Explore the best rated trails in Carlisle, PA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Enola Low Grade Trail and Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. With more than 44 trails covering 273 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Located in northern Manheim Township, the Brighton-Reidenbaugh Park Trail is a link in the suburban Lancaster County municipality's growing network of multi-use trails. The trail consists of 3...
The first section of the Elizabethtown Connector Trail officially opened in May 2015. Although just shy of a mile this trail provides such beautiful scenery that you'll feel like you could stay...
Currently, over 10 miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail are complete. The trail runs between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, and interpretive signs relate the region's history. The trail is mostly paved...
The Chambersburg Rail Trail is a 1.2 mile paved urban trail that connects neighborhoods just a few blocks west of the community's central business district. Starting at South Street, the trail...
The popular Lancaster Junction Trail follows the former Reading and Columbia Railroad, which transported iron ore and coal from Reading to the Chesapeake Bay via the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal...
Swatara Creek runs through the vast woodlands of Swatara State Park in eastern Pennsylvania. Bear Hole Trail traces the eastern side of the waterway, while the Swatara Rail-Trail runs along the other...
This is a pleasant one mile community trail which begins right at the center of Red Lion, PA. The main trailhead is on Main St. at the restored MA&PA train station, which now is home to the Red Lion...
This gently winding trail in Pine Grove Furnace State Park passes along the shores of two lakes and through the woodlands of Michaux State Forest. Pine Grove Furnace began operating in 1764 to take...
A link in the region's burgeoning network of multi-use greenways, the Warwick Highlands Trail connects several subdivisions, shopping centers and a hospital on the west side of Warwick Township, just...
The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail follows the route of the historic Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, tracing the Susquehanna River northwest from Columbia to Falmouth. While the majority of the...
Northwest Corridor Linear Park is a short paved pathway that winds its way among the city streets just northeast of the city square. The pathway functions as community park for residents of downtown...
Lykens Valley Rail Trail is nearly half-way complete with 9 miles of trail open out of 20 miles planned. Those 9 miles are available in three disconnected segments. In Millersburg, a 0.4-mile segment...
The short, tranquil LeTort Spring Run Nature Trail follows its namesake creek closely, LeTort Spring Run, through a mix of deciduous trees and lowland marshes bristling with tall grasses and cattails....
The 7.1-mile Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail-Trail runs from Ephrata west to Lititz in Warwick Township, following the former Reading and Columbia Railroad, which began service in 1863. The Lancaster Junction...
This trail is not offically part of the Lancaster County Park system. It runs next to the Conestoga River at Sunnyside. The one end of the trail is at Lancaster County Central Park. Although there is...
Constructed as part of the Belmont subdivision/Shoppers At Belmont mixed use development, the Belmont Trail is part of Manheim Township's growing network of multi-use greenways and the latest of...
The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail is one of the best hiking and biking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region. It allows for nearly 20 miles of flat travel, punctuated by a number of access points and an...
Actually a small network of multi-use trails, the Farmingdale Trail has recently been extended through The Crossings mixed-use development and now connects several neighborhoods in the northwest...
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Part of the township's ongoing efforts to create a network of multi-use greenways, Manheim Twp.'s Heritage Trail begins at Valley Road and extends south, along the eastern boundary of Landis Woods to...
The Hollow Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway through scenic woodlands and valleys, offering a quiet oasis in the suburbs. The trail provides an important link between neighborhoods, schools...
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Included in the seven-mile network of trails in Little Buffalo State Park are two small sections of rail-trail. Together they are called the Newport and Sherman's Valley Railroad Trace. The...
The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail rolls 13.7 miles through a bucolic valley that’s hemmed in by the Blue and South Mountains in south-central Pennsylvania. Running from Shippensburg to east of...
This is a pleasant one mile community trail which begins right at the center of Red Lion, PA. The main trailhead is on Main St. at the restored MA&PA train station, which now is home to the Red Lion...
Sitting on the corner of East Main Street and Alley 5 in Thurmont is a green and white one-story building. Murals decorate its walls, depicting the history of the famous Hagerstown and Frederick...
Note: During hunting season, Pennsylvania Game Lands Regulations require ALL non-hunters present on game lands between November 15 and December 15 (excluding Sundays) to wear a minimum of 250 square...
Every year, tens of thousands of people take to the Capital Area Greenbelt looping around Harrisburg to play, exercise, and commute. The greenway completely encircles Pennsylvania’s capital city as it...
The Warwick Township Linear Park Trail is a joint project of Warwick Township and Lititz borough. The pathway extends from Market Street north, following the Santo Domingo Creek, to Newport Road....
This gently winding trail in Pine Grove Furnace State Park passes along the shores of two lakes and through the woodlands of Michaux State Forest. Pine Grove Furnace began operating in 1764 to take...
The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail follows the route of the historic Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, tracing the Susquehanna River northwest from Columbia to Falmouth. While the majority of the...
The Swatara Rail-Trail uses the corridors left behind by a canal and a railroad to snake around an Appalachian mountain in eastern Pennsylvania, passing through the forests of Swatara State Park most...
Heritage Rail Trail County Park (HRT), along with the connecting Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail that continues south through Maryland, are in Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. Both trails follow...
While the Lebanon Valley might be best known for its chocolate and distinctive bologna, iron ore is what put the region on the map in the 1700s. The 18-mile Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail—and the...
Situated near the south end of Lititz borough, the half-mile long Butterfly Acres Park Trail follows a restored wetland and small stream, connecting two neighborhoods. A smaller segment, which is...
A part of Manheim Township's network of multi-use greenways, the mile-long Kissel Hill Commons Trail extends across the mixed use subdivision for which it is named in the suburbs north of...
The popular Lancaster Junction Trail follows the former Reading and Columbia Railroad, which transported iron ore and coal from Reading to the Chesapeake Bay via the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal...
The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail is one of the best hiking and biking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region. It allows for nearly 20 miles of flat travel, punctuated by a number of access points and an...
Swatara Creek runs through the vast woodlands of Swatara State Park in eastern Pennsylvania. Bear Hole Trail traces the eastern side of the waterway, while the Swatara Rail-Trail runs along the other...
Caution: On April 12, 2018, a fire severely damaged the Martic Forge Trestle, which runs over Pequea Creek and River Road on the Enola Low Grade Trail. Access to the trail going west from the Route...
Lykens Valley Rail Trail is nearly half-way complete with 9 miles of trail open out of 20 miles planned. Those 9 miles are available in three disconnected segments. In Millersburg, a 0.4-mile segment...
Part of the township's ongoing efforts to create a network of multi-use greenways, Manheim Twp.'s Heritage Trail begins at Valley Road and extends south, along the eastern boundary of Landis Woods to...
The popular Lancaster Junction Trail follows the former Reading and Columbia Railroad, which transported iron ore and coal from Reading to the Chesapeake Bay via the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal...
The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail follows the route of the historic Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, tracing the Susquehanna River northwest from Columbia to Falmouth. While the majority of the...
Part of Manheim Township's growing greenway network, the paved, multi-use trail begins at the access road to the Manheim Township Community Park and loops around athletic fields and a playground at...
The Warwick Township Linear Park Trail is a joint project of Warwick Township and Lititz borough. The pathway extends from Market Street north, following the Santo Domingo Creek, to Newport Road....
This is a pleasant one mile community trail which begins right at the center of Red Lion, PA. The main trailhead is on Main St. at the restored MA&PA train station, which now is home to the Red Lion...
The Swatara Rail-Trail uses the corridors left behind by a canal and a railroad to snake around an Appalachian mountain in eastern Pennsylvania, passing through the forests of Swatara State Park most...
The Broad Street Greenway in York is anchored by the Alexander D. Goode Middle School at one end and Hannah Penn Middle School at the other. The bike-ped corridor parallels Broad Street in the heart...
This gently winding trail in Pine Grove Furnace State Park passes along the shores of two lakes and through the woodlands of Michaux State Forest. Pine Grove Furnace began operating in 1764 to take...
Part of the township's ongoing efforts to create a network of multi-use greenways, Manheim Twp.'s Heritage Trail begins at Valley Road and extends south, along the eastern boundary of Landis Woods to...
The 7.1-mile Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail-Trail runs from Ephrata west to Lititz in Warwick Township, following the former Reading and Columbia Railroad, which began service in 1863. The Lancaster Junction...
Lykens Valley Rail Trail is nearly half-way complete with 9 miles of trail open out of 20 miles planned. Those 9 miles are available in three disconnected segments. In Millersburg, a 0.4-mile segment...
Located in northern Manheim Township, the Brighton-Reidenbaugh Park Trail is a link in the suburban Lancaster County municipality's growing network of multi-use trails. The trail consists of 3...
This trail is not offically part of the Lancaster County Park system. It runs next to the Conestoga River at Sunnyside. The one end of the trail is at Lancaster County Central Park. Although there is...
As its name implies, hikers on the Chickies Rock Overlook Trail will be rewarded with a beautiful vista at the end of their excursion. The trail follows an old trolley line route that once took...
Forming the eastern side of a triangle with Elders Run Trail and the 130-mile Horseshoe Trail, the short, charming Middle Creek Trail is contained within wooded Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area...
The short, tranquil LeTort Spring Run Nature Trail follows its namesake creek closely, LeTort Spring Run, through a mix of deciduous trees and lowland marshes bristling with tall grasses and cattails....
The Jonathan Eshenour Memorial Trail, named for a local resident who died in a bicycling accident, offers a safe paved route through Derry and nearby communities. It begins in a rural area just south...
Note: During hunting season, Pennsylvania Game Lands Regulations require ALL non-hunters present on game lands between November 15 and December 15 (excluding Sundays) to wear a minimum of 250 square...
A link in the region's burgeoning network of multi-use greenways, the Warwick Highlands Trail connects several subdivisions, shopping centers and a hospital on the west side of Warwick Township, just...
Constructed as part of the Belmont subdivision/Shoppers At Belmont mixed use development, the Belmont Trail is part of Manheim Township's growing network of multi-use greenways and the latest of...
Enjoyable bike trail. I'm a beginner - and I appreciated that it was flat. Bathrooms were well kept and parking was good. Gravel was loose but not dangerous in any way. A very enjoyable ride - as a beginner riding during a time when the trail was not crowded, I was able to ride about 15 mph.
Very good ride on a partly cloudy Saturday. Plenty of other people on the trail, but it's a wide enough trail for bikers, runners, and walkers. Nice stop at the Vicksburg Trail Head about 4 miles from Lewisburg. Amish stand about 4 miles from Mifflinburg that has great root beer. Pay in cash on the honor system so bring $1 bills. Friendly people and everyone was courteous along the trail. Less than 10 miles one-way but good restrooms and good parking at each end.
Biking: Recommend starting at Lewisburg end as there is a slight, but noticeable, uphill about 75% of the way West. Better to have downhill on the way back. If you are starting at the Lewisburg end I highly recommend parking at the lot along the trail via N 15th St. The downtown park suggested in the description costs, as of 8/2020, a quarter coin only per 45 minutes (Mon-Sat) and starts you in a heavy pedestrian and road traffic area. N 15th St starts you past the Western busy streets (inc. Rt 15!). If you want a shorter trip, to avoid most of the walking traffic, and to get the very best of the trail then start at the lot where Beaver Run Road crosses the trail. Head West, and turn around when you hit asphalt. Restrooms at 15th St parking lot on the East end, and nearly at the end of the West end. There is a big park at the West end for picnicking, didn't see any other non-commercial tables.
Rating of 4 stars is based on the middle 6-7 miles of the trail, the scenery is pretty but pretty much just farms. The far ends have busy roads and unshaded asphalt. One road to cross near West end is 50mph+ traffic. Unlike other trails, nearly no cars slow or stop for crossing bike traffic. Parents, the ends are not recommended for children. The middle is mostly beautiful farm land with about 50/50 shade and sun. Lots of crossings (20?) in the middle, but all are side roads or farm driveways giving glimpses of nice Amish farms.
4th St at the West end has a covered bridge 1/4 mile off the trail. It looked like there was at least 3 brewery restaurants on the trail. There is a wonderful homemade whoopie pie, lemonade, and root beer stand near the middle. Reasonable prices, but bring singles since it is self-serve. Delicious and returnable bottled drinks are cold.
Trail is asphalt on the ends and very hard fast packed gray stone in the middle. The stone is dusty, you will be gray if it hasn't rained and passing traffic causes a minor cloud. I'd rate the ride-side-by-side stone trail surface 5 stars for consistency (dust doesn't bother us).
The bugs ate us for breakfast!
Definitely recommend picking up the trail south of York College campus if you want to avoid vehicular traffic. Experienced riders will enjoy the changing scenery and a high quality trail that allows plenty of room to safely pass slower riders/pedestrians. New riders will appreciate the packed gravel and low- to no-grade. Trail heads and crossings are well-maintained. Found plenty of parking in the morning at Seven Valleys trailhead. Brillhart parking fills quickly, but has porta-johns. Due to covid, restrooms are closed at Hanover Junction, but they have porta-johns in the lot.
First time on this trail last weekend. Rode entire length, from Cockeysville to New Freedom, and another 5 miles into PA on the Heritage trail, then back. Impressed by the condition of the trail the entire way, and love the sights. Rail Trail Cafe in New Freedom is a must - outstanding wraps.
Besides a mile or two of winding through York City that required stopping for heavy traffic in spots, the trail is awesome. It’s divided into North and South Sections with the the Southern Section being much longer and historic. Also the southern section has many more road crossings with one or two that you HAVE to dismount to be safe with heavy traffic. Even though it seems like common sense on a hot summer day; I found hydrating often on the return trip was vitally important especially if your wearing a helmet (they are required, but not all riders wore them). There is a small restaurant right off the trail in New Freedom, but with COVID 19 and probably because of the National Coin shortage, they only accept cards.So far its the best trail I’ve biked on overall!
I parked at the York Heritage Rail Trail NE Extension Rt30 Parking Lot to go biking. From there you can walk or bike north and go on a very pretty, well maintained loop for about 5 miles (bathrooms at the park at the end.). If that’s enough for you, it’s a great Trailhead. I rode that north section, then came back and went south from my start point. The first part is a very open section that runs along the creek and has cool views of the city skyline. This then takes you into York city and you must go through some sketchy neighborhoods for a mile or two. After that, you are back in the trail; it runs along the actual rail and it’s wooded and quiet. I saw a deer lazily wandering across the track. If it wasn’t for the couple of miles that made me nervous, I’d give this 5 stars. I will go again but park south of York.
Rode entire trail. Very nice, much to see. Loved the paved sections. Some inclines but easy enough. Well maintained. It was busy on a Saturday. Very friendly people on the trail.
Road from 2 miles east of trail until the closed section. so 24 miles. The 2 miles to Quarryville is very rough. Then it becomes a nicer gravel, flat and straight. Not much to see as there are tree lines on both sides. Wide trail. Probably better to ride when trees are bare. Like that it's open all year and probably great for cross country ski.
I ride this trail several times each week. I never get tired of the different views, critters and sounds. Well maintained, good surface and lots of things to do and see at each end of the trail.Enjoy!
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