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. They've always answered my questions and have been more than helpful. Even with my low pressure 35c tires it was pretty bumpy. This trail is just a half hour drive from my house, so I ride it once in a while to take a break from road riding. Again, very lonely, but a little more lit than the bike path on the other side of the river. Take some time to admire the workmanship, appreciate the Agriggs waterfall, and visualize what this place must have been like when it was inhabited (the large photos on the walls help). In the meantime, the Reading Railroad had built several connecting lines along the canal that were consolidated as the Lebanon and Tremont Branch in 1871. 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! It is a great shaded trail in the heat of summer with several spots to stop and view the stream. From the campground, the entrance to the trail is now marked and the cement plant has been removed. I frequent this trail as its close to home and a nice 12-13 mile loop running up then down either side of the swatara creek. I started at the Trout Run trailhead and rode one of the connector trails to the mountain bike complex. Started my trip from the campground north of the park.Can’t wait to do it again. Completed 13 or so mile loop including the bear hole trail. The child may get kicked. It is a beautiful and quiet ride, although somewhat boring as there are few intersections with civilization, but I hope to ride the entire length someday. I noticed several groups of people walking this section but no fellow bike riders. The trailhead map doesn't indicate the direction of the trail. 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. However I found a great map to print on the Swatara State Park web site with detail on all the roads and trails. Crossing Monroe Valley road brings you to a section of rougher trail surface. 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. There are remains of a Union Canal lock along the Bear Hole trail. The Swatara Creek Water Trail is a 42-mile segment of Swatara Creek from Jonestown, Lebanon County, to the PA Fish & Boat Commission's Middletown Access, in Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Understandably they need to exercise too but their hooves wreak havoc on the trail. Each loop is about 1.5 miles in length, totaling 9.8 miles. In the reviews of the trail on this web site some people say it is a great trail and others say it is awful. There is not enough room for horses and bike. Doc ID: 1737226 Doc Name: SWAT_ParkMap.pdf; Error Message: Stack Trace: We start on the Bear Hole trail and do the hills first, then connect with the Swatara for a beautiful flat ride. The State plans to turn it into a non-motorized trail. You will need a car with reasonable ground clearance to comfortably take this dirt road route. Overnight parking for AT hikers is on SR 443 just west of SR 72. I found a topographical map that shows a number of structures already located along the road when the map was drawn in 1889. Couldn't find the trailhead, so we moved on down the road until we saw an open spot on the side of the road near the trail. Otherwise, it’s a great route back. 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. It will get better. These single track natural surface trails are a maximum 24 inches wide with log obstacles and stream crossings. The section that says no horses is good but the other sections with horses the trail is smooth along the edges as the horses stay in the middle. Camp Swatara, 2905 Camp Swatara Road, Bethel, PA 19507, USA 717-933-8510 info@campswatara.org 717-933-8510 info@campswatara.org Closings may be required along Old State Road/Bear Hole Trail, Rail Trail, the Lickdale Spur, and the boat launch near Swopes Valley Road. The trails in this area are confusing. The spring rains have gutted the upper trail section and the choice of rock to fill in was a little large, there are nice holes and rocks that will get your attention if your daydreaming but overall i like this trail and recommend checking it out if your passing by, lve yourself roughly and hr to run it but theres some nice relaxing areas to enjoy and usually friendly people to talk to. It’s also very nice, BUT if you expecting a flat trail, return via the Swatara Trail. In another 1.2 miles, the trail begins a narrow passage through the water gap through Blue Mountain created by Swatara Creek. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating. Harrisburg – A long-awaited construction project that will see trails, parking areas and bridges installed at Swatara State Park in Lebanon and Schuylkill counties is now underway, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said today. Horseback riding is allowed from the Sand Siding Trail east to Pine Grove. A couple of new bridges to cross the streams. Paddling the Swatara is like exploring a wilderness. You do not have to get on this road to ride this trail, actually I only did it for this review and to explore. 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. WHOAA!! Several years ago, it was repaired and renamed Bear Hole Trail as Swatara State Park was developed. Swatara Rail Trail starts as crushed stone and grass until it crosses Monroe Valley Road, where it turns to gravel (1-2" size) for about half a mile. Part of the Memorial Lake State Park Complex, Swatara Creek is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing enthusiasts, especially in the spring. Overall, the ride was nice, not really a typical rail trail, but you have to remember, this trail is relatively new, and still a work in progress. SO glad the construction is over and we can have full access to the park again. With a few changes to the trail and the repair of Old State Road, Swatara Park will have an outstanding array of bike trails. Everyone needs to share the trails. My rating of this trail would be higher if it was not for that first mile! Traveling north you come to a short section of new trail that eliminates the need to ride on the highway. My critter count was 2 deer, 4 rabbits and a chipmunk. Part of Swatara Rail Trail closed due to storm damage. The new bridge about one third of the way upstream from the the Appalachian Trail bridge offers another option of a shorter loop. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. This section can be bypassed if you want to use busy route 72 or longer detour on Monroe Valley - Old State Roads. This section is only a few miles long.From I-78 take 501 and then take a left where it dead ends on the main street of Pine Grove. if you do decide to start there, drive toward the back of the Hotel and, before getting clear to the back, notice the buildings to your right. I had researched the trail, and read the reviews, so I was a little leery about what I would find. Remains of seven locks and three dams, as well as sections of towpaths, are visible in the state park, and you’ll spot the first ones in this gap if you cross to the Bear Hole Trail for a short distance. My suggestions: bring a light, bug spray and a friend because you will not see a soul.... Day 2 I went right to the shut down bridge today and parked there to start my journey. Swatara Water Trail Map & Guide Do you want to combine water, good food, recreation, open space, history, culture, scenic beauty, and geology into one day trip? Swatara Sojourn. I started at the Sand Siding Road parking lot and biked down to the new bridge which allows now for two ten miles circle rides on each side of the creek and then I circled north to the trail head at Swopes Valley trail head. I chose to stay on the path on the way out, and it was a very nice ride. Susquehanna Area Mountain Biking Association's Trails Map. On my visit, I didn't encounter any horseback riders, but there was a good many piles of horse poop. Won't go back on this one. near the village of Suedberg off Rt. I wanted to eliminate the 2 miles of loose hard riding. Park visitors are advised construction work may affect access to certain areas. Rideable but rough. Swatara Rail Trail: Swatara Rail Trail is ten miles in length from Lickdale Interchange (Exit 90) of I-81 to the Pine Grove Interchange (Exit 100) of I-81. Stickers will tear your arms up and path is very tight but eventually opens up to a beautiful shaded ride back. A few minutes later you on a nice gravel four foot wide trail. 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. We can back vis the Bear Hole Trail. I'm 56 and he's 53 (and in better shape) so keep that in mind. Then a couple of miles of unused asphalt highway. Ok Let me say I took two days to hit this trail one day just exploring and then another day on the Old State Road. Start/Finish will be at the Swopes Valley Trailhead on the east side of the park. 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. I only encountered five vehicles as they slowly picked their way through the suspension abusing potholes on a pleasant December Sunday afternoon in 2004. I LOVED the trails at Swatara! “Planned facility and infrastructure improvements will support and enhance day-use recreation that already includes canoeing, fishing, hiking, picnicking and bicycling.” Overall the Swatara Rail Trail is pretty nice. The previous review done in May outlines the main new features. Two of its short hills are steep enough to require my granny gear. This Trail is open to vehicles the 2nd Friday and Saturday of each month. We found that to be very true. In 1862 a flood wiped out the feeder canal, which was never rebuilt. The state park system has continued to improve the trails in Swatara State Park. The smell of Blueberries kept makin my mouth water over the next 3 miles. You can make use of two bridges that connect to the Bear Hole Trail to make a loop ride. Who knows what you will find next. A side trip here crosses the creek and turns left for a mile on the. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. Get a FREE Rail Trails Guidebook when you become a Member with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Financed through state capital budget funds, the $4.67 million project undertaken by Kinsley Construction of York County is expected to be completed by mid-July. It was right by the Swatara State Park DCNR sign. The trail grade is relatively flat, with variable surfaces: dirt, gravel, and pavement, requiring wide tires. This could be a very nice ride, with some challenging hills and some really great scenery. The road ends in a parking area. Rhododendrons become more thick but the trail is obvious. From there to the end of the trail is just scenic beauty and good riding surface, following the creek. I will start by saying I did this with a gravel bike. They would not say a word to us and rode by as fast as they could. News for Immediate Release Rode this trail on 4/18/15. Definitely worth the ride from the Waterville bridge to the Swopes Valley Trailhead. All in all it was a great, though quiet, ride both days. It’s the longest ‘new construction’ rail trail bridge I’ve seen. My wife and I did spent an afternoon walking with her parents, partly on the Swatara Rail Trail and partly on Bear Hole Trail. There are three entrances that will lead you into the less challenging mid section of the Park and its trails. Nice size and not many people there on this Saturday morning. Youker June 2, 2010. We went right and in 3/4 of a mile ended up in a campground. end the final leg is completely unimproved and for me impassable. So out of ten miles only three to five miles are worth biking. We were glad to get back to the trailhead after just 8 miles and rest our weary bodies. The trail has some beautiful scenery and there was ice on the creek. However, when I have a question about the park, I just call the office and ask them rather than assume what's going on. The Swatara Trail is a mix of rough gravel, new pavement, old pavement, crushed limestone, a little dirt, and even some grass lawns thrown in just before the end in the parking lot of a Hampton Inn. I'll avoid this next time. Mile markers or a map with trail distances would be helpful to riders. But I wouldn't drive out of my way a second time to go there. The 3,520-acre Swatara State Park consists of rolling fields and woodlands situated in the Swatara Valley, between Second and Blue Mountains. Many hoof divots on that section makes for a bumpy ride.All in all, nice ride except for the aforementioned. Most of it is crushed limestone and was fairly well groomed. Swatara Rail Trail NW is a 3 mile less popular white rail trail trail located near Lickdale Pennsylvania. Along the way there are several other paved trails for cycling and you may choose to meander at will. You may wish to pass up the opportunity to explore that two-mile section. this trail is passible for most if you take you time. Go right on the road about a half mile, and the entrance for the Bear Hole Trail is on your right. 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. ... 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. It will get better. “Long identified as ‘undeveloped,’ this gem of a state park comprised of woodlands and meadows straddling Swatara Creek is targeted for the type of improvements its visitors have requested,” said DCNR Secretary Richard Allan. To reach the southern trailhead in Lickdale from I-81, take Exit 90 toward SR 72 N/Fisher Ave., and turn left onto Fisher Ave. Continue onto Lickdale Road, crossing over SR 72, and then turn left into the parking lot by the camping sign. I was disappointed to find that the trail is maintained differently past this point. There are three miles of smooth two-lane asphalt road; five miles of old potholed one lane road that likely dates back to the early 1800s; and ten miles of rail trail. Users must know their capabilities, their travel route, and their approximate float times. Made a pit stop at the memorial marker about a mile from the trail head (picture). Did the whole 10 miles... great ride!! trails are maintained nicely & well marked. The first mile or so was a paved trail with several branch-offs of different trails (not sure if these were state park trails or what). Future plans call for the, In another 1.2 miles, the trail begins a narrow passage through the water gap through Blue Mountain created by Swatara Creek. Between those points, the Park provides a total of eighteen miles of three distinctly different types of riding surfaces. Dec 13th, 2011 - Damage from Ireane and Lee -- Trail Repaired arround Interstate Bridges. I do not recommend starting there since trail for the first mile is very large gravel, making this a very bumpy ride. 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. 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. A lot of trails that branch off the main trail. Swatara park is building new trails and doing a lot of very nice things but they should address this trail before building anymore. They also have a pool, a basketball court and a band shell that are all newly constructed. After another 2-3 miles, you'll come to what appears to be a little-used road--unmarked and going either right or left. There are several trail junctions, including one with the Appalachian Trail, along the way. The horse riders were very nice--slowing their horses to let us pass. I continued back the way I came running parallel to the Swatara Creek on the right and route 72 on the left. Brought my 7 year old 9 year old 12 year old and they enjoyed the different trail surfaces. Another bridge will span Mill Creek on the rail trail. ", 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. We also jumped over the creek at the new bridge and rode the Bear Hole trail. The 'Old State Road' on other side of creek appears closed (at Appalachin Trail) end to end because of damage. However, we rode for about two miles of horse divots (it was like riding on railroad tracks) then gave up and turned around. The trail ends at the falls. I witnessed a biker almost being kicked by a horse. I enjoyed my ride but was disappointed with the surface of the trail. The input shaped the park’s future and best utilizes its recreational potential. The 'trailhead' is simply part of a large field, nearly indiscernible from the rest of the large field. I cannot stress enough that this is not a smooth road at all, but it also has some incline to it. Since there was a threating rain cloud overhead, I turned around before I got to the end of the trail. I managed to step off the bike into the mud a number of times. The trail in this section of Pennsylvania primarily travels across flat, rocky ridges mixed with strenuous climbs in … The only problem is a most of the trails are pretty chewed up with horse tracks. Then you'll pick up a decent crushed gravel path through the very shady and pleasant woods. 14 trails with 18 photos for .5 miles to pick up the northern trail head of the Bear Hole Trail. On the south end (Lickdale) there is a new parking area and a resurfaced trail. Will definitely come back and explore the other improved trails in and around this area! Part of the Memorial Lake State Park Complex, Swatara Creek is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing enthusiasts, especially in the spring. And, though I would agree that the first two miles of the Swatara are a bit bumpy, if you have a hybrid (which I do) or a mountain bike (which my riding companion had) you'll do fine. 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. Below the Appalachian trail bridge it's a fairly coarse gravel for nearly two miles that I did not like. Lots' of fast food, gas, and hotels. Swatara Rail Trail is a 5.8 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Pine Grove, Pennsylvania that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. I then drove down to the State Park Lane trail head and biked down past the two bridges and to the new Lickdale Trail head. In reading some earlier reviews of this trail I almost didn't go, but after riding the length and back I'm very glad I took a chance. Then at the halfway point the trail allows horses. Then we biked back on the trail toward the Hampton Inn to see where the trailhead actually was. But if you're looking for a variety of trail surfaces and some hills and shade, you might enjoy this trail. And there's not much to see other than the marshes bordering the trail. The Swatara Water Trail will require portage around bridge construction. It is now cratered. Section between Appalachian Trail and Innwood bridge (closed) is closed. The north spur is mostly grass and dirt and I can see how it could become muddy if it had rained. Upon exiting the state park the trail surface is regular gravel and this makes for a bit more difficult ride. 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. Locals use both trails for a 20 mile round trip. Once back on the trail it is pretty scenic for about three miles. Shortly you come up to a new bridge across the Swatara Creek. Access to the Swatara Creek Water Trail is provided at public and private access points identified on the map. The trailhead was also just where it was supposed to be. No such luck. I never get tired of looking at the "Swatty" --Swatara creek for non- locals--. If you want to avoid this section just ride up the macadam road a piece ways there are various points you can jump back onto the trail. We had read that the bike folks do not like the horse riders. I had a good ride on the Swatara-Bear Hole Trails today with a close friend. You have to just guess and hope you are going the right direction, this was not a stretch in the official description at all. Hoof marks and horse flops became increasing evident as I went west/north, but IMHO were never more that a minor nuisance. Each trail loop is about 1.5 miles in length and twist through the woods and up and down hills. It took about 3 hours to ride out and back. I think they ran short of money because the signs say they are not finished. This is a beautiful trail with minimal traffic on a warm autumn Sunday. It is noted that the map on traillink took us to a RV camp at the very southern end of the trail. Swatara State Park Mountain Bike, Hike, Trail Running trails near Lickdale, Pennsylvania. The campground is very nice, and the store has a nice deck to eat out on and the food is good. Trail surface washed out in places down to soft uncompacted sub-surface. Media contact: Terry Brady, 717-772-9101. Although I took a brief side trip across the Bear Hole trail bridge, I didn't do any of that trail. Saw 2 six point bucks right on the trail last weekend..still in velvet--they were beautiful. 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. Front tire blew out a couple of miles from the car because of the constant hammering. 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. This is the part of the Park’s trail system that can provide some challenges. Mountain Biking Trails: Accessible from the State Park Lane trailhead, six trails are designed as mountain bike trails. Riding south to north is a gradual ascent almost the whole way. 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