St Mary's City loop

enter label# St Mary’s City Loop

The loop may be short but the history is deep. Take your time and explore the site of Maryland’s first capital and travel across the peninsula on Mattapany Road, the oldest road in Maryland.

9.7 miles, all paved roads, relatively easy

269 feet of climbing, no steep climbs

Park at: Spring Ridge Middle School 19856 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, MD20653

Bathrooms: Historic St. Mary’s City adjacent to Farthing’s Ordinary which is on Old Statehouse Road near the State House. There is also usually a port-a-potty by the ball field at Spring Ridge Middle School.

The descent on Snow Hill Manor Rd is a blast, but it is technically challenging, and not for beginning cyclists- slow down, or take Rt 5 south instead.

Detailed Route

Head north on MD 235/Three Notch Road toward Lexington Park. Turn left onto Maryland 489/Park Hall Rd, then left onto MD-5 S/Point Lookout Rd. Turn right onto N Snow Hill Manor Rd, and enjoy the descent along the St Mary’s River. At the end of Snow Hill, turn right onto MD-5 S/Point Lookout Rd and descend into St Mary’s City with beautiful views of the St Mary’s River on your right and the campus of St Mary’s College of Maryland on your left. Make a slight right onto Trinity Church Rd, then turn left onto Old State House Rd. You are now in historic St Mary’s City, first capital of Maryland. Take time to look around. When you’re finished, turn right onto MD-5 S/Point Lookout Rd, then left onto Mattapany Rd, past more of the campus of St Mary’s College. At the T intersection, turn left onto MD-235 N/Three Notch Rd and return to Spring Ridge Middle School.

More resources

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Important Reminders

Historic St Mary's City is a paid-entry tourist destination with live actors. You may use the bathrooms at Farthing's Ordinary, but wander in too far and a docent will expect you to buy a ticket.