Ride Overview
Not all singletrack is created equal. After riding a loop at Gambrill State Park or the Frederick Watershed (commonly known as “the Shed”), you’ll understand why. Seven miles here is not the same as seven miles at Laurel Hill or most other regional trail systems.
If this is your first time riding the rocky, technical trails of Gambrill or the Shed, come prepared — both physically and mentally. These trails demand consistent focus, line choice, and bike handling skills. Once you’ve successfully tamed any of the loops featured here, you’ll be ready for just about anything the Mid-Atlantic has to offer.
Gambrill’s Yellow Trail, at roughly 6.8 miles, is the longest loop in the park and a proving ground for riders looking to test their limits on sustained, difficult singletrack. The Frederick Watershed adds even more complexity and variety to the mix. These are not trails for novice riders — even experienced mountain bikers will find themselves challenged throughout the ride.
Navigating a rock garden on one of the Frederick Watershed’s notoriously technical trails.
Ride Details at a Glance
Location: Frederick, MD
Length: ~13.5 miles (varies by loop selection)
Ride Time: 2–4 hours, depending on route and ability
Ride Type: Mountain Bike
Difficulty: Level 4 Advanced
Ride Notes: Located roughly six miles northwest of downtown Frederick on Catoctin Mountain, Gambrill State Park and the Frederick Watershed represent two of the most challenging and rewarding mountain biking destinations in the Mid-Atlantic. Together, they offer dense networks of rocky, technical singletrack that can keep even the most experienced riders occupied for multiple days.
The work done by MORE and its volunteer trail liaisons in the Frederick Watershed has elevated the area into a regional and national mountain biking destination. While the routes featured below make for an excellent weekend of riding, there are many additional trails in the Shed worth exploring beyond what’s documented here.
Route Maps
The interactive route maps below highlight several classic loops at Gambrill State Park and the Frederick Watershed. Use the maps to explore elevation, technical sections, and alternate trail combinations.
This route is documented in Mountain Biking DC/MD, which includes additional regional context, access notes, and nearby riding options.