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