Find the top rated bike trails in Carlisle, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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...
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...
Part of Manheim Township's growing network of multi-use greenways, the Manheim Township Bikeway begins off Kissel Hill Road, immediately north of the intersection with Landis Valley Road. Heading...
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...
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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...
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...
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 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...
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....
The Gettysburg Inner Loop is a network of multi-use trails and signed, on-street bicycle routes, paralleled by sidewalks for foot traffic, currently being built around the perimeter of the historic,...
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 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...
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 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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Part of Manheim Township's growing network of multi-use greenways, the Manheim Township Bikeway begins off Kissel Hill Road, immediately north of the intersection with Landis Valley Road. Heading...
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 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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Part of Manheim Township's growing network of multi-use greenways, the Manheim Township Bikeway begins off Kissel Hill Road, immediately north of the intersection with Landis Valley Road. Heading...
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 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...
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 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...
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...
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...
The Gettysburg Inner Loop is a network of multi-use trails and signed, on-street bicycle routes, paralleled by sidewalks for foot traffic, currently being built around the perimeter of the historic,...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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!
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!
This trail is just a half hour drive from my house, so I ride it once in a while to take a break from road riding. From the southern main trailhead parking lot going north, the trail is a fine grit surface, but then becomes a coarse gravel surface for two or so miles that is unpleasant to ride on. This gravel should be removed and replaced with fine grit. Next the trail transitions to pavement, which essentially compromises the aesthetic of a rail to trail and should be replaced with fine grit. The trail again transitions to fine grit for a few miles, but finally transitions to soil with grass/weeds. Yesterday there was ponding water on this section as deep as 3 or 4 inches and we didn’t even bother to ride the last 2 miles of the trail; this area requires improvements as well. This trail is amongst forest and a stream, but the nearby interstate highway noise is noticeable. Overall, the trail is enjoyable, but it could use the noted improvements.
I rode the entire Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail starting from a nearby trailhead on the Conswego Recreation Trail and finishing at mile 15 in Lebanon. The area experienced heavy rainfall a few days before I rode but aside from a fallen tree branch on the trail that was easy to navigate I couldn't tell as the trail was in perfect condition. I did not notice any trail imperfections.
There were some mild grades that go on for a mile or two in an area or two of the trail but it makes for smooth sailing going downhill. The trail offers a lot of shade and a variety of scenery from farmlands, forests and some housing developments. There are several road crossings but most were not very busy even in Lebanon. The trail was pretty busy on a beautiful Sunday but everyone on the trail was polite and considerate. I did notice that the Cornwall and Colebrook trailheads were very busy so plan on arriving early to assure yourself a spot there.
My kids did the whole trail and back. Granted we had a picnic for lunch and many breaks. It took us 8 hours to do it. The fun things to cross over and through happen at Newville and northward for a few miles. The rail cars are only at the Shippensburg Trail head. Other than those things there is just trees and farmland to see.
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