Hiking Trails in Lancaster County

July 30, 2020

My day trips have been limited these days thanks to COVID-19 as you all are painfully aware. However one bright spot for me has been the opportunity to do a lot more hiking as this past spring it was one of the few recreational options available to us, not to mention the suddenly wide open calendar. Every year in September for some time now I have participated in either a 25 or 50K on the trails surrounding the Susquehanna River on both the Lancaster and York sides. Every year I say I’m going to get down to the trails for more training but every year I never do, because my busy life with kids just doesn’t allow for it. (Yes, I actually have run a trail 50K with virtually no trail training!) It took a pandemic but I finally got out to the trails almost every weekend in spring (walking because I was still recovering from surgery). So I thought I’d share what I’ve learned with you and when the weather cools down, be ready to hit the trails armed with fresh ideas!

Rail Trails and Easy Loops

If you are looking for a good place to ride a bike, walk the dog, push a stroller, or take young children, these trails are for you! They are either gravel, paved, or easy hiking.

Enola Low Grade Trail—almost 30 miles of a crushed gravel trail stretching from Conestoga to Atglen. Be aware that parts may be disconnected or closed. Five entry points exist so check out the website for the one closest to you!
Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail—just over 2 miles between Lancaster Junction and Route 283, near Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim. Very flat, this crushed gravel/packed dirt trail is a nice easy walk, great for chatting with friends, strollers, or dog-walking. It is close to civilization as backyards and industries are visible through the thin line of trees, but the trail is mostly shaded.
Northwest River Trail—14.1 mile trail from Columbia Crossing River Trails to Bainbridge along the Susquehanna River. Views of the river abound on this paved, mostly flat trail perfect for bike riding. It is popular so it can be busy at times.

Conewago Recreation Trail—5 miles near Elizabethtown to Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail. Mostly shaded following a creek of the same name, this hard-packed crushed stone trail is suitable for easy recreation, and has some cool history connected to it!
Conestoga Greenway Trail—1 mile from Conestoga Drive near Bridgeport to Lancaster County Central Park along the Conestoga River. Short and sweet, you can include this on your run or take the kids for a quick walk or bike ride.
Chickies Rock County Park—.9 mile trail from Chickies Rock Overlook to Chickies Hill Road in Columbia. A popular quick hike to a lovely overlook on the Susquehanna River, this is a great spot to sit and enjoy the view without a big effort to see it!
Lake Grubb—1.3 mile flat loop around the lake near Silver Spring off Marietta Pike. This park was formerly an iron ore mine but the pit has been filled in with water creating a lovely lake and heavily wooded park, replete with gorgeous wildflowers. Fishing is an option, but no boating, swimming, or dogs are allowed.
Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve—1.7 mile flat out and back trail in Conestoga. Renown for its spectacular spring wildflower displays, Shenk’s Ferry has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Recent upgrades to the parking and entrance have made it easier to visit. The hike is easy and good for all skill levels. Dogs must be kept on a leash.

Welsh Mountain Trail—2.4 mile easy loop in New Holland, part of the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve. Wood-chipped and fairly flat, this is another great trail for all skill levels. There is an option for a diversion to a scenic overlook of Lancaster County farmland.
Silver Mine Park—2.5 mile paved biking path in Pequea (see below list for more information).

Hiking Trails, mostly forested

If you want to do some true hiking on wooded paths, and even some climbing over rocks, roots, and streams, these trails are for you. Some are moderate and others are difficult, especially if there has been recent rain and the creek levels are raised.

Lancaster County Central Park–Located in the middle of Lancaster County, it is also the largest county park covering 544 acres. 9 trails ranging in length from 1-4 miles (easy and moderate) weave throughout the park. The Garden of Five Senses along with multiple playgrounds delight young visitors. The historical house museum Rockford also makes its home in the park. I’ve hiked and raced here many times and I love that you can be close to the city yet quickly escape into a peaceful wooded retreat. The trails are not difficult making it a wonderful place to introduce children to hiking.
Money Rocks County Park–Located on the far east of Lancaster, this sprawling park amidst the Welsh Mountains boasts a rocky spine of boulders known as the “Money Rocks” springing from a legend that farmers hid money in them. 7 trails converse the 2^nd largest continuous forest in Lancaster County providing hikers with a lovely overlook of farmland and distant hills. Ranging from less than 1 mile to an overlook to almost 6 miles in length, there is something for everyone here. I have not personally visited.
Speedwell Forge County Park–Located near Lititz between Speedwell Forge Lake and state game lands of nearby Furnace Hills, this large tract of land boasts beautiful springtime wildflowers and diverse habitats for woodland creatures. There are limited hiking options featuring one moderate 3 mile trail that can be split up, nevertheless it’s worth checking out if you live close by. I may have visited many years ago but cannot comment on my experience.

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area–Boasting 6,000 acres of protected lands for preserving natural habitats for many species of birds and other wildlife including the famous migratory snow geese, the woods and grassy knolls also contain 12 trails of varying difficulty. This is one park that has it all in one place! Whether you want a nice stroll on a paved path to the lake, or steep switchbacks on the rocks to a pretty vista, you are sure to find it at Middle Creek. Keep your eye out for unusual birds that may cross your path. During regular operation there is a fun visitor’s center with a natural history museum inside. Don’t forget to bring your lunch and have a picnic at one of the many varied locations with a picnic table.
Theodore A. Parker III Natural Area–Named after an internationally-known ornithologist from Lancaster County, this small swath of woods near Quarryville maintains a moderate 2.2 mile trail which winds along a stream and a sheer rock face insulating the hiker from the outside world. I never heard of this trail before and cannot wait to check it out!
Tucquan Glen–Located near Pequea, this beautiful shady moderate 2.6 mile loop trail hugs Tucquan Creek and leads to a wonderful swimming hole. Recent rain can make the trail more challenging but generally is good for adventurous kids. This trail can be used as a connector to other trails in the Susquehanna riverlands. A major downside is the lack of adequate parking at the trailhead and illegal parking recently led park officials to close the trail until further notice. Do check the website for updates before visiting.

Pinnacle Overlook–Best known for its spectacular scenic overlook in Holtwood, this preserve serves as a great jumping off point to many trails of varying lengths, degrees of difficulty, and type including loops, out and back, and connectors to other nature preserves via the Conestoga Trail, including the most difficult portion of it. A few brave souls will enjoy climbing out on a rocky ledge to bask in the sun while enjoying the view. This is definitely my favorite hiking spot and I have many memories here!

Kelly’s Run–A hugely varied yet mostly difficult trail, this 3.8 mile loop takes hikers through grassy meadows, gentle sloping wooded trails, and a picturesque yet challenging scramble over rocks crossing the stream multiple times. Recent rain can make this hike treacherous and portions of the trail are subject to flooding. Be warned you may get your feet wet, although I’m happy to report with much brainstorming and a little help from my husband I was able to hike it during high water without soaking my feet! I definitely do not recommend this trail for young children, however if you appreciate being stretched mentally and physically, you will want to try this one. The Kelly’s Run portion of the Conestoga Trail is quite enchanting and I always look forward to this section when I race.

Susquehannock State Park (Hawk Point Overlook)–Recently this has become one of my favorite parks to take our family to! With several trails (5.6 miles total) of varying length and difficulty amongst very tall beautiful trees with lovely undergrowth including spring wildflowers, this park is in Drumore Township and contains an easily accessible plateau overlook of the Susquehanna River. My favorite trail is the Rhododendron Trail which like the name suggests would be lovely in late June when the wild Rhododendrons bloom. It is moderate but can still be hiked with the whole family. Since it is a state park there are nice restroom facilities, a playground, playing fields, pavilions, and overnight tenting spots available.
Silver Mine Park–-Pequea Township’s only park, this wonderful little park is just 10 minutes south of Lancaster in Conestoga. Offering 7 trails totaling 6 miles, there is something for everyone here including a 2.5 mile trail that can be biked. One trail circles a pond where you can fish (catch and release) and canoe. Picknicking areas and a playground give families more options. Careful volunteer efforts have resulted in an excellent assortment of vegetation and flowers attracting a variety of birds and waterfowl. I would say the best use of this park would be the paved biking trail. The forested trails are very tricky to figure out and some are currently closed. The entrance is also very ambiguous, with multiple places to park, so make sure you study the map and GPS to get a sense of where you are.
Climber’s Run Nature Preserve–A perfect hands-on outdoor classroom, this sweet spot is located minutes from Marticville Middle School in Pequea. The main trail is a 1.7 mile loop that is moderate with at least one creek crossing. There are other trails but according to reviews the trails are poorly marked. The real draw to this preserve is the Climbers Run Natural Playground where kids and adults can explore and play with nature’s building blocks to interact with their environment. Visitors get the sense of what Pennsylvania looked like before deforestation. (Summer months often mean camps are using the playground during school hours, so check the website for closures before coming.) Climbers Run also has a catch and release pond, and lovely picnicking spot in the meadows near a historic barn. I highly recommend a visit here especially when it’s hot and you want to creek stomp….beautiful!

Trout Run Trail–If you just want to escape into the sublime and you’re up for a challenge, check out this 2.3 mile lightly-trafficked out and back trail in Pequea. With rocky outcroppings and a narrow fern-lined path alongside a bubbling, clear stream, this picturesque place makes a great date for an active couple. As it is difficult at points, I do not recommend the trail for children. The trail can be shortened with multiple loops. Trout Run does not contain any other amenities and shares a parking lot with Steinman Run.
Steinman Run Nature Preserve–Just a little bit south of Trout Run you can hike a moderate figure 8 shaped 2.6 mile loop trail in Holtwood. With ups and downs and exposed scenic cliffs and a few easy stream crossings, this trail blends a little bit of everything interesting about hiking without being too challenging. Mixed hardwoods give wonderful fall color and spring wildflowers proliferate. Stick to the blue markings and it is pretty easy to navigate. You could easily combine this trail with Trout Run as they share a parking lot!
Muddy Run Lakeshore Trail–If you enjoy lake views, this 3.8 mile moderate loop trail encircles the large lake situated in Muddy Run Park located in Holtwood. Much of the trail contains shady canopy and some mild ups and downs with rock and root covered terrain. Besides hiking, this park offers mixed recreational use such as camping, boating, fishing, and picnicking.
Turkey Hill Nature Preserve–Turkey Hill Overlook Trail is a 6 mile loop in Washington Boro near the Susquehanna River, the trailhead shares a parking lot with the Enola Low Grade Trail. Strenuous at times, the hikers are rewarded with scenic vistas and varying terrain. Plus, it’s kind of cool to see the giant windmills close up!

Check out these helpful resources: www.alltrails.com, www.lancasterconservancy.org