CYCLING GUIDE TO DORCHESTER COUNTY
On Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Welcome to Dorchester County! We’re known for our quiet roads, unspoiled landscapes and waterscapes, and wildlife. We are home to two IRONMAN triathlons. This is also the birthplace of Harriet Tubman of Underground Railroad fame. Find out more at VisitDorchester.org.
BIKE RENTAL: • Blackwater Adventures, bike rentals and guided tours. Two locations: 2524 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge (near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge). Also at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, 100 Heron Blvd., Cambridge. 410.901.9255, blackwateradventuresmd.com.
• RIDE Cambridge, cruiser and scooter rentals. 409 Muir St., Cambridge, 240.855.7038.
• On the Rivet, beach cruiser rentals, 2833 Ocean Gateway East (Route 50), Cambridge, 410.221.9981.
• Dorchester Visitor Center, cruiser rental, 2 Rose Hill Pl., Cambridge, 410.228.1000.
BIKE SALES AND REPAIR:• On the Rivet, 2833 Ocean Gateway East,
(Route 50), Cambridge, 410.221.9981.
• Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (2145 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge) has a self-serve “fix-it station” with tools.
1 Cambridge to Neck District – Out and Back 32-mile ride past windmill; some water views
MILE TURN DESCRIPTION AND GO
0.00 S Straight on Somerset St. 0.69
0.69 L Left on Glasgow St. 0.26
0.95 R Right on Leonards Ln. 0.80
1.75 R Right on Rt. 343 1.31
3.06 L Bear left on Hudson Rd. 8.12
11.18 L Bear left on Hudson Rd. 0.93
12.11 R Bear right on Hills Pt Rd. 1.90
14.01 L Left on Ragged Point Rd. and follow until the end
1.83
15.84 U U-Turn and retrace steps above 15.84
31.68 End at Great Marsh Park
Choptank RiverHudson Rd
Horn Pt Rd
LittleChoptank
River
Morris
Nec
k
Ross N
eck R
d
Todd
s Pt
Rd
Hills P
t Rd
Rag
ged
Pt R
d
Cas
sons
Nec
k R
d
Bar N
eck
Rd C
astle
Hav
en R
d
Town Point Rd
Town
Po
int R
d
Dailsville Rd
SpocottWindmill
Horn Pt Lab
VisitorCtr
U
343
16
341
CAMBRIDGE
Great Marsh Park
Ride the northwestern part of the county known as the Neck District, so called for all the little peninsulas (or necks) jutting into the water. Ride through small com-munities, farmlands, and enjoy great water views at the turn-around point. Take in some history at Spocott Windmill & Village (at about mile 6.9); open dawn to dusk daily for self-guided tours. For a full listing of area restaurants, go to VisitDorchester.org.
Starting Point Great Marsh Park, 1 Somerset Ave., Cambridge, MD
Approx. Miles 32 miles
Approx. Time 2.5-3 hours (at 12mph)
At A Glance Watch for traffic on parts of Route 343. Course can be windy. Not much shade. Highlights include Spocott Windmill and Village. Great views at far point of route at Ragged Point.
2 IRONMAN Loop 55+ miles following the same course as Eagleman triathletes
MILE TURN DESCRIPTION AND GO
0.00 S Straight on Somerset St. 0.70
0.70 R Right on Glasgow St. 0.19
0.89 L Left on Jenkins Creek Rd. 0.58
1.47 L Left on West Side Bypass (Road may not be marked. Look for concrete barriers and ride between them.)
0.67
2.14 R Right on Route 343 1.15
3.29 R Bear right on Horns Point Rd. 1.67
4.96 L Left on Lovers Ln. 0.68
5.64 L Left on Route 343 0.40
6.04 R Right on Town Point Rd./Dailsville Rd. 4.44
10.48 R Right on Church Creek Rd. (Rt 16) 12.41
22.89 L Left on Smithville Rd. 7.10
29.99 L Left on Hoopers Island Rd. (Rt 335) 1.93
31.92 L Left on Golden Hill Rd. to stay on Rt. 335 5.90
37.82 R Right on Key Wallace Dr. 2.26
40.08 L Left on Egypt Rd. 7.08
47.16 L Left on Rock Dr. 0.48
47.65 S Cross Route 16 to Dailsville Rd. 4.44
52.09 R Right on Route 343 1.18
53.27 L Left on West Side Bypass 0.67
53.94 R Right on Jenkins Creek Rd. 0.58
54.52 R Right on Glasgow St. 0.19
54.71 L Left on Somerset St. 0.70
55.41 End at Great Marsh Park
Buttons Neck Rd
Dailsville Rd
Little ChoptankRiver
Har
risvi
lle R
d
Whi
te M
arsh
Rd
Town
Pt
Rd
Town Pt Rd
Hudson RdHorn Pt Rd
Hip Roof Rd
Key Wallace Dr
Maple Dam
Rd
Gol
den
Hill
Rd
Smithville Rd
Egypt Rd
Golden
Hill R
d
B l a c k w a t e rN a t i o n a lW i l d l i f eR e f u g e
B l a c k w a t e rN a t i o n a lW i l d l i f eR e f u g e
Ta y l o r ' sI s l a n dW M A
Ta y l o r ' sI s l a n dW M A
343
Taylors I
sl Rd CHURCH
CREEK
CAMBRIDGE
16
16
Old Field Rd335
335
335
335334336
BlackwaterVisitor Ctr.
HarrietTubman
Visitor Ctr.
Hooper Island Rd
Starting Point Great Marsh Park, 1 Somerset Ave., Cambridge, MD
Approx. Miles 55+ miles
Approx. Time 4.5-5 hours (at 12mph)
At A Glance Course can be windy. Not much shade. Highlights include Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center (at mile 38.5). (Harriet Tubman lived and toiled in this area for her first 27 years.)
This is the course that IRONMAN triathletes have used for the bike portion of the 70.3 Eagleman race that happens here each June. For specifics on the bike route of IRONMAN Maryland (a 140.6-mile triathlon), go to ironman.com and search for IRONMAN Maryland. For a full listing of area restaurants, go to VisitDorchester.org.
3 Blackwater Wildlife Refuge – Out and Back 24-mile excursion in and around scenic wildlife refuge
MILE TURN DESCRIPTION AND GO
0.00 S Straight out driveway of Blackwater Visitor Center
0.07
0.07 R Right on Key Wallace Dr. 1.60
1.67 R Right on Maple Dam Rd. 8.39
10.06 U U-Turn at intersection with Andrews Rd.
8.39
18.45 L Left on Key Wallace Dr. 1.04
19.49 L Left into entrance of Wildlife Dr.; nominal entry fee, cash only ($)
2.52
22.01 L Left to continue on Wildlife Dr. 1.00
23.01 R Right on Golden Hill Rd. (Rt. 335); note Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park & Visitor Center across the street
0.25
23.26 R Right on Key Wallace Dr. 1.03
24.29 R Right into Blackwater Visitor Center 0.07
24.36 S End at Blackwater Visitor Center Parking Lot
Hill Rd
Golden
Maple Dam
Rd
Blac
kwate
r Rd
Robbins Rd
WildlifeDrive
Key Wallace DrGreenbrier Rd
Andrews Rd
Lakesville RdLiners Rd
B l a c k w a t e rN a t i o n a lW i l d l i f eR e f u g e
B l a c k w a t e rN a t i o n a lW i l d l i f eR e f u g e
F i s h i n g B a y W M AF i s h i n g B a y W M A
BlackwaterVisitor Ctr.
Harriet Tubman
Visitor Ctr.
U
335
This out-and-back route explores parts of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, with 28,000 acres of protected marshland, wooded areas, and fields. Start at the ref-uge’s Visitor Center at 2145 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge, with restrooms, exhibits, and a self-service bicycle “fix-it” station. Center is open daily 8am-4pm Mon-Fri; 9am-5pm Sat-Sun. More at friendsofblackwater.org. At the end of Wildlife Drive, across Route 335, is the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center. Cross carefully. Open 9am-5pm daily. Free admission.
Starting Point Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, 2145 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge
Approx. Miles 24 miles
Approx. Time 2 hours (at 12mph) (allow extra time for wildlife watching)
At A Glance Route travels through dramatic marsh-land before entering the refuge’s 4-mile Wildlife Drive with beautiful vistas and wildlife. Nominal fee per bicycle at the drive’s entrance; cash only.
West Side Byp
Roslyn Av
Fran
klin
St
¯Great Marsh Park
U
LighthouseSkipjack
Visitor Center
DorchesterHeritageMuseums Hyatt
ChesapeakeRichardson
MaritimeMuseum
Harriet
Tubman Museum
Choptank River
Glasgow StLocust St
School St
Washington St
Water St
Hambrooks Blvd
Bellevue Av
Bay View Av
Sandy Hill Rd
Hig
h St
Maryland Av
Cedar StJenk
ins C
reek
Rd
Leon
ards
Ln
Som
erse
t St
Talb
ot S
tG
lenb
urn
Av
Mill
StHam
broo
ks B
lvdRi
vers
ide
Dr
Oak St
Woo
ds R
d
Cru
sade
r Rd
Rac
e St
Acad
emy
St Dor
ches
ter A
v
Pine
St
Her
on B
lvd
Moo
se L
odge
Rd
16
343
Map
le
4 Cambridge Waterfront Out and Back 12-mile city ride with lighthouse, great Choptank River views, restaurantsThis ride offers beautiful views of the Choptank River waterfront, the Choptank River Lighthouse (open May-October, 9am-6pm), a marina, parks, and more. It passes by the Dorchester Visitor Center, where you can stop for restrooms and information about the area. (Open daily, 8:30am-5pm.) The ride starts at the Hyatt Chesapeake Resort; you don’t have to be a guest to park there. Be aware and ride carefully on busy city streets. For a full listing of area restaurants, go to VisitDorchester.org.
Starting Point Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, 100 Heron Blvd., Cambridge. Park in River Marsh Golf Club parking lot (first lot on your right).
Approx. Miles 11.5 miles
Approx. Time 1 hour (at 12mph)
At A Glance Some streets can be busy. Route crosses a narrow drawbridge on Maryland Avenue and travels for a few blocks on a brick-cobbled street (High Street). Note orientation of map.
MILE TURN DESCRIPTION AND GO
0.00 L Left out of parking lot, then left to exit Hyatt 0.69
0.69 R Right on raised cycle path at Route 50 0.57
1.26 R Right on Woods Rd. 0.39
1.65 L Left on Roslyn Ave. 0.26
1.91 R Right on Crusader Rd. 0.15
2.06 L Left on Maryland Ave. 0.02
2.08 R Right on Hiawatha Rd; becomes Radiance Dr. 0.29
2.37 R Right onto fishing pier. Walk bike up ramp on left and under Rt 50 bridge
0.13
2.50 S Follow boardwalk along waterfront 0.29
2.79 L Left on Franklin St. by boat ramp 0.28
3.07 R Right on Maryland Ave.; carefully follow over narrow drawbridge
0.33
3.40 R Right on Academy St. 0.16
3.56 R Right on High St. (brick-cobbled street) 0.26
3.82 L Left on Water St. 0.25
4.07 S Dogleg; road changes to Hambrooks Blvd. 0.85
4.92 S Road changes name to Bellevue Ave. 0.31
5.23 L Left on Maple Ave. 0.13
5.36 R Right on Oak St. 0.15
5.51 L Left on Riverside Dr. 0.28
5.79 U U-turn; retrace steps above 5.79
11.58 End at Hyatt Chesapeake
Rav
enw
ood
Rd
Drawbridge Rd
Stee
le N
eck
Rd
Steele Neck Rd
New Bridge Rd
L e C o m p t eW M A
L e C o m p t eW M A
Tripp
s Nec
k Rd
Kraft Neck Rd
Drawbridge Rd
DecourseyBridge Rd
Layton’sChanceWinery
5 Layton’s Chance Winery Loop Easy 10 miles of country roads through farmland
MILE TURN DESCRIPTION AND GO
0.00 S Straight out winery driveway 0.07
0.07 R Right on New Bridge Rd. 1.55
1.62 R Right on Steele Neck Rd. 2.98
4.60 R Bear right on Drawbridge Rd. 1.90
6.50 R Right on Ravenwood Rd. 2.41
8.91 R Right on New Bridge Rd. 0.83
9.74 R Right into Layton’s Chance Winery 0.07
9.81 S End at Parking Lot
Starting Point Layton’s Chance Winery, 4225 New Bridge Rd., Vienna
Approx. Miles 10 miles
Approx. Time 45 mins to 1 hour (at 12mph)
At A Glance Course can be windy. Not much shade. Nice waterviews of the Chicamicamico River.
Ride quiet, flat country roads through the farmland that surrounds Layton’s Chance Vineyard and Winery. Start and end your ride at the winery and stay for a wine tasting! (Winery is usually open daily; check laytonschance.com for hours and info on free tours.)
This brochure is sponsored in part by the Dorchester County Health Department and is made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Maryland Department of Health, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control.
“Dorchester County’s country roads gently turn and twist through flat, vast coastal marshes and over scenic Chesapeake waterways. The roads near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge are well paved and ideal for cycling. You’ll be rewarded with bald eagle sightings too numerous to count, history and heritage in every village along the way, and stunning sunsets.”
— Jim Rapp, naturalist and director of the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center
FIND OUT MORE:Dorchester County Tourism
2 Rose Hill Pl., Cambridge, MD 21613VisitDorchester.org
410.228.1000
6 Vienna to Elliotts Island – Out and Back 39 miles through quiet marshland
MILE TURN DESCRIPTION AND GO
0.00 S Go straight on Water St., with river on your left
0.16
0.16 R Right on Church St. 0.18
0.34 L Left on Market St.; becomes Elliott Island Rd.
0.19
0.53 S Straight on Elliott Island Rd. 18.96
19.49 U U-Turn and retrace steps above 19.49
38.98 End at Water Street
Starting Point Water Street, Vienna. Free parking on street by waterfront park.
Approx. Miles 39 miles
Approx. Time 3.25-3.5 hours (at 12mph)
At A Glance Flat, sometimes windy ride through wide open marshland in one of Dorchester’s least populated areas
This easy-to-follow ride starts in the charming 300- year-old town of Vienna, and then takes you through wide open marshland with only a few tiny residential areas. You’ll pass through part of the Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area. Great water views. Good opportunities to see wildlife including eagles, osprey, and red-winged blackbirds, among others.
Rav
enw
ood
Rd
Buck
tow
n R
d
Steele Neck Rd
Middleton Branch Rd
Drawbridge RdHenrys
Cross Rd
Kraft
Decoursey Bridge Rd
F i s h i n gB a y
W M A
F i s h i n gB a y
W M A
Elliott I
sland
Rd
Elliott Island Rd
Neck RdGriffith
Bestpitch
Ferry Rd
Nantic
oke R
iverFishing
Bay
192
NeckRd
331
UELLIOTT
VIENNA
3
Wicomico County
331
16
16
1414
14
313
392
392
331 307
318
577
192
334336
335
335
335
Choptank River
Honga River
Fishing Bay
Nantic
oke R
iver
Chesapeake Bay
Little Choptank River
Blackwa te r Na t i ona lWi ld l i f e Re fuge
BloodsworthIsland
LinkwoodWMA
Fishing BayWMA
Fishing BayWMA
TaylorsIslandWMA
North
Tara
Rd
Lone
Pin
e R
d
Eldo
rado
Rd
Williamsb
urg R
d
Bobto
wn Rd
East
New
Mar
ket E
llwoo
d R
d
E New
Mark
et Byp
ass
Wesley Rd
Harrison
Pine Top Rd
Ferry Rd
Reliance Rd
Wrights Wharf Rd
Sharptown Rd
Osborne Rd
Cokesbury Rd
Mill Rd
New
hart
Indian
town R
d
Centennial Rd
Cloverdale Rd
Jones Thicket RdHawkeye Rd Maiden Forest Rd
Thom
pson
town
Rd
Rho
desd
ale
Vien
na R
d
Hic
ksbu
rg R
d
Mt Holl
y Rd
Link
woo
d R
d
Puckum R
d
Decoursey Bridge Rd
Bucktown RdBestpitch
Ferry RdGriffi
th Neck Rd
Ellio
tt Is
land
Rd
Drawbridge Rd
Aireys Rd
Neck RdSteele
New Bridge RdFork
Nec
k Rd
Indian
Bon
e Rd
Beaver Neck
Villa
ge R
dPe
rcy M
ay R
d
Middletown Branch Rd
Egyp
t Rd
Rac
e St
Luthy Rd
Town Point Rd
Tow
n Po
int
Rd
Taylo
rs Isl
Rd
Dailsville Rd
Washington St
Horn Pt Rd
Rd
Hudson
Maple Dam
RdM
aple Dam Rd
Greenbrier RdKey Wallace Dr
Oldfield Rd
Pig Neck RdBrannock Neck Rd
Brooks Rd
Golden H
ill Rd
Buttons Neck Rd
White M
arsh Rd
Lake
sville
Rd
Lakesville Rd
Hip Roof Rd
Liners Rd
Hill Rd
Golden
Wildlife Dr
Kirwans Neck Rd
Robbins RdHooper Island Rd
Hooper Island Rd
Hoopersville R
d
Robinson
Meekins
Neck Rd
Neck Rd
Smithville Rd
Shore Rd
Bay
Pine
Top Rd
Hoopers Neck Rd
Harrisville R
d
Bar N
eck
Rd
Rag
ged
Pt R
d
Cas
sonN
eck
Rd
Ros
sNe
ck R
d
Morris
Cas
tleH
aven
Rd
Nec
k R
d
Stone Boundary Rd
Willeys Neck Rd
Cedar Creek Rd
Wesley
Chu
rch
Rd
Toddville Rd
Crocheron R
d
Henrys Cross Rd
Kraft Neck
Rd
Drawbridge Rd
Rave
nwoo
d Rd
Stee
le N
eck
Rd
Talbot County
Somerset
Calvert County
Gravel Branch Rd
E New Market Rhodesdale Rd
River Rd
Baker Rd
Andrews Rd
16
16
16
343
CAMBRIDGE
¯ Ellio
tt Is
land
Rd
DELAWARE
CHURCHCREEK
GOLDENHILL
TAYLORSISLAND
NECKDISTRICT
HOOPERSISLAND
FISHINGCREEK
HOOPERSVILLE
VIENNA
ELLIOTT
HURLOCK
SECRETARY
EASTNEW MARKET
U
U
U
U
SpocottWindmill
Horn Point Lab
VisitorCenter
Layton’sChanceWinery
BucktownGeneral
Store
HandsellHistoricHome
BlackwaterVisitorCenter
TubmanVisitorCenter
KEY
Restaurant/Food
Restroom
Attraction
Downtown Cambridge with Restaurants, Shops, Galleries, Museums
Trail 1
Trail Turn-Around Point
Trail Starting Point
Trail 2
Trail 3
Trail 4
Trail 5
Trail 6
U
5 6
4
2 1
For Cambridge, see inset map below
DORCHESTER COUNTY CYCLING ROUTES
IMPORTANT NOTES• Cell phone reception is spotty in some rural areas of the county. Be prepared.
• Some routes have very little shade and there may not be anyplace to buy water or snacks, so be sure to bring enough to get you through.
• While most roads are quiet and lightly traveled, there are still vehicles. Always be aware and stay close to the right side. Some roads do not have wide shoulders, so use your best judgement on the safest route.
• Restaurants/shops are not necessarily open daily, especially in the cooler months. It’s best to call ahead. Find out more about local restaurants, shops, and attractions at VisitDorchester.org.
1 2
4
16
¯Choptank River
RdHudson W
est
Sid
e By
p
Washington St
Roslyn Av
Leon
ards L
n
Somers
et S
t
Mac
es L
n
Rac
e St
Woo
ds R
d
Pine
St
Dor
ches
ter A
v
Fran
klin
St
High St
Bayly Rd
Mill St
Glenbu
rn A
vLocust St
Glasgow St
Sandy Hill Rd
Riverside Dr
Hambro
oks B
lvd
Creek Rd
Jenkins Water St
Oak St
Handle
y Rd
Tate
s Ba
nk R
dM
oose
Lod
ge R
d
Heron
Blvd
343
341
Choptank RiverLighthouse
Great Marsh Park
Skipjack Nathan
Visitor Ctr
HarrietTubman Museum
RichardsonMaritimeMuseum
DorchesterHeritageMuseums
HyattChesapeake
U
Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park
Talbot County
12
4
CAMBRIDGE
For a full listing of area restaurants, go to VisitDorchester.org.
For upcoming cycling rides and events, go to VisitDorchester.org and click on See and Do > Outdoor Activities > Endurance Events.
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