Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Lancaster, 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.
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 Chester County Parks & Recreation Department opened this trail in 1979 on part of a former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each...
At one time an important thoroughfare for commerce carried by canal barges and railroad cars in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Schuylkill River corridor now accommodates walkers, bicyclists, and...
The Perkiomen Trail provides so many interesting historical and natural sites along its 20.6-mile length that visitors may have to ignore some of the trailside distractions to reach the other...
The Michael Castle Trail offers a scenic 12-mile route along the north shore of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in northern Delaware. The trail is named after the former governor and US...
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 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 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 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...
Located in Media Borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Ridley Creek State Park encompasses over 2,600 acres of woodlands and meadows. The park is only 16 miles from Center City, Philadelphia, but...
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...
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...
Maryland's Susquehanna State Park is recognized for challenging hiking and biking trails, camping facilities, rock outcroppings, boating, a museum and restored historical sites. But none of these...
Constructed in 2012, the Gravity Trail is one of the newer additions to the extensive network of trails and greenways that criss-cross the Greater Reading metro area. The trail's unusual name comes...
This 2.4-mile paved trail provides a quiet, scenic escape northwest of Philadelphia, from Encke Park at Radnor-Chester Road to the shopping center at Sugartown Road and Route 30. The trail travels...
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 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...
Maryland's Susquehanna State Park is recognized for challenging hiking and biking trails, camping facilities, rock outcroppings, boating, a museum and restored historical sites. But none of these...
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...
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...
Constructed in 2012, the Gravity Trail is one of the newer additions to the extensive network of trails and greenways that criss-cross the Greater Reading metro area. The trail's unusual name comes...
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...
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...
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...
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 Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail passes through the rolling green hills of the Schuylkill River Valley, from just outside of Tamaqua to Middleport. The trail runs immediately adjacent to US...
Located in Media Borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Ridley Creek State Park encompasses over 2,600 acres of woodlands and meadows. The park is only 16 miles from Center City, Philadelphia, but...
The Perkiomen Trail provides so many interesting historical and natural sites along its 20.6-mile length that visitors may have to ignore some of the trailside distractions to reach the other...
This 2.4-mile paved trail provides a quiet, scenic escape northwest of Philadelphia, from Encke Park at Radnor-Chester Road to the shopping center at Sugartown Road and Route 30. The trail travels...
At one time an important thoroughfare for commerce carried by canal barges and railroad cars in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Schuylkill River corridor now accommodates walkers, bicyclists, and...
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 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...
The Chester County Parks & Recreation Department opened this trail in 1979 on part of a former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each...
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 Rim Trail offers a 2.2-mile route in Hibernia County Park, following a former railroad bed along the West Branch Branywine Creek. This southeastern Pennsylvania excursion is one of a handful of...
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 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...
This 2.4-mile paved trail provides a quiet, scenic escape northwest of Philadelphia, from Encke Park at Radnor-Chester Road to the shopping center at Sugartown Road and Route 30. The trail travels...
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...
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 Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail passes through the rolling green hills of the Schuylkill River Valley, from just outside of Tamaqua to Middleport. The trail runs immediately adjacent to US...
Located in Media Borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Ridley Creek State Park encompasses over 2,600 acres of woodlands and meadows. The park is only 16 miles from Center City, Philadelphia, but...
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...
The Michael Castle Trail offers a scenic 12-mile route along the north shore of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in northern Delaware. The trail is named after the former governor and US...
The Chester County Parks & Recreation Department opened this trail in 1979 on part of a former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each...
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...
At one time an important thoroughfare for commerce carried by canal barges and railroad cars in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Schuylkill River corridor now accommodates walkers, bicyclists, and...
The Perkiomen Trail provides so many interesting historical and natural sites along its 20.6-mile length that visitors may have to ignore some of the trailside distractions to reach 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...
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...
Maryland's Susquehanna State Park is recognized for challenging hiking and biking trails, camping facilities, rock outcroppings, boating, a museum and restored historical sites. But none of these...
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...
Constructed in 2012, the Gravity Trail is one of the newer additions to the extensive network of trails and greenways that criss-cross the Greater Reading metro area. The trail's unusual name comes...
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...
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...
i have to totally Disagree with the first review . The trail from train station to Masonic is not for walkers only . i am a marathon runner & when training i run this Trail All the time! Great hills & paths to follow . Depending on what time you are out i Always see people . No bikes on trail because of walkers & runners . Very well maintained ..
While I often write reviews of trails, I seldom include reviews of places to eat along the trails. The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail is my go to trail, its a modest 40 minute drive, but if I ride the whole trail and include the 3 mile loop through South Hills Park and the 5 mile Conewago trail the entire ride is over 50 miles. When we are out for that long of a ride we like to stop to get something to eat. In the summer months we stop at the Jigger Shop in Mount Gretna but they are closed in the winter so I was looking for other places to eat. I prefer to dine at local eateries rather than big chain places, just a personal preference. Thanks to the TrailLink site I was able to spot a new place just off the trail near the Lebanon Expo Center, Ancestor Coffeehouse and Creperie. I am told by my fellow riders that they have great coffee and I can attest to their delicious crepes. They are open 7 days a week but the hours vary slightly. As they are off the trail about a half a mile I thought that I would include directions. From Lebanon head south to just past mile marker 13, go another 0.3 miles and take the paved trail to the right, at the bottom of the short hill turn hard right and follow the trail to the road. Go left on Springfield then left on Blackford, the restaurant will be on your right in a small strip mall. From Cornwall head north and pass the Lebanon Expo Center, at the end of the short paved section make a HARD left onto a paved trail then follow the directions above. One last note, I do not work at the creperie, nor do I know any of their employees. I just happen to stop by and liked the food and service.
Great area! Leads to awesome area with great mining history. It may be washed out in some spots *THANKS TO PENNDOT/OR THE ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE ** Yeah it is not good for bicycles at all but there are other places to ride as many other miserable ppl mentioned before.. That said its a nice walk, 209 is not thay loud most of the time, leads to 309 south rail trail above north bound 309 tho is only about 4mi one way 8mi both soooo yeah. Don't be afraid to venture off trail bc there os awesome views, streams, trails etcetera. There may be the occasional atv/dirtbike/utv but 85% are very considerate and cautious and DO NOT OR NEVER use the actual sand trail, they stay to the side in grass(cld clrly sea the trackks in grass) and def slow dwn when pedestrians are visible foe safety amd to leep dust down
.. please have fun, be safe, watch for snakes, and thank yakl!!!
I enjoy taking my dog for walks on this trail, however the last 2 times I have come across walkers who do not have their dog on a leash. This is showing disrespect for other walkers, and high risk for other dog walkers that could lead into a dog fight from the unleashed dog. It would be nice to have signs posted along the trail, to keep your dog leashed at all times. As a dog owner, keeping your dog leashed at all times is showing respect, and it's a shame that some dog owners cannot abide by common laws.
We rode from two hours away to try this trail. We wanted to ride the eastern end near Lykens. It was very difficult to find the parking areas which are not marked. The description of where to park on Trail Link was not very detailed. We finally saw a piece of the trail by the Library and parked in a small lot by the trail. We checked with the librarians on trail information and got some info from the girl at the desk. We started riding and soon discovered the small signs and arrows which lead you through alleys to try to avoid riding on main streets. Finally we came to four miles of fairly decent trail. The fine grit was nice and packed and rode like asphalt. There were a few light washouts where heavier stone shone through. The color was beautiful for later October. It would have been nice to have some mile markers and general signage explaining the trail. I hope they will continue adding to the trail and post notifications to such.
This was the 3rd of 5 short trails that we rode in one day. The best part of this trail was stopping at the Whole Foods for lunch. The trail developers and the businesses have done a good job of making the trail attractive, but it's just 1/2 mile long.
We rode this trail on a weekday morning in mid October and saw few others on the trail. It is a surprisingly woodsy setting amid the urban sprawl that is consuming the Lancaster County farmland. The crushed stone surface was a bit soft at places, but rideable with our 26x1.75 tires. The map for this trail needs to be updated, it does not show the paved extension to Long's Park. The trail extension is so new that it doesn't even show up on the satellite view or on the 2017 Google street level view. Still, this is a very pleasant ride and if you include a ride around Long's Park its about 5 miles. With so many more short trails in the Lancaster area (we rode 5 trails and could have done 5 more) its a great area to explore and enjoy.
So much fun! Just decided to pick a new trail to explore last weekend and drove to Columbia. Terrific scenery, paved, beautifully maintained, nice people, very well used with a park in-between, and all the “stuff” that makes rails to trails biking enjoyable. Plenty of opportunities to leave the trail to explore the charming town of Marietta—even drove back for dinner.
My husband, dog and I use this trail system at least 5 times a week. It’s longer than the map shows. If you are familiar with the area, this trail extends out to Lancaster Ave in Shillington. There are 5 places to park. Near the beginning of the trail @ the West Reading Fire House, the Reading Museum, the ponds, the field trail, and one at the Lancaster Ave end next to the soccer fields. From open fields to wooded areas, there are plenty of scenic spots around for everyone. This is my happy place!
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