The new bridge is beautiful and allows those who want to shorten the ride an easy way to do so. Credit: Ben Miller, Swatara Watershed Association. The southern end starts at a newer, state-developed parking area and canoe launch. Much of the trail is crushed limestone and asphalt, although segments at either end are dirt and grass and may be more conducive to mountain bikes than road and hybrid bikes. ", "Of all the trails I have been on this one is ranked highest by my teen. Started my trip from the campground north of the park.Can’t wait to do it again. The trail grade is relatively flat, with variable surfaces: dirt, gravel, and pavement, requiring wide tires. Start/Finish will be at the Swopes Valley Trailhead on the east side of the park. The trail now goes another 5 miles back to where you started, after you cross the bridge. On the other hand, if you want to plan your route, go to the excellent park map at:www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/maps/swatara_mini.pdfOr, you can contact the Park Office at 717-865-6470 and they will send you a large copy of that same map. Had trouble finding the parking lot in Lickdale so I drove to Pine Grove and parked at the Swopes Valley Trailhead parking lot. The first two miles of the rail trail on the Pine Grove end is virtually unusable and a missing bridge there requires the fording of Mill Creek. The 'trailhead' is simply part of a large field, nearly indiscernible from the rest of the large field. Youker. ", "Better Than Its Reputation: Swatara Park’s trails range in character from as smooth as you will find anywhere to virtually impassable. We decided to take advantage of the weather and ride this trail on Christmas Day. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. An 8-mile stretch of the Swatara Creek Water Trail winds through the park, and two miles of the Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, cross its southern sector. An 8-mile stretch of the Swatara Creek Water Trail winds through the park, and two miles of the Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, cross its southern sector. The trail grade is relatively flat, with variable surfaces (stone, gravel, and pavement) requiring wide tires. There are remains of a Union Canal lock along the Bear Hole trail. Overall the Swatara Rail Trail is pretty nice. Today the Swatara Water Trail offers 60-miles of outdoor recreation including canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. It was nice enough. You will be going up and down hills on this road, unlike the path on the other side which is smooth and flat almost the whole way. Other parts of trail have significant water damage. Bring bug spray and use it. Just past the KOA Twin Grove Park Campground (located on your right), take the first dirt road on your left for 0.7 of a mile. The trail interconnects with old roads without signs and it is very confusing. 5) Make sure you stop at the old Bordner Cabin on your way down the Bear Hole Trail. 6) This would undoubtedly be a magnificent foliage ride in the fall, but the amount of rhododendron on the Bear Hole Trail suggests that late spring would be equally impressive. Going down the hill a bit, I found some trailhead, I think here you can also get on the AT (Appalachian Trail)! After entering the trail there, the first quarter of a mile of the trail is rough and muddy, however, an informal detour around that section is available through the adjacent field. Swatara State Park Targeted for Trail Installation, Other Improvements No fine or crushed stone has been laid down to smooth or even-out the trail.The County Iron Bridge located 2.0 miles from the start, where the trail previously crossed the creek to Old State Road, is now closed but the trail now continues, paralleling route 72 for another 1/2 mile, and brings you to the relocated and restored Waterville Bridge. I once was almost run down by a rider who had her horse in full gallop going down the middle of the trail so that she could catch up to her friends ahead. Go 0.2 mile, and look for trailhead parking on the right. The resurfaced trail is about one mile in length. But the rest of the trails are just as good as before.But there is good news. The trailhead was a little tough to find (the map is out of date -- there's a new parking lot on Monroe Valley Road, just past the Swift trucking yard) but it's a fun trail. You can see the trail to one side of this entrance road. The next feature is the Sand Siding Pedestrian Bridge, which is iron and boardwalk, attached sections allowing the bridge to change direction. But by this time you will have seen route 443 that runs parallel to the trial. Nice parking and access from the state park. What’s missing? We rode and fooled around on this trail 5-2015. Future plans call for the Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail to meet up with the Swatara Rail-Trail in Lickdale. Even though you are out in the woods you are blocked in on one side by highway and the other by the water. It is more a logging trail quality than a road now, it has pavement, but an equal amount of gravel, and then those large stones mentioned below. My husband and I started our journey on this trail at the Lickdale trailhead. Cross-country skiing is permitted in the park, although the trail is not groomed. This did not deter me from finishing the route but maybe it should have. The child may get kicked. Improvements listed it as resurfaced in 2013. Scenic Swatara Creek meanders the length of the park and is surrounded by forests and wetlands that support a diversity of wildlife. There are several options within Swatara State Park for mountain bikers, I prefer the four established trails which can be accessed from the rail trail at Green Point Station. Swatara State Park. Swatara Falls is a beautiful, rugged place with soaring cliffs and boulders. Swatara State Park Mountain Bike, Hike, Trail Running trails near Lickdale, Pennsylvania. Tolerable, but spoils the mood. At one point the trail switches from the old rail bed to the old paved highway. Brought my 7 year old 9 year old 12 year old and they enjoyed the different trail surfaces. You may wish to pass up the opportunity to explore that two-mile section. There are three entrances that will lead you into the less challenging mid section of the Park and its trails. On average it takes 26 minutes to complete this trail. According to reps from PA's DCNR, this trail may eventually connect to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, and thus afford riders a trail all the way from Elizabethtown to Pine Grove. Pennsylvania State Parks are the best! This is a connection to the ‘Bear Hole Trail’ that parallels the rail trail on the other side of creek. They've always answered my questions and have been more than helpful. William Weismantel on October 28, 2015 Gravel Segment From Swatara Rail Trail, Jonestown, Lebanon County to Swatara Rail Trail, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Hopefully the last bit will receive its final crushed stone topper soon. As stated in other reviews, the 2 miles at each end of the trail are not quite as improved as the middle portion of the trail. There are few people on this trail. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. The trail from Lickdale to the Appalacian bridge is quite rough, I don't think it would be much fun on a road bike, but my hybrid goes fine. I will start by saying I did this with a gravel bike. My first trail since coming back to PA late this summer. Smooth riding - between bumps every hundred feet or so. Then you'll pick up a decent crushed gravel path through the very shady and pleasant woods. While this road is open to vehicles, there is little traffic. For the first two miles the trail is very rough, then you bike on an abandon road for a ways then jump back on the trail. From the parking lot, turn left to head 5 miles toward the southern trailhead in Lickdale, or turn right to head 5 miles toward the northern trailhead in Pine Grove. We also jumped over the creek at the new bridge and rode the Bear Hole trail. Four point four miles from Lickdale, you can turn onto State Park Lane and drive about one mile to a gate that also accesses the Park’s three miles of smooth asphalt road. If I were in the area I would definitely ride it again. A more reasonable way to enter the Pine Grove end of the rail trail is located just across from the Swedburg Church of God, 2.2 miles from the Pine Grove exit (Exit 100) of I-81 or, if traveling in the opposite direction, 9.5 miles from Lickdale. The horse manure is disgusting and you are always having to dodge that. So if you are using the traillink map to get to the southern parking area you will need to proceed about 3/4 of a mile north on 72 and then hang a right on Monroe to get to the parking area. The road runs past the remains of five canal locks and the site of a supporting dam that was destroyed by the Flood of 1862. Go 5.1 miles, and turn left at the entrance for Sand Siding Road. It's about 2.5 miles from the northern trail head and 100 m up to the left on a visible trail, but easy to miss. 14 trails with 18 photos The trail crosses very few roads.If you are heading from the metal bridge (where the Appalachian Trail crosses the path) to Pine Grove look for the blacktop paved trail leading up the hill on your left. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Since we were just looking for a leisurely, flat trail, we turned around at that point. There are two campgrounds on this trail: the one in Lickdale where the trail starts (they also rent bikes and kayaks) and KOA Twin Grove Park Campground (see www.twingroveparkcampground.com/index.html) near Pine Grove with 53 flavors of ice cream and a full service restaurant. The north spur is mostly grass and dirt and I can see how it could become muddy if it had rained. Some historical markers for this & other local features would be a nice addition. Bear Hole Trail: Running along the southeastern side of Swatara State Park, Bear Hole Trail (previously Old State Road) is a wide, rolling trail for hiking and biking. Mostly used to flat rail to trail. On my visit, I didn't encounter any horseback riders, but there was a good many piles of horse poop. Mountain bike trails, the Appalachian Trail, and Waterville Bridge will remain open, as will sections of the rail trail. We found that to be very true. Each loop is about 1.5 miles in length, totaling 9.8 miles. There are several trail junctions, including one with the Appalachian Trail, along the way. We started at what looked to be a recently developed parking area near the southern end of the trail. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/swatara-state-park Here, you’ll pass the 1890 vintage Waterville Bridge, a 221-foot steel bridge that was relocated here after it was retired in the village of Waterville, more than 100 miles from here. This new section will need to be explored. The trail is relatively flat, but plan to get muddy. On the way back I jumped up on the road that was there, and it was very nice. There are several cool bridges and I loved the mix of trail types -- including some abandoned roads. Riding south to north is a gradual ascent almost the whole way. Forests, rivers and streams define this scenic trail. Swatara Rail Trail extends from Lickdale Interchange (Exit 90) of I-81 to the Pine Grove Interchange (Exit 100) of I-81. Total trip was about 11 miles. Trail map of the Swatara Rail-Trail from Lickdale Rd. Once we got squared away we had our second issue. Be careful. I agree some trimming is in order for the first mile or two on way back after crossing the bridge. Both trails had continuous small bumps from horses hoofs in the soft fine crushed stone. Return the way you came. There is a connection off SR 443 south on State Park Lane with parking. The directions to picking up the northern end of the trail head near the Hampton Inn were really confusing. Definitely worth the ride from the Waterville bridge to the Swopes Valley Trailhead. I only encountered five vehicles as they slowly picked their way through the suspension abusing potholes on a pleasant December Sunday afternoon in 2004. Nice work. This is one of the worst trails I've ever done. You do need to study it carefully. Good views of Swatara Creek but I didn't see many places to stop and go down to the creek. The Sand Siding Trailhead, a little further North on the trail, has a nice parking lot. ", "I decided to take my Labor Day and discover the Swatara Rail Trail. The short length of trail that was closed because of strom damage has been repaired. We got a room in the Days Inn in Lickdale again and my wife drove shuttle up to Route SR 443 and Swopes Valley Road where the rail trail uses the highway for 100 feet due to a washed out bridge. Still ridable but rough. We saw only 2 horse back riders, 3 bikers and 2 hikers. The trail terminus is marked by a Hampton Inn and a busy highway interchange. We loved our day on the SRT and will be returning with friends soon. Then at the halfway point the trail allows horses. It was very dan. ", TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy, We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors, Lickdale Rd. In the reviews of the trail on this web site some people say it is a great trail and others say it is awful. The bridge carries the Appalachian Trail across the creek and connects with the Bear Hole Trail that runs 5 miles through the state park on the other side of the creek. It’s also very nice, BUT if you expecting a flat trail, return via the Swatara Trail. As such, it has some hills to deal with. Swatara is a hidden gem. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 30,000 miles of trail maps and more! I LOVED the trails at Swatara! Hikers may leave an itinerary with the park for emergencies. I witnessed a biker almost being kicked by a horse. But there is a temp concret plant on that part of the trial so I got back in the car and drove North on 443 for about 2.5 miles, on the right you will see a steel bridge that is the trial. Closings may be required along Old State Road/Bear Hole Trail, Rail Trail, the Lickdale Spur, and the boat launch near Swopes Valley Road. Trail is beautiful but would be very scary if I shared with a horse. Much of the trail is crushed limestone and asphalt, although segments at either end are dirt and grass and may be more conducive to mountain bikes than road and hybrid bikes. this trail is passible for most if you take you time. Rode Bear Hole trail down to the Waterville bridge which joins it to the Swatara rail trail. Operating under several subsequent owners, the rail branch closed in segments from 1965 to 1981. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. Recognized both state and nationally, the Swatara Water Trail is 60 miles in length, created by Swatara Watershed Association in cooperation with PA DCNR, PA Fish & Boat Commission, and the National Park Service with public launches established about every 7 miles. we have hiked & biked here. 3 overlapping segments. The 10-mile trail begins in Lickdale, crosses a gap in Blue Mountain created by Swatara Creek, and ends in Pine Grove. This trail hasn’t been improved. Susquehanna Area Mountain Biking Association's Trails Map. In 1862 a flood wiped out the feeder canal, which was never rebuilt. To reach a centrally located parking area in Swatara State Park from I-81, take Exit 100, and head west onto SR 443/Suedberg Road. then I continued on the trail through the state park to the east. Next the trail transitions to pavement, which essentially compromises the aesthetic of a rail to trail and should be replaced with fine grit. I enjoyed my ride but was disappointed with the surface of the trail. So out of ten miles only three to five miles are worth biking. It is a true rail trail, almost completely flat, and 80% of the trail has a great riding surface for all manner of bicycles. The bridge crosses the Swatara creek to connect Bear Hole and Appalachian trails and also has a parking lot accessed by Old State Road. Paddling the Swatara is like exploring a wilderness. The last two miles -- marked quite clearly by a missing bridge (!!) It would be a super ride if it weren't for the horses putting big gouges in it. Two of its short hills are steep enough to require my granny gear. This is mainly wooded area running along Swatara Creek. The Swatara Rail Trail extends 1o miles from Lickdale Interchange (Exit 90) of I-81 to the Pine Grove Interchange (Exit 100) of I-81. For the first 2.5 miles it was a old road. The trail surfaces vary greatly. Switches from gravel to fine grit to dirt. The bridge carries the Appalachian Trail across the creek and connects with the, Trending right after the water gap on the Swatara Rail-Trail, you’ll pass six mountain bike singletrack runs to your left of about 1.5 miles each. It is also the furthest distance from the main trail. Four point seven miles from Lickdale, just before Twin Grove Park, an unmarked dirt road will take you directly to the rail-trail. 2) If you start at the southern trail head of the Bear Hole Trail in order to avoid #1, be aware that there are only 10 parking spots. This Trail is open to vehicles the 2nd Friday and Saturday of each month. about 70°. 4) Be aware that the Bear Hole Trail is not a rail trail. Nice crushed gravel mostly tree lined trail along the Swaty. Take a left onto 443 and then you will go past the I-81 exit and follow the above directions.The trail toward Lickdale is a little rough but do able on a comfortable mountain bike. It was all chewed up, very bumpy and not so much fun dodging the horse petunias on the trail and bridges! The Interactive GIS Map uses Geographic Information Systems to create a map that does not need to be downloaded and features driving directions, searchable park amenities, and customizable maps.. I found a topographical map that shows a number of structures already located along the road when the map was drawn in 1889. Some nice off-shoots into woods. My only complaint is that horses should not be on this bridge as there were "road apples" along the entire bridge, I hesitate to post this because it is not a well traveled trail, and I hope it stays that way! The trail ends at the falls. Goes through a cut and becomes very muddy and spiced with the surface becomes rougher, muddier and... 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