Cumberland Valley Rail Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail runs down the middle of its namesake: the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, between the South Mountain and Blue Mountain ridges on the eastern flank of the Appalachians. Stretching from New York State to Alabama, this lush agricultural valley formed a travel corridor for Native Americans—and for the Scots-Irish immigrants who began settling here in the mid-1700s.

In the first half of the 19th century railroad companies opened lines along the same route. Among them was the Cumberland Valley Railroad, later owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad and then Conrail, which stopped using the corridor and donated it to The Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council for development of this breathtaking Trail. Interestingly, the original engineers of the railroad did not want to use this selected route in the first place.

Most of the well-designed trail runs fairly straight through open farmland, with a few dips into woodlands and among some limestone outcroppings. It has good drainage and a firm, crushed-stone tread. On nearby country roads you may see an occasional buggy from the surrounding Amish community. Many Shippensburg University students and residents use the trail for jogging and walking. On the weekends it is active with cyclists.

At the Newville trailhead, where PennDOT runs an instrument calibration facility and maintains a measured course on the trail, a 0.5-mile section is paved with asphalt and concrete. On the western end, the improved section of trail ends at Shippensburg Township Park. The right-of-way continues into the Shippensburg University campus, but it is unimproved and unmarked and includes a steep, dangerous road crossing. There are a few local eateries on the opposite side of the campus at the very end of the right-of-way.

The Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council hopes to install a crossing bridge in Shippensburg, which will provide a safe route along the entire right-of-way. Other plans are being considered to extend the trail east from Newville to Carlisle, another 11 miles.

Both the Newville and Shippensburg Township Park trailheads include restrooms and parking. The trailhead at the Shippensburg Township Park also accommodates horse trailers.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Newville trailhead from the Harrisburg and Carlisle area: From I-81 South take Exit 37 at Newville onto PA Route 233 North. Turn left onto PA Route 533 West. Follow 533 West through town and turn left on Cemetery Road. Follow the road to where it ends at 23 McFarland Street and the parking area.

To reach the Shippensburg Township Park trailhead: Take I-81 to Exit 29 and turn right onto Walnut Bottom Road. Turn left onto King Street (US 11). Turn onto North Queen Street then right onto Britton Road. The park is approximately 0.5 mile ahead on the left.

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Reviews: [5 trail ratings]
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Directions to Shippensburg rail head
By austin heffernan in January, 2012
The published directions are good if you're coming from Harrisburg, but if from Hagerstown, get off at exit 24...29 is way out of the way!
Very colorful late October ride
By PaulSet in October, 2011
Beautiful countryside on a very nice trail. Suitable for walking, running and biking. Parts of the trail have a horse path next to the ballest trail. Would recommend bikes with wide tires since some southern trail surface has very loose small stones. We waited out a rain storm at a covered shelter at Oakville Road which was furnished with picnic tables for our lunch. Encountered a few walkers, runners and bikers on a Monday afternoon.
ppurcell
By ppurcell in October, 2011
Found a car key on the trail on Sunday, Oct. 16. If anyone lost one contact me at purc2186@epix.net. Trail ride was beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. Great day. Great views. Great ride.
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Trail Facts
Trail End Points: W. Fort at N. Earl streets (Shippensburg) to Centerville Rd. (Newville)
Counties: Cumberland
Trail Length: 10.9 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Grass, Concrete
Trail Activities: Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6031429

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