PG County

The Anacostia Tributary Trail System is a series of seven different trails that connect at various intersections along the many tributaries of the Anacostia River, winding through the woods, fields and wetlands of the Anacostia Headwaters. There are virtually no trail markers on the entire route, so keep track of where you are! The remaining third of the ride uses major roadways. Although some of these are well-traveled vehicular roads, the proximity of the University of Maryland generally makes them good roads for bicycling. There are wide shoulders or sidewalks on most of the roads.

The trail also passes Lake Artemesia, a man-made lake created by Metro; the College Park Airport and Museum, the world's oldest continually operating airport, where Wilbur Wright instructed Army officers in the first government airplane; and Adelphi Mill, built in 1796, reputed to be the oldest and largest mill in the Washington metropolitan area.

Map of the Trail System.

PG County site>>

TERRAIN: Level.

POINTS OF INTEREST: Lake Artemesia ; College Park Airport and Museum ; Adelphi Mill.

FOOD: This route passes through parks and woods, but there are numerous shopping centers and restaurants in the surrounding communities.

MAPS: Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission map of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System (301-952-3522). (Note: this map's rendering of the roads around the University of Maryland is incomplete and should not be used as a guide.)

START/METRO START: Greenbelt Metro station (Green Line) at Exit 24 of the Capital Beltway, in Greenbelt, Md. Parking available. The starting point is just inside the Capital Beltway.