Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Pennsylvania, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Nice short trail through Lancaster farm land. Definitely bumpy & would not be my first choice but good connector to Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. Today a section was closed near Rte 743. I figured a way around via Old Hershey Rd and Beverly to 743. A good gravel bike or mtb is the way to go on this one. Doable on my old Cannondale CX but shock absorption would have made this a lot better.
Just got done this trail 10/9. Gap trail is a wonderful easy ride. Places we stayed were awesome! Bright Morning B&B, Ohiopyle suites. We stayed in the Karly. It was great! Right off the trail!! Coffee shop is great too. They also have a laundromat. We then traveled to Meyersdale where we stayed in the hotel airstream! Gotta stay here! It was great! Know that if you need to take the train back to Pittsburgh like we had too, it can run late. 5hrs for us. We met so many nice people along the way. That’s what I think of when I think of this trail!
I just rode the trail 11 Oct 2025- shortly after the new Sideling Hill Trailhead grand opening a couple of weeks ago. I utilized the PA Turnpike to drive up from Harrisburg area- very easy and trouble free- just know that afterward you have to drive another 10 miles UP the turnpike to turn around and head back to Harrisburg....ugh 20 additional miles, even though both East and West bound have access to the Sideling Hill Rest Stop. Trail Head had really nice bike servicing equipment and picnic tables- Lots of food options at Rest stop- everything you need after 20 mile ride- Burgers and Pizza!! Leaving the rest stop- you ride a service road that is open to bikers (Mountain House Road). You then come to a 4 way stop- Make a left on North Hess Road- you will see a old farm/log cabin house on your right (see my pictures)- go straight this road will turn in to Pump Station Road- ride for about 1/4 of a mile do not turn on the first unmarked road on your right- go to the second road on your right just after the first one- look for a mail box- there is a home that shares the access- ride past home and you will be at the TOPP Trail- you will see cement road barriers on your left- this is the entrance to the trail- Enjoy your ride for the next 8 miles or so. The first tunnel you reach is about 1.5 miles up- This one is long and dark maybe a mile long. The second one is shorter. The trail is rough in sections due to the blacktop being torn up- if your a Pennsylvanian- this a typical PA road LOL potholes! Beware if you are with children or offend easily- There is a TON of Graffiti and things that will make a sailor blush (I used to be in the Navy). There is some really talented art work along the ride though. I would recommend mountain bikes or gravel bikes- my bike has 45MM tires and I rode with 35 psi which I thought was perfect for the rough areas. This trail was "Creepy Cool" and a perfect ride for a fall day and Halloween around the corner!
I found out about this website while biking at this trail. It was also the gentleman's first time at the trail also. I was greeted by hellos and smiles along the way...The scenery is very calm and serene....
Enjoyed another very nice ride on this trail. Though the entire length is nearly 12 miles long, the section to the East of Route 19 is paved and very nice. We get in some good miles by going back and forth. Leaves are only beginning to change, early October.
Though roughly 2.5ish miles in length, the trail is always enjoyable to be on. This time of the year it's not real buggy. Trail is paved and in decent condition. The posts at the end of the trail have recently been painted by a member of Mercer County Trails Association.
A detailed description of this trail can be read from my August 2016 review. It is still a pretty trail offering a good workout! As mentioned in my title, most of the wide open views of the trail have disappeared due to the growth of foliage. In fact, I didn't even recognize the trail! After crossing over Valley road, the trail is almost continuously ascending to its endpoint. On my first outing on this trail, the Valley trailhead parking lot and the half moon section of the trail on the northwest side of Valley road was gravel. It is NOW asphalt. There is a lot more vegetation along the trail making it difficult to see the creek from which the trail was named after. The trail is well maintained. One interesting observation on this outing is that the 0.81 mile section from the Water Street Trailhead (Spring Township York Water treatment facility) to its terminus has posted signs of "Temporarily Closed to Pedestrian Traffic". I don't know the reasoning for the temporary closure. The trail was wide open without any impediments or obstructions. If fact, this section was one of the prettier pieces of the trail.
We had a beautiful morning on this great trail! It started off cool( in the high 40s) but warmed nicely by noon. Watched some trout being stocked in the river on our way back to the car. I’m looking forward to coming back and seeing more of this area.
This is a well maintained beautiful trail. We parked at the trailhead at Levan’s road -nice pavilion and restroom to use. When you come to the loop at the end of the spur going right will avoid the hill people mention. It’s not extreme by any means but it will get your heart rate up a bit. We saw quite a few friendly people riding , walking and running. Loved the signage along the trail sharing the history in this area. April thru October check out the Chuckwagon drive in Ironton. Excellent sandwiches and ice cream.
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