Lake Roland Serpentine Trail

Lake Roland Park boasts a variety of trails for everyone. This trail has a few muddy, few ankle twisty spots and boasts a unique element of a serpentine forest! Start out by parking alongside Falls Road (see parking info) and enter at the gate. This portion of the hike follows a hard packed fairly flat section following along the Jones Falls. At one mile (just after you cross the bridge) you’ll reach a bench and the Orange trail. Notoriously muddy, make your way uphill following the orange blazes for 1/4 mile. At that point you’ll reach a connector trail at your right which you’ll follow just a short but until you see yellow blazes. Make a left onto the Yellow trail and follow along as you are now within the the serpentine forest. It’s most apparent under your feet as the rock looks brittle and white and the flora has an almost desert like appearance. At the opening, enjoy the view across the forest restoration area and pinch yourself as yes you’re still in Baltimore. Head back via green trail (if you want to shorten take the white, it’s just typically muddier) and at the intersection of the red make a left and enjoy the nature art on your 1.5 mile return. The red trail is an old street car line so you’ll also see rail road tie remnants.