Trails We've Hiked

1. Cascade Falls Trail - Patapsco State Park - Trail map pulled from Midatlantic Hikes
• What to expect: This trail is a fairly easy trail, with some hills. It goes along a stream for a while, and you can stop and wade in the beautiful water. Expect your boots/shoes to get wet/muddy, and be aware of trail bikers and trail runners. This trail is dog friendly. Everyone I've met along this trail has been very friendly. You can access this trail from Landing Road and follow it across the stream (at the "big falls") to the Patapsco River. It does loop back around.
• Read about our experience here and here
2. Dickey Ridge Trail - Shenandoah National Park - Trail map pulled from Shenandoah National Park
• What to expect: This trail is an easy trail, but is not leisurely. You will work up a sweat. You can expect a beautiful view of the Valley, but a lot of it is under tree coverage. From the Visitors Center towards Snead Farm Trail, we did not cross any water. This trail is dog friendly. Bring bug spray that deters ticks, and a bag lunch to enjoy the view
• Read about our experience here
3. Lost Pond Trail - Gunpowder Falls State Park - Trail map pulled from Midatlantic Hikes
• What to expect: An easy trail with some inclines. This trail follows Gunpowder River most of the way. Be prepared to get wet as there are several areas where you will have to step into the streams/creeks. At one point we walked across a fallen log over a particularly deep part of the steam. This trail is dog friendly. You can also wear your bathing suit under your hiking clothes and get in the river, but be aware of the currents. It also looks like a great place to put in your canoe or kayak!
• Read about our experience here
4. Gunpowder South Trail/Lefty Kreh Fishing Trail - Gunpowder State Park - No Map Available. 
• What to expect: This is a great trail for working off some steam! It was challenging. About halfway through the trail you will encounter rock scrambling that lasts for the rest of the trail. Wear good boots that protect your ankles and have traction. The rocks can be slippery because they are well worn. The trail follows a river most of the way. The water was cold in June. Be sure to watch for the white trail blaze - this trail intersects with many others and you could get lost if you don't pay attention. From the parking area on Bunker Hill Rd to the Prettyboy Dam and back is roughly 6.3 miles. To get to the trail: From the Bunker Hill parking lot go down the paved path at the end of the lot. Watch for the first break in the trees on the left. That is the trail. You will see white trail blazes a little into the trail and a trail post indicating Gun. South Trail. This trail is dog friendly.
• Read about our experience here
5. Maryland Heights Trail - Harpers Ferry National Park - Trail map pulled from Harpers Ferry National Park
• Check out my trip map on EveryTrail
• What to expect: This is a difficult trail. The first half of your hike is almost entirely uphill. This trail takes your through historic areas where military batteries used to be. There is very little left of the batteries, so do not go expecting to see structures. There is lots of good information available along the trail via signs that give a history of Maryland Heights. Arrive early to park at the train station (you will pay the park service for parking), follow the foot bridge to the C&O Canal towpath. On the other side of the bridge, follow the towpath to the left until you get to a footbridge. Cross the bridge and the Maryland Heights Trailhead is directly across the road. You will climb up hill for a while. When the trail forks, keep right at each fork (it splits several times) to see the historic sites and a great overlook of historic Harpers Ferry and where the Shennandoah River and Potomac River merge. From the parking lot all around the trail and back to the parking lot is a little over 7 miles. Plan to hang out in historic Harpers Ferry after your hike. The trail is dog friendly. A lot of the restaurants in town offer patio seating that allows dogs so puppers and gang can chow down after hiking!
• You can also visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy located in historic Harpers Ferry 
• Read about our experience here
6. Buzzards Rock Trail - Patapsco State Park - Trail Map pulled from my EveryTrail page
• What to expect: Buzzards Rock is an easy to moderate trail with one difficult section. The easiest place to access it is the Trailhead on Hilltop Road. Part of the trail goes along the Patapsco River merging with Grist Mill Trail and is used by trail bikers (watch out!). When Buzzards Rock splits off of Grist Mill there is no clear sign (we passed it our first time). Be on the lookout for a tunnel in the hill, a small stream runs through the tunnel. Go through the tunnel and Buzzards Rock continues immediately to your left. This is the difficult section - take it slow if you are unsure of your footing. The trail climbs the hill very steeply. Where good shoes so that you do not lose your footing. Bring water, you will be thirsting after climbing the hill! This trail is dog friendly. The trail is short, roughly 2 miles, but you can combine it with other trails such as Cascade Falls to make it about 5 miles.
• Read about our experience here
7. Wolf Rock Trail - Catoctin Mountain Park - Trail Map pulled from Catoctin Mountain Park
• What to expect: This part of 8-Mile Loop is an easy to moderate hike. We started out from the Visitors Center heading towards the Park Headquarters. There is no trail blaze, so please watch the path carefully to avoid getting lost. Before you start heading up towards Chimney Rock, the trail will turn sharply to the left. If you go into a "field of rocks" then you've gotten off the trail. Turn around and look for the trail. At each trail intersection there will be a sign pointing towards the different vistas that you can go to. This trail is very rocky. Please wear appropriate footwear. After you've been to Wolf Rock, you can continue on this trail to head to the next view, or you can follow trail signs back to the Visitors Center. This is a dog friendly trail.
• Read about our experience here