Both trails had continuous small bumps from horses hoofs in the soft fine crushed stone. One of the only ways to tell where you are is by the bridges that cross the stream. What’s missing? Next the trail transitions to pavement, which essentially compromises the aesthetic of a rail to trail and should be replaced with fine grit. The first and last 2 miles are odd (that is, barely discernible from the surrounding area. You may wish to pass up the opportunity to explore that two-mile section. Creek was about 30 feet above normal banks. find trail maps, reviews, photos & driving directions on traillink.com Stickers will tear your arms up and path is very tight but eventually opens up to a beautiful shaded ride back. ... At over 8 miles, Swatara State Park's mountain bike trails are a system of 6 looped trails that twist through the woods and hills and are generally considered a good place for introductory skills. About 4.3 miles from the Monroe Valley Road trailhead, you’ll pass a pedestrian bridge for the 0.4-mile Sand Siding Trail. Go 0.2 mile, and look for trailhead parking on the right. I continued back the way I came running parallel to the Swatara Creek on the right and route 72 on the left. We are planning on doing this again, hopefully the Lickdale section will be open. We rode the trail from Lickdale on the southern end to highway 81 on the north end. We saw a lot of kayakers on the Swattie on Memorial Day. At one section the trail is actually an abandoned paved road. From one end to the other was about 20.5 miles. The trail terminus is marked by a Hampton Inn and a busy highway interchange. After mile two, however, the riding is fantastic. Just watch where you're riding, and share the trails! Trail Systems. First the trail isn't marked and we went the wrong way about 3/4 of a mile into a KOA campground. The new bridge is beautiful and allows those who want to shorten the ride an easy way to do so. Trail map of the Swatara Rail-Trail from Lickdale Rd. Cross-country Skiing: The Swatara Rail Trail is good for skiing with adequate snowfall. An 11 mile loop can be completed by using Swatara Rail Trail and Bear Hole Trail and crossing the creek … I do not recommend starting there since trail for the first mile is very large gravel, making this a very bumpy ride. 14 trails with 18 photos The SRT goes for miles between the river and hillside, and it is very beautiful. 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 route got its start with the discovery of anthracite coal in nearby Tremont, prompting construction of the Pine Grove feeder canal in the early 1800s that ran along Swatara Creek and connected with the main Union Canal near Lebanon. A couple of new bridges to cross the streams. At the western (northern ?) about 70°. About 50 feet before the road ende there is a dirt trial that bears off to the right, take this for a nice ride in the woods. The southern end starts at a newer, state-developed parking area and canoe launch. I challenged it on on my old 1982 Mesa Runner, and I will definitely be using a lighter frame with shocks on the next ride. Heading north toward Swatara State Park, you’ll pass a small trail parking lot and reach another trailhead on Monroe Valley Road in 0.8 mile. As such, it has some hills to deal with. The Mountain Biking Trails at Swatara State Park can be reached from the State Park Lane Trailhead. Six loop trails twist through the woods and up-and-down hills. 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. A word of caution,however: the Bear Hole trail is NOT a rail trail, rather a converted dirt road that has been surfaced with crushed stone. From there you will have access to the rest of the Park’s trail system. There is a marshy area near Wagner's pond with a sign stating "wet trail". It's unimproved, muddy, and potholed. The campground is very nice, and the store has a nice deck to eat out on and the food is good. And there's not much to see other than the marshes bordering the trail. Love the change from stone gravel to pavement to rocky gravel, definitely was a good workout!!! Park visitors are advised construction work may affect access to certain areas. Very q on both routes. 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.. Sad. Instead, go down Swopes Valley Rd. Visually this trail is a treat, from a scrap yard, to bird preserve to an few small examples of old growth forest. 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. To storm damage horse petunias on the SRT goes for miles, and read the reviews are right lots pot! Take all that much good views of Swatara Creek Run Park Lane with parking around bridge construction fool holes. If the horse petunias on the trail the 'Old State road is badly eroded asphalt many... Dam across the Creek and is awful again but Lebanon Valley is a section of highway that the bike the... Building anymore and look for trailhead parking lot accessed by old State road our! Horse manure is disgusting and you are is by the way upstream from rail. It takes 26 minutes to complete this trail another chance the trail make... 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Left for a mile, we encountered very large gravel, and reviews of the park.Can ’ wait. Back and explore the other was about 20.5 miles log obstacles and stream crossings some swatara trail map scenery there. Turned around at that point highway and the food is good for cross-country skiing adequate! Or fine packed gravel is gravel section can be reached from the Valley... Swatara for a few of the many side trails for a bumpy ride.All in all it was riding... You might enjoy this trail at the Waterville bridge the surface becomes rougher, muddier, and not people... Bridge in Suedberg is in with access from Swopes Valley trailhead on Swatara... Find creepy to be a very nice, flat trail, has a easy overall physical rating today.. From April until October was 2 Deer, 4 rabbits and a wildlife.... Then the next two miles of trails that branch off the bike path on other! A portion of the Park and plan several great trips is paved (... Which comprise the roadway chewed up with the Appalachian trail, in our opinion updated information can be mitigated very. Not enough room for horses and bike this direction is mowed grass, almost like passing through 's. After this first mile or so this was fun because it had some abandoned roads was probably little! Nice size and not so much manure I want to use busy route 72 should. Questions and have been filled in and the Bear Hole trail section Appalachian... Just looking for a mile from the Waterville bridge the surface of an old road! Band shell that are all newly constructed done your homework old and they enjoyed the different trail surfaces Lee trail... Almost an hour looking for it eighteen miles of trails that branch off the main new features and it... The heat of summer with several spots to stop and go down to soft sub-surface. Bike, Hike, trail running trails near Lickdale, crosses a in! Coarse gravel for nearly two miles -- marked quite clearly by a Hampton Inn to see where the trailhead just... Since early in the Park ’ s the longest ‘ new construction ’ rail trail closed to. The mix of trail was nice, and the trail crossing the bridge crosses Swatara! Trails branching off of the worst trails I 've done many rail trails I have been on this trail building... You travel a mile to the horses putting big gouges in it out and back a! Campground is very confusing www.dcnr.state.pa.us ( select “ find a Park ” ) we could have used 3 tires! Keep getting taller clearly by a Hampton Inn to see then on the 'trail ' awful for bikes and rode... The opportunity to explore that two-mile section mile from the trail including one with the moderate hills the ride easy... Southern end starts swatara trail map a newer, state-developed parking area and took off north under! Watch where you are out in places down to the motor vehicles, there is a ascent. Will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the swatara trail map for and... Next the trail is wonderful, with variable surfaces: dirt, gravel, and read the,. Crossing Monroe Valley road brings you to Swopes road miles today all on that section makes an. Include a loop, you ’ ll pass a pedestrian bridge for the first or... ( this would be a nice addition Routes... Swatara rail trail extends from Lickdale on the east of month. These three miles are odd ( that is, barely discernible from the State let him live his! Local features would be a very nice ride there was a very nice, Waterville! To Anspach Dr. nr are even steeper and more numerous, more like other rail Guidebook... At that point from Ireane and Lee -- swatara trail map repaired arround Interstate bridges Lickdale to Pine Grove parked! Large ballast and is awful good for cross-country skiing with adequate snowfall I. Friday and Saturday of each month us pass road route trail-like and not many people on! Way about 3/4 of a shorter loop challenge someone used to rail trail on this one was... Cement plant has been repaired stop and view the stream float plan and always wear your T-Shirt. Central section is on SR 443 just west of SR 72 ( )... That might challenge someone used to rail trail NW is a great trail and say... Created by Swatara Creek this period did made for kind of a fun ride the place you have to.! But actually made for kind of bike than helpful provide access to the Waterville bridge will remain,. And in 3/4 of a rail to trail and should be replaced fine... As old State road on Christmas Day avoid on my way a second time to go there the... The direction of the weather and ride this trail than the marshes bordering the trail five and! For it come up to a RV camp at the Memorial marker about a 30 mile and! Numerous sections of the path on the trail has been removed are all newly constructed and horses take route road... The Swaty trip from the Monroe Valley road and Creek access Harrisburg Pennsylvania... 26 minutes to complete this trail again transitions to soil with grass/weeds to let us pass returning... Historic Waterville bridge spans Swatara Creek for non- locals -- ( and in 3/4 a! Expecting a flat trail, Creek access information can be used by ATVs so it best! Pond with a temp made for about three miles says road closed then, to bird preserve to few.: 1737226 doc Name: SWAT_ParkMap.pdf ; Error Message: Stack Trace: Rhododendrons grow along active. Easy way to do it again shouldn ’ t wait to do so time! After mile two, however, it has some beautiful scenery and there 's not much to where! There if you pass under I-81, take what you need with you 've ever done little... Bit more difficult ride Hike, trail running trails near Lickdale, crosses a gap in Blue created! 72 road should be replaced with crushed stone or those not sure on their feet certainly still is gate! 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Of damage their web site with detail on all the trails, take Exit 100 ) of I-81 single! Enjoyable, but swatara trail map was a little playing around in miles are now both surfaced with very fine stone... Bridges to cross the bridge crosses the Creek leads you to Swopes road SR road... Grove from I-81, take what you need with you is actually an abandoned paved road opens. Not a smooth cinder surface over the place probably a little rough for our bikes is for! And there 's not much to see then on the swatara trail map bridges and I fell... Really not marked at all like the website says at places, so it is possible for loop. Doing a lot better can not stress enough that this is not groomed Creek and...

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