Explore the best rated trails in Hanover, PA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Heritage Trail (PA) and Elizabethtown Connector Trail. With more than 77 trails covering 4334 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.
Awesome trial to run or bike. At 13 miles it is almost exactly a half marathon. Down and back should be a full Marathon. Mostly flat and smooth. Passes thru different neighborhoods with lots of options for stopping to eat or let the kids take a break and play.
It's nice to be able to ride all the way through again but Too bad they had to build this hideous concrete and steel bridge though, instead of finding the person who burned the old one and hanging them from the trestle as an example.
The Grist Mill Trail is closed for about a year for bridge repairs. Sept 2022-Sept 2023.
In the last week of October 2022, while heading to N. VA. to attend a hobby show,
I decided to bring along the bike to sample some bike trails along the way.
First stop was the Cardinal Greenway. Next I transited to N.VA via Ohio, Pennsylvania,
W. Va & Maryland. Oct 27 2022, I took My first ride on the "Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
National Historical Park" towpath (here after 'C&O'). By comparison to other trails I've
done, this trail is packed gravel, so a change of wheels/tires was in order. The surface
reminded Me of the Forest Service roads at De Soto NF, so I felt right at home. My start
point was Carderock Recreation Area. The access road actually goes through a tunnel
'under' the canal & towpath! This is milepost 10.5. From there I went west toward mp 16.6,
Swain Lock (lock 21). On the way you will encounter 'the Great Falls' of the Potomac. Stop
and check out the walkway to the Olmsted Island & Falls Overlook. Spectacular, and this is
just 10 miles west of Wasington DC! I then visited the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center, then
returned to Carderock for lunch. After a break, I headed east getting as far as mp 7 (lock 7),
before returning to Carderock. I was running out of time, & decided to save the rest of the
east leg for another day. [21 miles total, and lots of sightseeing!]
After visiting the 24th "International Paper Modelers' Convention" 2022 (the point of the road trip)
on Sunday, Oct. 30th, I decided to Return to the 'C&O', and complete the eastern leg. Starting at
the Lock 8 parking area, walking the bike down a flight of 'stairs', I started the ride at mp 8.3 in the
Seven Locks area, heading east. Soon encountered the Capital Cresent trail, which crosses the C&O
on an old railway bridge, then runs parallel into the city. Just for comparison, I rode the Cresent, which
is asphalt, into town, and the C&O out. With a brief hour of sightseeing by bike around the National Mall
(because I was there) then back to the start. 3 hrs/22 miles. Will return again, as this was just a recon
ride [the whole C&O is 184.5 miles] I only scratched the surface!
A portion of the trail, from the Root Beer Barrel parking lot to the Eighth Street parking lot is closed until Jan. 13, 2023 due to electric lines being repaired.
Love this trail. Druid Hill Park is very scenic (and will only get better as the Druid Hill Reservoir project completes hopefully next year). It's great to be able to ride all the way down to the Baltimore Visitor Center and get something to eat in the inner harbor without having to deal with major traffic.
Two things to make note of. Be prepared for some fairly decent climbs heading south to north. And it's good to have the TrailLink app installed on your phone if you haven't done the trail before and don't know the turns. There are markings on the path and sidewalks, but they're starting to fade and in the fall, leaves cover a lot of them.
Rode the trail in early November. The paved trail is generally in good shape, though there are a few root bumps here and there. The road noise and airplane noise were a big detraction. There was a nice view of the airport and seeing the planes taking off and landing was fun. There are a few inclines and declines, but nothing overly significant. All in all, it was just okay for me.
I walked the trail for about 2 miles (4 miles round trip) starting at the trail head off of Washington Blvd near Carroll Park.
The pros are the scenery, beautiful trees and the stream views. The cons are you can hear I-95 at the beginning of trail and the isolation---few trail users.
Last Friday I rode my bike 28 miles I enjoyed it
We stopped here 9/22 en route to biking the C&O - what a treat! The cinder surface was well maintained: smooth sailing for our hybrids. varied and beautiful scenery, historical placards along the trail. . Logistics were fantastic: Plenty of parking in Shippensburg, drinking water and clean restrooms at both ends. 2- hours round trip, finished at sunset, followed by takeout Vietnamese dinner from Rice+Pho. Next am we took self-guided walking your of Shippensburg, also worth doing Rice+Pho.. wandered around historic Dientuen smShippensberg next day for an hour or so Thanks
The Hollow Creek is sure- a thing trail to walk, alone, or with a friend, kids, and a dog! My 2 dachshunds & I love the wide windy gravel path through wood with colorful trees, deer, streams, and flowers. The shade shelters us from light rain, winds, and hot sun. The trail is accessible from a variety of entry points because it intersects side roads connected to neighborhoods and the pathways of Dallastown Intermediate School.
Often I walk from the Valley road entrance to the end where it meets Susquehanna Trail, turn around, and walk back. My dogs love to stop at the creek and cool off, then we continue on. Often I see deer in the woods or up on the hill across from a farm. One time I saw a huge turtle hanging out and we were amazed.
Sometimes I make my walk longer by going to the connecting trail on Beck road. That trail passes a neighbor and connects to the Dallastown Intermediate School path around the school.
This trail is a great trail to take a friend who doesn't walk a lot because one can decide how long or short one wants to go. Please know the Valley Road entrance is about 2/10 of a mile from a beautiful nature walk that takes you to Richard Nixon Park.
On each walk, I finish feeling relaxed and happy. My dogs and I appreciate the wide trail especially when bikes or others need to pass around or opposite me.
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