Description
Originally the Reading & Columbia Railroad, this branch of the Reading Railroad was built to haul anthracite coal to Columbia where it was loaded into barges on the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal for shipment to the port of Baltimore. The Reading Railroad also owned the canal and used it to compete directly with rival Pennsylvania Railroad for Baltimore coal traffic. After the canal ceased operation in 1894, the railroad became just another rural branch line. It was abandoned in 1985 and became a trail in 1987.
The Lancaster Junction Trail travels through meadows, past rich Lancaster farmland and along the winding Chickies Creek. This trail is perfect for bicycling, cross-country skiing, or jogging. Horses are welcome.
Parking and Trail Access
The southern trailhead near Landisville is found at the end of Champ Boulevard, just east of Spooky Nook Road and the Salunga exit of I-283. From I- 283 W turn north onto Spooky Nook Rd, turn right onto Champ Road just beyond the bridge crossing for Route 283. Follow Champ Road to the very end where you'll find, parking, restrooms and water.
By
jagonzojr5
in
November, 2012
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Great 90-minute walk
By
efwheeler
in
January, 2012
Perfect way to spend 90-minutes walking about 5 miles on a crisp, cold sunny January day. My son and friends do training at a nearby soccer field so after dropping them off, this was a good quick getaway for some fresh air and exercise for myself (rather ...
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Nice get-away
By
jmcginnis11
in
January, 2010
Situated a few miles northwest of Lancaster City, the 2.5-mile Lancaster Junction Rail Trail makes a nice get-away on a sunny, spring, suimmer or fall day. The trail, which was refurbished and given a new, crushed stone surface in 2008, is perfect for ...
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