LRRC & Trails
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Lancaster County and the surrounding area is fortunate to
have a wonderful network of trails to provide runners with the opportunity to
find a new challenge, vary their training schedule and enjoy the great
outdoors. Local trails range from
the flat and smooth surface of a recreation trail to the rocky and gnarly
challenge of a hilly hiking trail.
Runners use trails for a variety of reasons. For example, some runners enjoy trails
for the forgiving surface on an easy recovery run, while others focus on trails
in their training and compete in trail races.
The purpose of this page is to provide an easy to follow
guide to the trails of the Lancaster County area broken out in terms of Easy,
Moderate and Advanced trails. Our
goal is that you will find a trail that fits your specific training needs.
Trails in this category are generally flat and have a
smooth surface. These trails are
ideal for a person who has never run on a trail. These trails are also perfect for
fartlek training, or for an easy recovery run after a track workout or a
race.
Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail Location: The trail can be accessed on Auction
Road near Manheim, or just off the Salunga Exit of Route 283 on Champ
Road. Details:
The trail is 2.5 miles in length and runs along an old industrial
railroad bed. The surface ,
comprised mostly of cinders, is flat and forgiving. Mile markers are posted along the
trail. The trail is maintained by
the County of Lancaster Parks Department.
For more information, contact the Parks
Department.
Conewago Recreation Trail Location: The trail can be accessed on Route 743
approximately .5 miles North of
Route 283, or on Route 230 one mile West of the Borough of Elizabethtown.
Details: The trail is 3
miles in length. Its surface is
flat and forgiving, and mile markers can be found along the trail. The trail is maintained by the County
of Lancaster Parks Department.
Moderate Trails
Trails in this category generally have a smooth and
forgiving surface, however, they may also include some hills,
rocks and uneven sections. These trails provide an excellent
opportunity to learn the skills to become a trail runner. In addition, while these trails are
excellent for easy or recovery runs, they are often the venue for hotly
contested races.
Lancaster County Central Park Location: The main entrance to the Park is on
Chesapeake Street between South Duke Street and South Queen Street in Lancaster
City. Details:
Lancaster County Central Park is probably the most convenient source of
moderate trails in the Lancaster area.
The park’s trail network can probably accommodate runs of up to 10-12
miles. The trails are mostly very
smooth and forgiving with many rolling hills. The LRRC meets at the park almost every
Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. Running
with the club at this time is the easiest way to learn your way around the
trails. However, the County of
Lancaster Parks Department maintains an easy to read map of the park’s
trails. For more information,
contact the Parks Department at (717) 299-8215 or see the park
website.
Races: The
LRRC sponsors two races in Lancaster County Central Park. On the Saturday of Mothers’ Day weekend
in May, women can compete in the Mrs. Smith’s Challenge 5 miler. On Fathers’ Day in June, men can test
their fitness in the Smith’s Challenge 10k and 20k.
Mount Gretna Trails
Location:
Trails can be accessed from many places in the Mount Gretna area,
however, the best place to access the trails is by parking at one of the many
parking areas located along Pinch Road.
Pinch Road is a left hand turn when traveling North on Route 72 about 4
miles North of the Borough of Manheim. Details: The trails in Mount Gretna provide a
wonderful resource for the budding trail enthusiast. The trails in this area lie on a
combination of State owned Game Lands and "protected natural property" owned by
the County of Lebanon. One can run
any distance from 1 to 15 miles without running on the same trails twice. In fact many trail runners utilize Mount
Gretna for 2-3 hour long runs. The
terrain is relatively easy with a few hilly and rocky sections. The beginner will be challenged, but the
expert will not be disappointed.
The entire Mount Gretna area is beautiful, and contains much
History. After your workout, a trip
to town is very worthwhile. The
town has several restaurants, a swimming lake, a playhouse and a famous ice
cream joint called "The Jigger Shop". Races: While there currently are no official
races on Mount Gretna Trails, the LRRC holds an informal triathlon in the area
every August. Also club members can
usually be found on the trails every Thursday evenings during the Summer
months.
Advanced Trails
Trails in this
category are for the true trail rat.
They contain lots of uneven terrain, rocks, roots, steep hills, trees,
cliffs, water and other objective hazards.
A novice could certainly have fun on these trails, however, it would
probably be best to cut your teeth on some moderate trails before hitting the
following areas. The rewards for
venturing onto these trails are amazing.
For example, you will see breathtaking views, beautiful flora and fauna,
wildlife, and best of all, you will find some solitude. Advanced trails will also build fitness,
strength, coordination and balance.
Advanced trails are also the home to some of the most challenging races
one can enter.
The big ones.
The county offers the Conestoga Trail System and the Horseshoe trails. The Mason Dixon
trail runs north south through York County. The Appalachian and Tuscarora trails
can be accessed in a little more than an hour from
Lancaster.
Conestoga Trail Location: The Conestoga Trail can be accessed at
several points along River Road in Southern Lancaster County. The most popular trailheads are at
Pequea Creek Campground, Tuquan
Glen, Pinnacle Overlook and Holtwood Park.
To reach these locations simply follow Route 324 South to River Road and
look for the brown signs which direct you to these locations. The area is owned by PP&L, and the
trail is maintained by the Lancaster Hiking Club. Please respect the area and leave no
trace that you were there. Details: The
Conestoga Trail is a rugged trail that runs along the Susquehanna River from
Pequea Creek Campground to Lock 12 in Southern York County. It is easy to follow with salmon colored
blazes on trees. The trail is strenuous but extremely beautiful. When running on the trails, you will
ascend and descend many steep hills, and go through small streams that run into
the river. You will get countless
views of the Susquehanna River from the tops if hillsides and cliffs. You are likely to see buzzards, eagles,
deer, turtles, foxes, snakes and polecats.
You will also pass through Tuquan Glen Conservancy Area. This place is so beautiful that it will
surely become one of your favorite spots in the County. The Conestoga is an excellent choice for
a weekend jaunt through some real woods or a serious long training run in
preparation for your next marathon. Races: The popular Conestoga Trail Run 10 miler
is held here each September. The is
a very challenging race for the expert trail runner. It is also a club event, so if trails
are not your thing, or you're not ready for a race of this caliber, come out and
volunteer--you will see some amazing performances.
The Mason
Dixon Trail
Location: The trail can easiest be
reached by taking route 372 West over the Norman Wood Bridge into York
County. Immediately after crossing
the bridge, turn right into the Lock 12 Parking area, and the trailhead is on
your right. Other more "difficult
to find" trailheads exist, for more information, contact the webperson. The trail lies on property owned by
PP&L and the Gladfelter Pulp Wood Company. Details: What the Conestoga Trail is for the
Lancaster County side of the Susquehanna River, the Mason Dixon Trail is for the
York County side. The best running
on the trail starts at Lock 12 and goes north along the Susquehanna River
following blue blazes on trees and rocks.
The Mason Dixon Trail is very similar to the Conestoga Trail in terms of
terrain. It is a very beautiful
place to get away from people and run alone. Although, the most popular run on the
Mason Dixon Trail is an out and back from Lock 12, other training possibilities
exist and will be added in future updates.
Links of interest
Go take a hike through wild river
hills on the scenic Conestoga Trail - Lancaster Newspapers
Article>
Trail Running FAQ
see Trailrun
FAQ's excellent Q&A by Ron Horn, RD to many Berks (county above Lancaster)
county races
Easy Trails