Close to the city, I’d recommend the trails around Lake Roland and go around the back to the Light Rail crossing. (NOT where you’d get on/off the Lt. Rail, but up the hill in the park, then down the side trail. You’ll figure it out.

Just out of the city is the Goucher Loop which is about a 5k path, you guessed it, looping around the campus of Goucher College. Drive to the back of the campus to the stadium/track and walk up a slight hill to the meadow. You can start in either direction, from the bottom of the meadow or the top. The trail basically follows the campus perimeter. If you’re not familiar with the course, try the start at the bottom of the meadow to walk it counter-clockwise and keep the main campus to your left. You’ll figure it out.

Further away is Cromwell Valley Park and its variety of trails that has elevation change and criss-crossed trails a lot. You CAN get briefly lost or turned around, so have a map or good phone signal for directions.

Further out still are Oregon Park near Hunt Valley with a Lot more elevation change and is simple to navigate with all but one trail returning to your car by going downhill. Maps are available at the visitor center. And then there is Pretty Boy Reservoir up I-83. This has a network of trails but are nearly all ‘out-and-back’ without loops, since they’re around the lake where the city gets most of its water. Loch Raven is similar too. Be safe, pack water, have good boots, let others know where you’re going ahead of time.