Looking for great spots to hike in Lancaster County, PA? Check out this post for suggestions!
Best Hiking Spots In Lancaster County, PA
1. Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve, Holtwood PA
Location: River Road, Holtwood
Length: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Notes:
Check out this 2.5-mile loop trail near Pequea, Pennsylvania. Approximately 387 acres of largely abandoned dirt road and well-worn trail wander through a beautiful ravine for approximately one mile. Sometimes, the road and the trails are one and the same for short distances, but they are generally apart. We suggest hiking the trail down to the railroad and then hiking back on the road.
2. The Serpentine Barrens – PA/MD border
Location: Nottingham County Park, 150 Park Rd., Nottingham PA
Length: 2 – 3.5 miles (can crisscross trails for over 10 miles total)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Notes:
Read Jorge G.’s review of The Serpentine Barrens on Yelp.
3. Lake Grubb Nature Park, West Hempfield
Location: Hempfield Hill Road, 1/2 mile south of Marietta Avenue.
Length: 1 mile, circling the lake (formerly iron ore mine pit)
Difficulty: Easy
Notes:
The park is the site of a former iron ore mine. The ore pit has filled with water, creating Lake Grubb. The park is approximately 54 acres in size. The site is heavily wooded, with a hiking trail encircling the lake. Several fishing areas have been developed. Boating, swimming, and pets are not allowed.
4. Conewago Recreation Trail
Location: Lancaster/Dauphin county line near Elizabethtown. (continues into Lebanon County as well)
Length: 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Notes:
Formerly the Cornwall-Lebanon rail line, the trail connects to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, and follows the Conewago Creek through scenic farmland and woodlands.
5. Landis Woods, Manheim Township
Location: Meadow Lane, Lancaster PA
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Notes:
Landis Woods has approximately 70 acres of hilltop forested land. It’s located just south of Neffsville. The park features several tree-covered hiking trails, with most being on hillside and hilltop terrain (not ADA accessible).
Also at this location is the Boettcher House and Boettcher House Museum, a small museum and nature center, which is available for meetings and small parties. The outdoor Landis Woods Performing Arts Center is a recent addition. Numerous picnic benches are provided near the House.
Landis Woods is a 2 mile somewhat moderately trafficked loop trail that features a great forest setting. It is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding. It is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
6. Homewood Nature Preserve
Location: Keneagy Hill Road, Paradise
Length: .85 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Notes:
A loop trail circles the property. In autumn, flaming red maples shine as you walk on the trail through old meadows and onto a wooded hillside, opening up onto a field which is surrounded by woods. If you continue downhill through the beech and oak trees, you’ll arrive at Eshleman Run. The water quality in this stream is excellent, and you’ll find many good places to sit and absorb the beauty and sounds of nature. The total trail length is estimated at just under one mile.
7. Northwest Lancaster County River Trail
Location: Columbia / Marietta area
Length: Approx. 14 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Notes:
Follow this trail which was developed from a master plan in March 2003. The trail is a public recreation trail that’s approximately fourteen miles long. It spans five municipalities along the northwestern edge of Lancaster County. It travels along the Susquehanna River and abandoned canal locks and iron furnaces.
8. Horse-Shoe Trail
Location: behind Pretzel Hut
Length: 3.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Notes:
Furnace Hills Pike to Horseshoe Trail Road is a point-to-point trail located near Lititz, Pennsylvania that has moderate traffic. It features beautiful wildflowers. The trail offers a few activity options and is generally best used from March until November. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leash.
9. Ferncliff Wildflower and Wildlife Preserve
Location: Wildlife Preserve Rd., Drumore
Length: 1.7 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Notes:
A National Natural Landmark, Ferncliff’s old growth forest and wooded ravine are home to a profusion of plants common to the River Hills. The wildflowers of Ferncliff are what make this area most special. On the hillsides and ravines are some of the best examples of River Hills timberland. Transient and nesting bird populations are varied.
10. Shiprock Woods Nature Preserve
Location: 2628 Shiprock Rd., Willow Street
Length: 1.07 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Notes:
It is speculated that the “Shiprock” name came from a large flat rock in the nearby Pequea Creek that is said to be the size of a ship!
AND – we’re super excited to note:
Warwick-to-Ephrata-Rail-Trail is now open! (2018)
Location: Fulton St. / Railroad Ave. in Ephrata access OR Clay Rd./Warwick Township municipal building
Length: Approx. 7 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
The Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail-Trail, first envisioned in the 1990s, is built along the former Reading Railroad line. The nearly 7-mile route was completed in late 2018 and connects the communities of Lititz, Akron and Ephrata.
Its western section, also known as the Lititz-Warwick Trailway, spans both urban and rural landscapes. It also passes two restored 18th-century buildings with signage explaining their history.
Through Akron, the surroundings are primarily residential neighborhoods. (including the home where Jennifer King was raised, and this very rail trail is where Jennifer used to ride her horses while growing up, prior to the formalization of the trail) 🙂
The trail includes a lighted pedestrian tunnel under Route 272 (7th Street). Continuing east, the pathway then enters Ephrata.
Once known as the Ephrata Linear Park Trail, this section was renamed in 2013 as the Major Richard D. Winters Memorial Trail in honor of a decorated World War II veteran and hometown hero. Dick Winters was featured in the book, Band of Brothers, by historian Stephen Ambrose, and portrayed in a TV miniseries of the same name.
Ephrata was his boyhood home and he was buried here in 2011. The well-developed, paved pathway through downtown Ephrata offers lighting, benches and landscaping.
As always, if you have questions on anything Lancaster County related, feel free to reach out to Jennifer & the team at 717-723-9080!
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