HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL COUNTY PARK:
YORK, PENNSYLVANIA-MARYLAND BORDER
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: February 03, 2025
Length: Heritage Rail Trail County Park; 27.4 miles
Torrey G Brown Rail Trail [Maryland]; 20 miles
Difficulty: Heritage Rail Trail County Park; Easy, flat rail trail. North of York; Paved. South of York; Stone-dust.
Torrey G Brown Rail Trail; Easy. Flat stone-dust rail trail.
Directions:
To start from the John Rudy County Park parking lot in York [Northern End]; From I-83 take exit 24 to Route 238 east. Turn right on Route 181, then left on Emig Rd. Take your second left on Mundis Race Rd. The park entrance will be on your left after a mile. The trailhead is on your right.
To start from North Pershing Ave in Downtown York [Northern Section]; Take exit 22 off of I-83 to North George St and travel south to downtown York. Turn right onto W Philadelphia St and then right onto N Pershing Ave just before you cross over Codorus Creek. There is on-street parking dedicated for the trail next to a private parking lot. There are signs.
The 19th century saw the growth of the Northern Central Railroad, a vital link between Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, PA, upstate New York and Lake Ontario. The railroad was also a prime target for the Confederate Army prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, as Rebel troops cut telegraph wires and destroyed bridges in their efforts to isolate Washington from the rest of the Union. After the tragic Battle, President Lincoln traveled via the Northern Central RR to the Gettysburg battlefield, his train stopping in Hanover Junction on November 18 and 19, 1863. The station was restored to its 1863 Civil War appearance in 2001 and a Civil War Museum is open to the public. Approximately 5.5 miles South, of the Colonial Courthouse is the Howard Tunnel. It is the oldest continuously operational railroad tunnel in the world. The brick lined, 370 foot tunnel originally opened for traffic in 1838. The tunnel was rehabilitated in 2003. The Heritage Rail Trail County Park travels North, from Maryland's Mason Dixon line through New Freedom, Glen Rock, Hanover Junction, Seven Valleys & York to John Rudy County Park. The trail connects to Maryland's Torrey G Brown Rail Trail . In addition to the Colonial Courthouse in York, three historic structures are located along the trail; Hanover Junction & New Freedom Train Stations and Howard Tunnel. Since the railway is operational, please stay clear of tracks at all times and cross only at established crossings. For more information visit; HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL .
Starting from the John Rudy County Park parking lot in York [Northern End]; I haven't checked out this section. This section is referred to as the Heritage Rail Trail; Northern Extension. Follow the paved trail South, out of the park, then right, West, alongside Mundis Race Rd. The trail then veers away from the road and South, alongside Codorus Creek at 0.8 miles. Central York HS is across the creek. Travel past Crist Fields to an intersection at 1.7 miles.
Note; Right brings you to the Crist Fields parking lot.
Continue left across a bridge over the creek, then underneath Emig Rd. Here the trail travels South, along the East Bank of the creek, through woodland. Travel underneath a RR bridge at 3.3 miles, where the trail now travels atop a dyke. Travel underneath Route 30 and come to the Loucks Mill Road parking lot at 4.4 miles. The trail then crosses back over the creek via the Route 30 Bridge and continues South, along the West Bank of the creek, atop the dyke. Travel underneath I-83, before passing by North York Borough Park and crossing Willis Run at 5.2 miles. Pass by Smalls Athletic Field where you'll briefly travel on-road, along Hamilton Ave (low traffic) out to N George St at 5.7 miles. A wide cement path left will take you back across the creek. The wide, paved trail continues South, along the East Bank of the creek and RR tracks, through Downtown York. Lose the RR tracks at 6 miles, as the RR crosses the river. You then cross another set of RR tracks. Caution, may be an active RR line. The trail soon narrows as you travel alongside N Pershing Ave. Multiple street crossings along this section. I've checked out this section. Cross W. Philadelphia St where you'll find a Map Board. Look left across the street to spot the COLONIAL COMPLEX and Barnett Bob House. Historic area, be sure to check out this area. Informational signs along trail. The trail now runs alongside Codorus Creek, passing by the 1754 Colonial Court House on your left before crossing W Market St. After traveling underneath W College Ave where the trail now travels between the creek and RR tracks. This is an urban/industrial corridor. Pass a Pocket Park and come to Kings Mill Rd at 6.9 miles.
Note; Straight, leads to S Penn St.
Head left, across Kings Mill Rd, where the paved trail continues Southwest, alongside the RR tracks and away from the creek. You’ll pass by Mile Marker 20. Mile Markers every mile along the trail (starting from the Maryland Border). Cross Grantly Rd at 7.3 miles, where the trail turns to stone-dust. The trail crosses back and forth over the rail tracks all along the route. After crossing a bridge over Indian Rock Dam Rd at 8.8 miles, the trail becomes a little more secluded as it turns South. Cross Indian Rock Dam Rd again, where the trail now travels out into the countryside. You cross a RR bridge over Codorus Creek at 9.8 miles, where you’ll find a shade covered picnic table. These are located all along the trail. I then passed by a white old RR Mile Marker 53. These old RR Mileage Markers were located every mile along the railroad. You cross Days Mill Rd at 10.5 miles.
Note; Right, a paved trail leads to the Brillhart Station parking lot.
The trail follows the creek and RR tracks South. After passing by the scenic Twin Arch Horse Farm, you'll cross over Codorus Creek and Twin Arch Rd before the trail highlight “Howard Tunnel” at 12.2 miles. Constructed in 1838, this is the oldest continually operated tunnel in the world. An informational signboard is located on the other side of the tunnel. Cross Glatfelters Station Rd, before Come to an intersection at 14.2 miles.
Note; Left, North, a paved trail leads over the creek to the Glatfelter's Station Road parking lot.
Cross over the creek again and
come alongside Church St. Pass by the Seven Valleys parking lot and pavilion
on your left at 15.5 miles. Check out the funky “bike
art” next to the trail. Map Board & picnic pavilion. Pass through the small village of
Seven Valleys. Refreshments
and eateries. Cross the creek again and come to the
Hanover
Junction Station parking lot at 16.8
miles. Cross the creek a couple more times before passing through Glen Rock and
across Route 216 (Main St) at 20.6 miles. Plenty of refreshments in town.
The trail continues South, to New Freedom and the old New Freedom RR Depot. Old rail cars/caboose. Cross E Main St, look right to spot the NORTHERN CENTRAL RR , train rides available. Come to the Maryland Border after 27.4 miles and the Mason Dixon Line. Here the trail continues South, as the Torrey G Brown Rail Trail another 20 miles to Ashland, MD. Map Board & picnic pavilion.
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