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Lancaster County is home to some of the country's best hiking and biking trails and outdoor adventures. Explore the Great Outdoors with the whole family or find peace and quiet on a solo hike. Any time of year, here's a round-up of some of the best spots to explore!
Begin your captivating journey at the Columbia Crossings River Trail Center and venture northward, passing through the charming towns of Marietta and Bainbridge. This trail is a haven for cyclists and runners all year round, but it also transforms into a winter wonderland that caters to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts. Discover more about biking on the Northwest River Trail!
The Conewago Recreation Trail runs five miles along the former Cornwall-Lebanon rail line. The trail connects with the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail at the borders of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, creating a 19-mile trail network that’s perfect for hiking, running, cycling, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. It's also popular for birding, hiking, and horseback riding.
The Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail Trail connects three of Lancaster County’s most vibrant downtowns – Lititz, Akron and Ephrata – via an 8-mile trail along the former Reading and Columbia rail lines. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 46 min to complete. This is a very popular area for road biking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
The largest public green space in the county, Central Park features more than 13 miles of interconnected multi-use trails. Hiking and snowshoeing are permitted on all trails while select trails are open to off-road biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Seeking your next family hiking or biking adventure? Unveil the wonders of Lancaster County Park through a selection of three family-friendly hiking trails. If you crave a more challenging trek, there are an array of trails boasting elevations ranging from 75 to 656 feet. No matter what your agenda holds, rest assured that Lancaster County Park has the ideal trail awaiting your arrival on your next expedition.
Stretching from the Susquehanna River in the west to Atglen, Chester County, in the east, the Enola Low Grade Trail features 29 miles of trails built on a former railroad bed. A few gaps still exist, but the five mile western section along the Susquehanna is ideal for bikes, while the 10 miles from Quarryville east to Atglen are open only to hikers, walkers and runners.
The Conestoga Greenway Trail is a 2.6 mile out-and-back trail near Lancaster City that runs along the Conestoga River. It's the perfect trail for biking, running, and walking. Take advantage of this peaceful trail year-round, but especially in spring-fall.
The Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail is 2.33 miles located in Manheim. The trail is flat & gravel, perfect for walking, running, biking, and horseback riding! There are Amish farms along the trail so you can often hear or see farm animals. The rail runs along the Chiques Creek making it a peaceful, quiet trail to explore
Lancaster County is a great destination to visit year-round. Be sure to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly before heading out for the day. These seasonal trails are totally worth braving the elements and provide unique outdoor experiences for adventurers of all ages.
Located along the border between Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area was created to be a wildlife oasis, specifically for waterfowl and grassland nesting birds. It features 16 miles of hiking trails, including more than eight miles of the famed Horse-Shoe trail that connects Valley Forge to the Appalachian Trail. When the game lands are open to the hunting season, trail goers are to abide by the seasonal orange requirements; trails are open throughout the year.
Access is restricted during fall and winter when the game lands are open to hunters, reopening every March for the annual snow geese migration.
Open to hikers only, the Conestoga Trail system offers more than 60 miles of trails that cut a north-south path through Lancaster County and to the Maryland border in York County. The orange-blaze trails are maintained by the Lancaster Hiking Club. Sections of the trail cross state game lands and should be avoided during hunting seasons.
Bikeworks offers guided bike tours around the quaint small town of Lititz, PA. For those looking for a more adventurous ride, the Lititz Bikeworks is home to a cyclocross course – an off-road course that is open from spring until late fall.
The Lancaster Conservancy is dedicated to preserving natural lands throughout Lancaster County. Many include hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties. Be aware, hunting is permitted in designated areas of select tracts. Below is a partial guide to the open spaces managed by the Lancaster Conservancy.
The Lancaster Conservancy is dedicated to preserving natural lands throughout Lancaster County. Many include hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties. Be aware, hunting is permitted in designated areas of select tracts. Below is a partial guide to the open spaces managed by the Lancaster Conservancy.
Includes 2.0 miles of trails lined with native wildflowers and trees. Waterways in the preserve are open for fishing seasonally but hunting is not permitted at any time. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 26 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
A 1.4-mile hike to the river and back is easy along an unpaved road that’s closed to motor vehicles. Wildflowers are plentiful along the walk in spring, summer and fall. Because it is a wildlife preserve, hunting is prohibited at all times.
Kelly's Run features some of the most difficult hiking in the county. The Conestoga Trail System runs through the preserve for 1.6 miles and is part of a 3.5 mile loop trail that climbs from a low of 180 feet to more than 700 feet at its highest point. The preserve also features connections to other trails in the Pinnacle Scenic Overlook and Holtwood Nature Preserves. This preserve is open to hunters in-season.
Home to one of the best views in Lancaster County, the preserve offers 2.75 miles of interconnected moderate-to-difficult hiking trails. (You can skip the trails and go right to the scenic overlook, but where’s the fun in that?). This preserve is open to hunters in-season.
Take the Ralph H. Goodno Trail Loop for a challenging 2.4 mile hike. Turn south to stay along the edge of the meadow and enter the woods. Follow a single path dirt trail, cross House Rock Run, and connect with the Conestoga Trail at the House Rock Scenic Overlook. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are April through September. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
At 1,180 feet, Texter Mountain is the highest point in Lancaster County. Experience this 2.0-mile loop trail near Denver, Pennsylvania. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 58 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. The namesake nature preserve offers more than two miles of hiking trails that cross streams and springs. The preserve is open to hunters in-season.
Though only 27 acres, the Turkey Hill Nature Preserve features a 3.5-mile trail with two scenic overlooks along the Susquehanna River. Hikers can return via the Enola Low Grade Trail, an easy 2.5-mile walk in the flatlands along the river. The trail is open to archery hunters in-season.
The four miles of trails at Welsh Mountain also connect with more than three miles of trails in Money Rocks County Park. The preserve is open to hunters in-season. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through October. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.
Grind that gravel beneath your bicycle’s wheels and take in the countryside with a ride through rural Lancaster County. Lancaster Farmland Trust’s savviest cycling friends helped create unforgettable bike routes on some roads less taken for more scenic and peaceful rides alongside preserved farms.
The 18-miles route travels through the heart of Lancaster County’s Amish. There are a number of opportunities along the way to stop at roadside stands, shops, and more. With miles of quaint country roads and bustling main streets, you’ll certainly appreciate the work of Lancaster Farmland Trust in maintaining and preserving the open spaces and farming heritage of our beautiful region. There are some decent hills on this route, most notably on Mentzer Rd. after passing your last ice cream opportunity…so eat at your own risk!
The 27-mile ride, which starts at Donegal High School, features history, culture, and most importantly, the fertile farmland of western Lancaster County. When riding along and seeing a landscape of farms as far as you can see, it probably indicates an area of many preserved farms. A bicycle is a great way to explore Mount Joy and better appreciate preserved areas, like this one. There are many roadside stands on route, so you might want to tuck a few dollars in your shoe and bring a packbasket!
This 30-mile ride starts in Lancaster City and has tremendous variety, including wonderful city neighborhoods, some city bike lanes, and a scenic ride through the countryside passing by covered bridges, historic sites, and many preserved farms. It does have some challenging hills, especially in the vicinity of the County Park. The ride sweeps out into the countryside and passes through the historic town of Strasburg, which is in the heart of Amish country.
Whether you’re planning some free fun ahead of time or are looking for a quick way to fill a few hours while you’re here, we’ve rounded up a list of Lancaster’s free attractions, outdoor spots, and events for your morning…
Hiking or biking, Lancaster has got it all.
Explore the great towns and activities along the Susquehanna River.
41 Walnut Street Columbia, PA 17512 (717) 449-5607 Website
125 Lancaster Ave Strasburg, PA 17579-9606 (717) 687-8484 Website
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