There’s some nice running in the Owen Brown Village in southeast Columbia. The highlight is the 2-mile loop around Lake Elkhorn on the paved Lake Elkhorn Loop Trail. It’s very pretty, with lake views a good part of the way. We think the Lake Elkhorn loop is more scenic than the loops around Lake Kittamaqundi or Wilde Lake.
Lake Elkhorn Loop. Google Street View
Longer Run Options: Head south on the Patuxent Branch Trail, a multi-use path that runs for up to 4.4 miles south from Lake Elkhorn to Savage Park. It’s mostly paved, with some gravel sections at the south end. You can also continue north on the Lake to Lake Trail. It’s up to 2.8 miles to Lake Kittamaqundi — note there are some short on-road sections. There are also paths and pleasant, quiet streets in the residential neighborhoods north and south of the lake.
There’s some nice running in the Owen Brown Village in southeast Columbia. The highlight is the 2-mile loop around Lake Elkhorn on the paved Lake Elkhorn Loop Trail. It’s very pretty, with lake views a good part of the way. We think the Lake Elkhorn loop is more scenic than the loops around Lake Kittamaqundi or Wilde Lake.
Lake Elkhorn Loop. Google Street View
Longer Run Options: Head south on the Patuxent Branch Trail, a multi-use path that runs for up to 4.4 miles south from Lake Elkhorn to Savage Park. It’s mostly paved, with some gravel sections at the south end. You can also continue north on the Lake to Lake Trail. It’s up to 2.8 miles to Lake Kittamaqundi — note there are some short on-road sections. There are also paths and pleasant, quiet streets in the residential neighborhoods north and south of the lake.
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Essentials
Lake loop is 2 miles (3.2 km); Patuxent Branch Trail is up to 4.4 miles (7.1 km)
Fairly flat
Lake Kittamaqundi Pier, or other chosen start point
A great run near Columbia Town Center, with loops around two lakes on paved multi-use paths, using the Lake to Lake Trail as a connector. Do each lake separately, or combine for a 4-mile route. Good add-on options.
Popular park for running in Ellicott City, just north of Columbia. There are 7.6 miles of paved trails, including a 2.4 mile loop around Centennial Lake. Also 1.7 miles of natural surface trails. Mix of open & wooded terrain.
Pleasant and fairly easy trail running in this park located 10 miles east of Columbia. Three color-coded loop trails, mainly natural surface, totaling 9 miles. Generally wooded, with some open fields. Add with Patapsko Valley State Park.
Wonderful trail running options in this area. Belmont Manor is a historic estate, which features trails over 85 acres. These trails bridge into the 70 miles of rolling hill trails at the 16,000 acre Patapsko State Park.
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Essentials
Lake loop is 2 miles (3.2 km); Patuxent Branch Trail is up to 4.4 miles (7.1 km)
Fairly flat
Lake Kittamaqundi Pier, or other chosen start point
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