The weather has finally cooled down, and we’ve been enjoying crisp fall weather. It’s the perfect time to gather a friend or two, lace up your sneakers, unplug from the busyness of the day, and head outside for a walk. You could just head out your front door on your own and reap the benefits of walking, but if you want to avoid traffic and test out a few walking trails in the area, read on.

Try exploring some of these walking trails in Charles County: 

Port Tobacco River Park and Tom Roland Natural Resource Area

In the Port Tobacco area, head to Port Tobacco River Park and Tom Roland Natural Resource Area. Located at 7685 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco River Park boasts three miles of walking trails with several platforms for viewing wildlife.

Tilghman Lake Park and Laurel Springs Park

If you’re in La Plata, head to Tilghman Lake Park and Laurel Springs Park. Tilghman Lake is located at 10598 Box Elder Road in La Plata and has a one-mile trail that loops around a pond. If you’re up for a longer walk, the Tilghman Lake trail connects to the 1.6-mile trail at Laurel Springs Park (5940 Radio Station Road, La Plata), so you can increase your distance by walking both. The Laurel Springs trail circles the park, going both through wooded areas and around ball fields.

Gilbert Run Park and  Pisgah Park

East of La Plata, explore Gilbert Run Park located at 13140 Charles Street in Charlotte Hall. The main trail at Gilbert Run is two miles long, circumvents the lake, and features a new boardwalk. 

Heading west, Pisgah Park, located at 6645 Mason Springs Road, has a three-quarters of a mile trail which features the CCPL “Story Trail”. Each season, the Mobile Library displays a picture book page-by-page along the trail so readers and walkers can enjoy the pictures and story as they go.

Friendship Farm Park – Friendship Landing

Even further west in Charles County is Friendship Farm Park – Friendship Landing. Located at 4715 Friendship Landing Road in Nanjemoy, this park has almost 4 miles of hiking trails that provide shade in the woods as well as views of the water. 

Bensville Park and Indian Head Rail Trail

Moving up to the White Plains area, Bensville Park, 6980 Bensville Road, connects to mile 9 of the Indian Head Rail Trail, a 13-mile paved trail for walking, running, or cycling. 

To get you geared up for walking, stroll on into your local library branch and check out the following:

52 Ways to Walk is a short, user-friendly guide to attaining the full range of benefits that walking has to offer–physical, spiritual, and e emotional–backed by the latest scientific research to inspire readers to develop a fulfilling walking lifestyle.”

“Millions of people dream of living a more fulfilling life, yet many settle for a life of comfortable complacency, allowing excuses and negative thoughts to invade their minds. I don’t have enough time… I don’t have enough money… I’m afraid to fail… I don’t have what it takes–we allow these limiting beliefs to control us. Now comes The 12-Hour Walk, which provides the inspiration–and catalyst–for getting unstuck and realizing your full potential. Featuring life lessons from explorer, endurance athlete, and entrepreneur Colin O’Brady–whose adventures in such extreme places as Antarctica and the perilous Drake Passage and on the peaks of Mount Everest and K2 have seen him establish ten world records–this book’s vivid narrative and powerful insight will show you how you can embark on your own life-changing journey. With Colin as your guide, The 12-Hour Walk asks you to invest one day in yourself. The goal? Conquering your mind and becoming your best self. By walking alone, unplugging, listening to the voice within, and rewriting the limiting beliefs etched into your psyche, you can break free of the patterns holding you back and learn how to cultivate a “Possible Mindset,”–an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities. The reward: being the hero of your own destiny.”

“Walking is a great way to get in shape—and it’s perfect for fitness newbies and devotees alike. Aside from a quality pair of walking shoes, there’s no fancy equipment and getting started is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other—literally. But having some pointers in your fitness arsenal can help you stay on track with your walking plan and help you see and feel results sooner rather than later. That’s where this special guide comes in: It’s packed with all of the expert tips and effective workouts to keep you walking strong for life.” (Available only in a digital version).

“Discover the benefits of power walking and take simple steps to boost your energy levels with Walking for Fitness. Whether you want to include walking in your workout regimen or simply want to be more active and reach the recommended 10,000 steps a day, this collection of strategies can help you maximize the benefits of fitness walking. Seven 12-week-long walking programs target a range of goals, from weight loss to completing a marathon. Step-by-step photographs demonstrate correct techniques, and stretching and strengthening exercises are explained to complement your walking program and help you improve your overall well-being.”

Walk It Off in 30 Days by Leslie Sansone

“Introducing Leslie’s new plan that asks for just 30 minutes a day for 30 days to get real results! Imagine increased energy, firmed muscles, improved overall health, and a slimmer, more proportioned body! It’s all possible. Here’s how easy the 30 days will be. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, burn BIG calories by walking the BURN 30 program! Then on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, build strength on every major muscle group from shoulders to calves.”

“When you walk in the woods, do you use all five senses to explore your surroundings? For most of us, the answer is no–but when we do engage all our senses, a walk in the woods can go from pleasant to immersive and restorative. Forest Walking teaches you how to get the most out of your next adventure by becoming a forest detective, decoding nature’s signs, and awakening to the ancient past and thrilling present of the ecosystem around you. What can you learn by following the spread of a root, by tasting the tip of a branch, by searching out that bitter almond smell? What creatures can be found in a stream if you turn over a rock–and what is the best way to cross a forest stream, anyway? How can you understand a forest’s history by the feel of the path underfoot, the scars on the trees along the trail, or the play of sunlight through the branches? How can we safely explore the forest at night? What activities can we use to engage children with the forest? Throughout Forest Walking, the authors share experiences and observations from visiting forests across North America: from the rainforests and redwoods of the west coast to the towering white pines of the East, and down to the cypress swamps of the South and up to the boreal forests of the north. With Forest Walking, German forester Peter Wohlleben teams up with his longtime editor, Jane Billinghurst, as the two write their first book together, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Together, they will teach you how to listen to what the forest is saying, no matter where you live or which trees you plan to visit next.”

Whether you start the day with an early morning walk, take a turn around a park during your lunch break, or unwind from the stress of work with an evening walk, enjoy the chance to connect with nature and to kindle relationships with friends or family. And the next time someone says, “Aw, go take a walk!” just smile and say, “Sure! Why not join me?”