NRT Database

Location: Starting south of York City, the trail travels 19 miles south to the Maryland/Pennsylvania boundary, Rail trail connects York south to Seven Valleys, Hametown, and New Freedom.

State(s): Pennsylvania
Counties: York
Longitude: -76.70296
Latitude: 40.0234

Driving Directions

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Description

Note: 5.7 miles of the Heritage Rail Trail's northern extension is now complete and open to the public. This northern extension does not yet connect to the 21.5 miles of rail trail south of the City of York, and there is now a temporary 8-block on-road connection. The City of York will be constructing an off-road dedicated connector in 2020, at which time the Heritage Rail Trail will be approx. 28 miles in length.

The trail travels south 21.5 miles passing through eleven municipalities including the towns of Seven Valleys, Glen Rock, Railroad and New Freedom and adjoins directly with the Maryland Northern Central Railroad Trail (20 mile non-motorized rail trail). This trail, located in the center of York County, is the central spine of a planned greenway trail system to interconnect communities. Trail amenities include twelve interpretive signs that explore natural and historic features such as:

- Hanover Junction Railroad Station - A rail stop with a connection to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
- Howard Tunnel, 1838 - A 250 foot long tunnel named for a Revolutionary War soldier from Baltimore
- New Freedom Railroad Station , 1860 - Served as a passenger and freight station until 1971
- Mason Dixon Line
- The old line of freedom
- Agricultural - Numerous preservation lands adjoin the trail

The trail is constructed adjacent to the railroad tracks (tracks remain in place and are usable) with a surface of crushed compacted stone. The cost to construct the trail totaled 3.7 million dollars. Funding partners included: federal, state, county and municipal dollars, individual and corporate donations as well as utility fees collected for use of the corridor. In 2006, visitation to the trail totaled 310,295.

Additional Details

Width: 120 inches.
Primary Surface: Crushed Rock
Secondary Surface: Crushed Rock

Average Grade: 3%
Maximum Grade: 6%
Elevation Low Point: 360
Elevation High Point: 860
Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available

Year Designated: 2008

Supporting Webpages and Documents

Contact Information

For more information and current conditions, contact the trail manager (listed below). For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails.

Trail Management:
Thomas Brant
York County Parks and Rec
400 Mundis Race Road
York, PA 17406
(717) 840-7440
[email protected]