The Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring is home to an Underground Railroad trail. The trail is a guide for the route enslaved African Americans in Montgomery County may have taken to reach freedom. That often meant walking all the way to Pennsylvania, which was the nearest free state for many years.
The Underground Railroad Trail Experience refers to historical and recreational routes that follow the paths freedom seekers (enslaved people escaping to freedom) took during the 18th and 19th centuries. These trails often combine historical education with outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or driving tours.
Check out their website for more information.
Key Aspects of the Experience
- Historical Markers & Sites – Many trails feature plaques, museums, and preserved safe houses (stations) used by abolitionists.
- Interactive & Guided Tours – Some locations offer self-guided apps, living history reenactments, or guided tours explaining the dangers and triumphs of the escape routes.
- Multi-State Routes – The Underground Railroad spanned across the U.S. and into Canada, so different states have their own sections of the trail.
- National & State Parks – Some parts of the trail are incorporated into parks, such as the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program managed by the National Park Service.
Notable Locations
- The Harriet Tubman Byway (Maryland & Delaware) – Follows Harriet Tubman’s routes.
- The Freedom Trail (Ohio) – Highlights abolitionist efforts in the state.
- The Underground Railroad Experience Trail (Maryland) – A short hiking trail reflecting historical escape routes.
