Location: Northwest of Elizabethtown
See Map (PDF)

Length: 5.5 miles

Surface: Crushed Stone

The Conewago Recreation Trail is a former railroad that was repurposed in the 1980s. It sits in a mostly agricultural area. To the north, it continues into a wooded area of Lebanon County. It heads all the way north to the city of Lebanon. At the other end, the hope is to extend the trail southwest to the Susquehanna River near Falmouth. This extension would connect it to the Northwest River Trail.

Location: North of Landisville (Salunga Exit of Rt. 283)
See Map (PDF)

Length: 2.3 miles

Surface: Crushed Stone

Another rail trail from the 1980’s, the Lancaster Junction Trail heads north to the small town of Lancaster Junction in Penn Township. It runs along Chiques Creek and is lined with trees. In the future, this trail could be accessible from Salunga. It could also be extended south to a proposed trail called the Swarr Run Greenway in East Hempfield Township.

Location: From east end of Lititz Borough to Ephrata Borough
See Map (PDF)

Length: 7.1 miles

Surface: Mostly Crushed Stone, some Paved

Opened to the public in 2018, the Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail actually runs along the same inactive rail line as the Junction trail. The trail represents a huge win for connectivity in our County. It connects three towns: Lititz, Akron, and Ephrata. The trails also has beautiful views of Lancaster’s characteristic farm landscapes. There are plans to extend the trail west to Lititz Springs Park and north deeper into Ephrata Township.

Location: Along Susquehanna from Columbia to Falmouth
See Map (PDF)

Length: 14 miles

Surface: Paved

Instead of following a railroad, the Northwest River Trail runs along an old canal route. It passes bridges, old tunnels, and other historic remnants of the area’s past life in shipping. There are also a few great places to dine (or order takeout) nearby. Thanks to the completed paving in 2020, this trail is great for a wide range of users. There are plans for it to be connected to the Conewago Recreation Trail on the northwest end and to the Enola Low Grade Trail to the south.

Location: Turkey Hill to Safe Harbor Railroad Trestle / Martic Forge Trestle to east end of Quarryville Borough
See Maps (PDF)

Length: Current: 15 miles (Planned: 29 miles)

Surface: Crushed Stone with Unimproved Sections

The Safe Harbor Railroad Trestle spans the Conestoga River on this trail. When it opens as part of the Enola Low Grade Trail in Fall 2021, we will have a stunning view over the Susquehanna River. Current segments of the trail will be fully connected when the Martic Forge Trestle is repaired from a 2018 arson. There are plans to connect the as of yet unimproved sections west of Quarryville with Chester County's trail system. The Turkey Hill end has a study to extend it to the Northwest River Trail.

Location: LGH Suburban Pavilion to Leola
See Map (PNG)

Length: Current: 0 miles (Planned: 14 miles)

Timeline: 2027-2030

The Lancaster Heritage Path is a proposed trail that will combine on-road and off-road active transportation facilities and have a variety trail surfaces. Part of the trail project involves converting the abandoned Rt. 23 Bypass (a.k.a. The Goat Path) into a 16 ft. wide shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path.  Communities along the path are collaborating and working on their part of the trail to bring this vision to life.

Contact:
Michael A. Domin, AICP
Principal Planner
Land Use and Transportation Team
Lancaster County Planning Department
150 N. Queen Street, Suite 320
Lancaster, PA 17603
domin@lancastercountypa.gov
(717) 299-8333