mid-April through mid-October | Not listed |
Inner Harbor Waterfront Promenade
The Inner Harbor Waterfront Promenade is an urban walkway. The full plan is for a 7-mile route connecting multiple parks, museums, and neighborhoods along the water. A runner can use the section from the Rusty Scupper Restaurant to Pier 6 for a walk or run with city views.
- Type of place
- Urban waterfront walkway
- Envisioned extent
- from Canton Waterfront Park to the Baltimore Museum of Industry
- Inner Harbor Promenade section assessed
- from the Rusty Scupper Restaurant to Pier 6
- Envisioned length
- 7-mile stretch
- Connected features
- 75 acres of green space, 13 public parks, 14 museums and monuments, more than a dozen local attractions, six historic neighborhoods and countless shops and restaurants
Source: Resources (waterfrontpartnership.org). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Druid Hill Park
Druid Hill Park is a large public space in Baltimore. For runners and walkers, the park contains a feature called the Promenade Loop.
- Type of place
- A vital part of Baltimore’s water system and one of the city’s favorite public spaces
- Location
- Baltimore
- New feature
- Promenade Loop
Source: Druid Lake (baltimorecity.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Gwynns Falls Trail
The Gwynns Falls Trail is a 22-mile corridor for hiking and bicycling. It serves as an off-road route for pedestrians and cyclists, connecting dozens of neighborhoods with parks and the business district. The trail surface varies and includes sidepaths on existing streets and on-street sections.
The mainline trail is 10.75 miles long and passes through more than 2,000 acres of public land, including the Gwynns Falls / Leakin park. Parking is available at several trailheads, including the I-70 terminus Park and Ride and Leon Day Park. The trail is also accessible by MTA Bus Routes.
- Type of place
- continuous corridor of hiking and bicycling trails
- Purpose
- off-road way for cyclists and pedestrians
- Location
- inside Baltimore, Maryland
- Total trail length
- 22 mile
- Mainline trail length
- 10.75-mile (17.30 km)
- Trail surface types
- unique alignments, sidepaths on existing streets, and on-street sections
- Trailhead parking locations
- I-70 terminus Park and Ride, Winans Meadow, Windsor Mill Road, Leon Day Park, and Frederick Avenue
- Transit access
- MTA Bus Routes
Source: Gwynns Falls Trail (baltimorecity.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Gwynns Falls Trail parking and access for runners
Patterson Park
Patterson Park is a city park with many features for active visitors. While there are paths for running and walking, the park also contains a public swimming pool, a boat lake, a skating center, and tennis courts. The park has two playgrounds and a dog park.
- Swimming Pool address
- 148 S. Linwood Avenue
- Dog Park location
- south of the tennis courts on Linwood Avenue
- Observatory normal operating hours
- 12 noon to 6 pm on Sundays from mid-April through mid-October
- Swimming Pool opening season
- annually in mid-June
- Swimming Pool daily fee
- $2 per visit
- Dog Park features
- Two fenced-in spaces for dogs
- Observatory height
- 60 feet tall
- First architectural element
- The Marble Fountain, erected in 1865
Sources: Patterson Park Observatory (pattersonpark.com), Park Landmarks (pattersonpark.com). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Patterson Park hours and parking for runners
Before you go
- The Gwynns Falls Trail is a multi-use path shared by pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Some sections of the Gwynns Falls Trail are on existing streets.
- Parking for the Gwynns Falls Trail is available at designated trailhead locations.
- The Patterson Park Observatory has specific operating hours on Sundays from mid-April through mid-October.
- The swimming pool and skating rink at Patterson Park operate seasonally, and the pool has a daily fee.
- The Gwynns Falls Trail is accessible via public transit on MTA Bus Routes.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.