Lancaster Junction Trail:
Pennsylvania
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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.
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Parking & 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.
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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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 than sitting around the soccer-field parking lot watching my son's team get exercise). This was my first time finding and using the trail. It must be lovely when all is green yet it was still very pleasant with all leaves down for the good, long views of farmlands. Plenty of bird variety with the tree-lined trail, open variety of farm fields, and the stream. I only knew about the trailhead parking at the N end of the trail and that was pleasantly full at midday. I was impressed that the trail was popular even on this breezy, 20-degree-F day with a pleasant number of walkers and joggers. Lots of dogs with owners on their outing, which is nice to see.
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 cyclists, hikers and other non-motorized transportation, and provides picturesque views of bucolic farms, country homes and the Chiques Creek. The trail is tree-lined for most of the distance, protecting users from the blazing sun and creating a cool, lush environment. Although parking is available at either end of the trail, the southern end is recommended because of its close proximity to Route 283.
Quiet Ride
By Bob1789 in September, 2009
9/20/2009 4:00pm Sunday This is a short and well maintained trail. Short but Sweet in 2005 summed it up so well. When you come up the ramp from Route 30 at Salunga you are on Spooky Nook Rd. Turn rightat the stop sign; as the road was not marked or I at least I did not see a road sign and then the first right. You park at the end of Champ Road past the Lancaster Hazmat #2. At the end of the trail on Auction Road the road is not heavily traveled and it was nice to ride on the road. I would not take children on the road but for a senior like me it was great. I would like to know if there are fish in the creek that parallels the trail in some places. The whole area is quite picturesque and serene knowing you are just off 83
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