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Hiking at Swatara State Park

34 miles of trails

Park trails are generally flat and wide. Many small, connector trails allow hikers to create loops of various distances. Hikers can also hike the additional 9.8 miles of trails in the Mountain Biking Complex. Below are the main trails in the park.

Swatara State Park Trail Map (PDF)

Trail Definitions

Difficulty Ratings

Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.

Trail Route Type

Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.

Appalachian Trail

2.4 miles in the park | Most difficult hiking | Point-to-point trail | White blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
Trailhead amenities: benches

The Appalachian Trail runs from Main to Georgia briefly passing through Swatara State Park. After passing under the Interstate 81 bridges, it follows a section of Old State Road, passes by an old historic silver mine, a historic canal lock and then crosses the Swatara Creek via the historic Waterville Bridge.

Bear Hole Trail

4.8 miles | More difficult hiking | Point-to-point trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables, benches

Running along the southern side of Swatara Creek, Bear Hole Trail is a wide, rolling trail for hiking and biking. Horses are permitted on the eastern side of Bear Hole Trail between Swopes Valley Road and Sand Siding Trail.

The Bordner Cabin and Aycrigg's Falls area are located around the midpoint of the trail.

Mifflin Trail

0.3 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none

The trail follows the old access road to Lock 5 of the Union Canal Company's Branch Canal and the lock tender's house.

Moonshine Trail

0.8 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: benches

This trail was formerly State Route 443 and provides access from the intersection of present day State Route 443 and State Route 72 to Trout Run, the Swatara Rail Trail and the Swatara Creek.

Mountain Bike Trail

9.5 miles | Most difficult hiking | Loop trail | Trail signs
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables

There are six trails that are all single track consisting of natural features (dirt trail surfaces, roots, logs, and natural stream crossings. They are accessible form the State Park Lane parking lots. Horses are prohibited on these trails.

Pennsylvania Equine Council (PEC) Trail

3.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

This trail begins and ends on the Swatara Rail Trail. It passes through forested and agricultural land.

PEC Connector Trail

0.8 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

This trail begins and ends at the equine parking lot along State Route 443, east of Twin Grove Park. It passes through forested and agricultural lands. It provides a connection from the parking lot to the PEC Trail via the Swatara Rail Trail.

Portage Trail

0.4 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: none

The trail connects State Park Lane to Moonshine Trail and the Swatara Rail Trail.

Round About Loop

0.5 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none

Access this trail from Lickdale Trailhead parking lot. This wide, flat, gravel hiking and biking trail loops around wetland habitat adjacent to the Swatara Creek and offers an excellent opportunity to listen to spring peepers.

Sand Siding Trail

0.4 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: benches

The trail crosses over the Swatara Creek between Swatara Rail Trail and Bear Hole Trail. The trail includes the Sand Siding Bridge and is open to hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Mounting blocks are provided on either end of the Sand Siding Bridge; horseback riders are asked to dismount and lead their horses across the bridge.

State Park Lane Trail

0.5 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: benches

This trail runs southeast from the State Park Lane parking lot to the Swatara Rail Trail. The hiking and biking trail is wide, paved and steep. The trail intersects with Portage Trail and Swatara Rail Trail.

​Swatara Rail Trail

10 miles | Easiest hiking | Point-to-point trail | Trail signs
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: benches

Swatara Rail Trail is ten miles in length from the Lickdale Interchange (Exit 90) of I-81 to the Pine Grove Interchange (Exit 100) of I-81. The trail grade is relatively flat, with variable surfaces (dirt, gravel, and pavement) requiring wide tires.

Trout Run Trail

0.5 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches

This half-mile hiking and biking trail is accessible from Trout Run Trailhead and intersects with Moonshine Trail on either end. The trail is narrow and multi-surface.