Trail Access Locations
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Race runners entering Williams St. trail head[/caption]
The Bel Air Section
The two ends of the MA & PA Trail in Bel Air are at Heavenly Waters Park (702 N. Tollgate Road) and at Williams St. (turn onto Ellendale St. from 924N). Trail length: 1.9 miles.
The trail winds through wooded, moderately sloped sections, through a tunnel underneath Rt. 24 and alongside N. Tollgate road to its northern point. Significant sights along the way include:
- A side trail (steeply sloped) to the Liriodendron mansion, the former summer home of Laetitia and Howard Kelly. Dr Kelly was a successful surgeon and founding member of the Johns Hopkins Medical College. The Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation currently maintains the property as an events venue and small museum. Plentiful parking is available in the parking lot at the end of the Liriodendron spur.
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Trail head at Tollgate Rd.[/caption] - An overlook view of the Harford County Equestrian Center and the surrounding countryside that was visible to train passengers on the MA & PA Railroad.
- A lighted tunnel that goes under MD Rt. 24.
- A new 1.2 mile section was added in April 2022. Called the Bel Forest section. This extension going north of Bel Air includes various neighborhoods as well
as the Bel Air Memorial Gardens and includes a new short boardwalk on Ma Pa road.
The Dog Park at the Bel Air Section
The dog park is located beyond the end of the Bel Air trail at Heavenly Waters Park.
Dogs can play and run free in a fenced area. There are separate areas for large and small dogs. Click here to learn more about Harford County’s MA & PA dog park.
Annie’s Playground Memorial Garden[/caption]
The Edgeley Grove Section
The Edgeley Grove section of the Trail connects the Bel Air segment at Tollgate Road to Edgeley Grove Farm in Benson. From the area of 702 N.Tollgate Road, the trail winds behind the Harford County Equestrian Center, across Winters Run and traverses the hillside to Edgeley Grove Farm (the site of Annie’s Playground). Length: 1.4 miles.
Along the way, you will see:
- Two scenic overlooks, 880 feet of boardwalk and a 90-foot crossing over Winters Run
- A historic bitternut hickory tree
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A winding boardwalk on the Edgeley Grove trail section[/caption] - 45 new trees – 15 sycamores, 15 red maples and 15 tulip trees – that will (eventually) provide shade in the meadow that leads up to Annie’s Playground
The Forest Hill Section
Picnickers and those attending recreation league games at Friends Park can set out for a walk on the trail that is adjacent to the ball fields. The Trail winds it way to Blake’s Venture Park. Trail length: 1.7 miles.
Points along the way include:
- A deck that overlooks an active marsh
- Well-tended backyard gardens
- A tunnel that goes under MD Rt.23
Blake’s Venture off Melrose Lane[/caption]
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Fishing at Friends Pond[/caption]
The Bel – Forest Section
In 2023, a new section was added. This 1.25 mile section from Williams St to North Ave Station includes two (2) new crosswalks at Rt 924 and Moores Mill Rd. Both crosswalks include flashing lights that can be activated by hitting a button on the poles there. A small boardwalk has been added and a paved trail behind the Bel Air Memorial Gardens will lead you to North Ave parking lot.