Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Carlisle, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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...
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 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 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 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...
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...
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 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...
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 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...
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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 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 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...
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A renovated former railroad tunnel that features a separate entrance for bats is a highlight of the Penns Creek Path. The path is a relatively flat segment of the 328-mile Mid State Trail that runs...
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...
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...
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...
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The Iron Horse Trail follows two abandoned rail beds: the Path Valley Railroad and the Perry Lumber Company Railroad. Originally, the Path Valley Railroad was going to be an extension for the Newport...
Farms and pastures surround the Conewago Recreation Trail, but it was the discovery and mining of iron ore that led to the development of the railroad that eventually resulted in this trail. The path...
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 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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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 Hanover Trolley Trail is being built along the 16-mile corridor of the York-Hanover Trolley Line that ran between the two cities in the early 1900s. Currently, about a quarter of that distance is...
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...
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...
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 Hanover Trolley Trail is being built along the 16-mile corridor of the York-Hanover Trolley Line that ran between the two cities in the early 1900s. Currently, about a quarter of that distance is...
Farms and pastures surround the Conewago Recreation Trail, but it was the discovery and mining of iron ore that led to the development of the railroad that eventually resulted in this trail. The path...
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 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 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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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 Iron Horse Trail follows two abandoned rail beds: the Path Valley Railroad and the Perry Lumber Company Railroad. Originally, the Path Valley Railroad was going to be an extension for the Newport...
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...
10/24/20 - friends and I rode the newly completed section at Falmouth. What a beautiful job they did. Nice wide path to Bainbridge, where it connects to the rest of the trail. If walking, beware of snakes! My friend almost ran over a rat snake that blended with the pavement. Copperheads are blending with the leaves.
Walked from 222 bridge (bridge not quite open yet as of this writing but looks to be soon) east to Green Tree Hardware on Georgetown Rd. Route 222 to trailhead at route 372 crossing just east of Quarryville is in good shape. Mostly well maintained gravel. East of 372 it is less good but easily manageable walking or biking. A lot of gnats and standing water along the sides in the trenched portion. Otherwise OK all the way to Hollow Rd. From Hollow Rd to almost Lamparter Rd, it is NOT good. It was passable but not easily with lots of mud and the trail is not at all well-kept. An interesting tunnel under Mt Pleasant Rd was barely walkable but may not be during a wetter time of year. However, there is a nice alternative trail to this section on the north ridge which I think is actually one of the nicest portions of the Enola LG trail as it goes through beautiful scenic woods. When coming from the west after crossing Hollow Rd, instead of following the normal trail back down into the rail cut, go around the dirt mound to the left and follow the trail through the woods along the north ridge. The trail through the woods was easy to follow. It crossed Mt Pleasant Rd and continued on the north ridge and eventually provided 3 options to return to the main trail just before getting to Meetinghouse Creek. From there to Green Tree Hardware at route 896 was reasonable. When heading west, look for one of the three trail connections into the woods on the right just after the Meetinghouse Creek Bridge to take the much nicer alternate.
Reviewed as recreational biker-
Path quality rates 4.5 stars, scenic value 2 stars
Hard stone dust very wide (12 foot) path with no puddles. Other than road crossings it is basically flat. Very safe to ride with small children. Completely flat means you pedal the whole way in both directions, not a burden but there is no fun coasting with the air blowing through your hair.
Path runs under a wide power line the whole way. Full sun. Even though it is an interesting hilly area, they dug through hilltops so you never see a view and filled in the low areas so you never see the streams below. There are a few farm fields near Quarryville but you are mostly on a wide path beneath power lines looking at the same treescape. A few interesting bridges as you go over busy roads. Goes through no towns. This is not scenic, as far as rail trails go.
Not overly crowded even on a beautiful Saturday in September. Only found one picnic table, at the West end where the trail is closed (why close so far from the scenic trestle instead of right at the bridge?). No Amish sightings.
Again, this is rated as a recreational (rail trail) biker. This trail is better suited to walkers or families not going far. Choose another section to bike for an scenic afternoon outing.
We (3 couples) rode the trail from the Chickies Rock County Park up to Bainbridge and on to Falmouth on October 20, 2020. The section from Bainbridge to Falmouth had JUST been completed. They did a great job on the new section. The trail is all macadam and much less twisty than the first part of the trail. We met a work crew in trucks while going up the trail, and they were very considerate and courteous to us as we passed each other.
This is probably our favorite Rail-Trail, and the fact that there's a Pub with great food and a bike rack right on the trail certainly doesn't hurt. Now, if there were only an ice cream shop on the trail....... !!
As of 10.20.2020 it’s paved to Falmouth but sign said Falmouth section will be closed Monday the 28th for maintenance so be warned.
We used this for the return from Pine Grove. It’s a great trail but no flat like Swatara Trail. Don’t use unless you are ok with climbing some hills, one with a grade in excess of 10%. They are no long, but just letting you know they exist. Enjoyed the fall colors.
Great tandem ride from Lickdale to Pine Grove and back. The Swatara Trail is a mix of rough gravel, new pavement, old pavement, crushed limestone, a little dirt, and even some grass lawns thrown in just before the end in the parking lot of a Hampton Inn. Kinda strange, but no big deal. We can back vis the Bear Hole Trail. It’s also very nice, BUT if you expecting a flat trail, return via the Swatara Trail. The hills are not long but one exceeds 10% grade. Otherwise, it’s a great route back. Very q on both routes.
Switches from gravel to fine grit to dirt. The north spur is mostly grass and dirt and I can see how it could become muddy if it had rained. But overall a very pretty wooded ride.
This is a rare trail as it’s a very easy and brief hike through a cool forested area with a gorgeous view at the end. However, the traffic noise from the nearby bridge and road, the trash and graffiti by the subhumans that seem to hangout there, with no trash receptacles at the entrance, mar the experience...
We started at the Quarryville parking lot and headed east to the end of the western section. The trail is in great shape and we loved seeing the PA countryside. At the easternmost endpoint, we encountered a flat tire and was without the proper means to repair it. Fortunately, there were some local trail volunteers working that gave us a ride to retrieve our car and then led us back to pick up our bikes. We are forever thankful for the kindness of the the local trail users in assisting us. Thank you.
As of 9/27/20 the segment from Bainbridge to the Falmouth trailhead was still gravel BUT there was a noticed stating from 9/21/20 to 10/9/20 it would be closed for construction with heavy equipment and trucks on the trail. Another handwritten notice said it would be closed starting 9/28/20 so the schedule may have been pushed back a week but perhaps by late October the northern end will be completely paved.
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