Pasadena is the kind of place where you can be running errands on Ritchie Highway one minute and walking beneath a canopy of trees the next. Look beyond the main roads and shopping centers, and you’ll find paved rail trails, working farmland, shaded forests, wetlands, and some of the best Chesapeake Bay views in Anne Arundel County.
You also don’t need to devote an entire weekend to getting outside. These trails work for everything from a quick after-dinner walk to a longer bike ride or an unhurried afternoon by the water. Some are smooth and accessible. Others trade pavement for roots, pine needles, and the occasional muddy patch.
Here are five of our favorite places to walk, hike, and bike around Pasadena.
1. B&A Trail
Best for: Biking, running, long walks, and car-free trips to The Reserve
The B&A Trail is Pasadena’s outdoor main street. The 13.3-mile paved trail follows the former Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad route, running from Glen Burnie toward Annapolis through a mix of neighborhoods, wooded stretches, and local commercial areas. Its smooth surface and relatively gentle grade make it approachable for walkers, runners, cyclists, and people using mobility devices.
You can choose your own level of commitment here. Walk for 20 minutes and turn around, map out a longer run, or pack water and make a full ride of it. Because the trail passes through several communities, it feels connected to daily life rather than removed from it. You may spot commuters, families, serious cyclists, dog walkers, and people simply taking the scenic route home.
The Reserve sits directly along the B&A Trail at 8230 Ritchie Highway, making it one of the rare local dispensaries you can reach by bicycle. We have a bike rack waiting when you arrive, so lock up, stop in, and say hello to the team before continuing your ride. The store is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Local tip: Shared trails work best when everyone leaves room for everyone else. Keep right, announce yourself before passing, and stay alert around crossings.
2. Kinder Farm Park
Best for: Families, easy loops, picnics, and a walk with something extra
Kinder Farm Park gives you more than a trail. The 288-acre park preserves the area’s agricultural character with open fields, gardens, historic farm buildings, and livestock cared for through local educational programs. Its paved perimeter trail is approximately 2.4 miles, with additional natural-surface paths available for anyone who wants to wander farther from the main loop.
This is a good choice when your group cannot agree on what “going for a hike” should involve. The primary path is comfortable enough for a relaxed stroll, while the surrounding farm, playground, picnic areas, and gardens give you plenty of reasons to stop along the way. You can make one loop and head home or spend a few hours exploring.
The open farmland also gives Kinder a completely different feel from Pasadena’s more wooded parks. There is more sky, more sun, and a slower country rhythm, even though you’re still close to town.
Local tip: The animals are wonderful to observe, but park rules ask visitors not to pet or feed them.
3. Downs Park
Best for: Chesapeake Bay views, mixed terrain, and lingering after the walk
When you want the walk to come with water, Downs Park is hard to beat. The 236-acre Pasadena park sits along the Chesapeake Bay and includes more than five miles of paved and natural trails. The larger trail system moves through wooded areas and along the shoreline, offering a welcome mix of shade, open water, and wide views.
The paved perimeter route is a solid option for walkers and cyclists who want predictable terrain. Natural paths let you branch away from the main loop when you’re in the mood for something quieter. Between the fishing pier, picnic areas, playground, gardens, and kayak launch, Downs is also a good choice for building an entire afternoon around the outdoors.
This is the trail for anyone who tends to measure a walk by how many times they stop to look at the water. There is no prize for finishing quickly. Take the overlook detour. Sit on the bench. Watch the Bay change with the weather.
Local tip: Conditions and shoreline access can change during maintenance projects, so check the county park page for current alerts before heading out.
4. Lake Waterford Park
Best for: Short walks, lake views, birdwatching, and low-planning afternoons
Lake Waterford Park packs a lot into 108 acres. At its center is a 12-acre lake surrounded by paved and natural trails, picnic areas, recreation facilities, and patches of woodland. It feels like a neighborhood park when you arrive, but the water and forested paths quickly create a little breathing room from the surrounding roads.
The individual trail segments are relatively short, which makes Lake Waterford easy to customize. Follow the water, connect several forest paths, or keep the outing simple with a short loop and a stop by the lake. It works especially well on days when you want fresh air but have no interest in turning your afternoon into an expedition.
The lake attracts waterfowl throughout the year, and shoreline fishing is permitted with the appropriate Maryland license. Even when the park is active, it is usually possible to find a quieter section of trail or a place near the water to pause.
Local tip: Bring bug spray during the warmer months, particularly if you plan to explore the wooded natural trails.
5. Magothy Greenway Natural Area
Best for: Wooded hiking, natural terrain, wetlands, and a quieter trail experience
Magothy Greenway is the pick when you want to feel like you’ve gone farther than you actually have. The protected natural area covers approximately 369 acres near the Magothy River, with around four miles of natural-surface trails passing through woodland and wetland habitats. Hikers, leashed pets, and equestrians share the trail system.
For a satisfying introduction, connect the Red Loop with the Purple Trail. The 1.25-mile Red Loop moves mainly through deciduous forest, while the Purple Trail leads into a quiet stand of loblolly pines and offers views toward the Blackhole Creek Bog. The shift from leafy forest to pine and wetland makes a relatively compact route feel surprisingly varied.
Expect a more rustic walk here. Roots, leaves, soft ground, and seasonal mud are part of the experience. Trail markings help with navigation, but downloading a map before you arrive is wise, particularly if it is your first visit.
Local tip: Wear sturdy shoes and stay on the marked trail. The surrounding wetlands are ecologically important and much easier to appreciate when you are not trying to retrieve a shoe from the mud.
Find Your Trail People
Solo walks have their place, but sometimes the best reason to get outside is knowing that other people are expecting you.
Mana’s regular Nature Walks are 21+ community meetups created for people who want to explore Maryland trails, meet like-minded neighbors, and spend a little time outside together. Routes, locations, and start times change throughout the season, giving the group a chance to experience different parks and landscapes. There is no smoking or cannabis consumption during the walks. Just bring water, weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable shoes, and a willingness to meet a few new people.
Join an Upcoming Mana Nature Walk
Make The Reserve Part of the Route
Whether you are biking the B&A Trail, heading home from the Bay, or planning your next local outing, stop by The Reserve at 8230 Ritchie Highway. We’re open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., right beside the trail and ready to welcome Pasadena’s walkers, riders, hikers, and outdoor regulars.
Enjoy cannabis responsibly and only in a private, legal setting. Public consumption is prohibited in Maryland parks and on Mana Nature Walks.