Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails
Iron Ore was once very prevalent in Cornwall, Pennsylvania. A young man who immigrated from Ireland as a teen worked himself up to having a furnace and then purchased the Cornwall Furnace starting a family legacy. In the 1700s Cornwall was discovered to have three sites of iron ore, the largest deposits this side of the Mississippi River. The original mining method was pit mining, above the surface with a pickaxe and donkey carts to transport the ore to Cornwall Furnace.
Signage about the Cornwall Villages along the Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails
In the 1800s came a demand for iron, cast iron cooking pans, cannons and more. At the same time came the railroad. Both the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad and the Cornwall Railroad were established in the late 1800s for the express purpose of transporting iron ore and other byproducts to the various iron furnaces and processing mills.
After 236 years of mining, mining ceased in 1973 in Cornwall, Pennsylvania. The railroad continued to run. In 1968 Reading Railroad purchased the Cornwall Branch. After Reading Railroad filed for bankruptcy in 1976, Conrail took over. There is a segment used in the city of Lebanon today by Norfolk Southern. But a nice piece of the railroad has been repurposed.
Thus enters the Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails. In the mid 90s Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails non-profit group was formed and has been working to improve this outdoor space ever since. The end goal is one complete trail that is 25 miles long. To date, 20 miles have been completed.
Map of Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails
Gary and I traversed the trail on our bikes over the course of three Fridays and two months. July got HOT in Pennsylvania and riding was not an option on the heat advisory, triple digit days.
Our first trip out was quite convenient as the Jonestown trail head is just up the road from where we are staying. We parked in Jonestown and headed north.
View of the Swatara Creek from the Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails
We went as far north as we could go. We even adventured on a section that is under construction, no workers or equipment were present. We then rode south as far as we could go. We had packed a lunch but we were done by 10:00 a.m.
Another Friday we put in at the 8th Street entrance in the city of Lebanon. We rode south to Alden Place Trailhead because we had ridden far and Gary was done. When we returned to 8th Street we continued north through the city of Lebanon to 422 where the trail begins. Jonestown to Lebanon is a section that has yet to be completed although it is scheduled to be completed 2027.
Finally on a Friday in late July, we found our way back to Alden Place….which in itself was a task!!! This might not be your best choice for a trail head. 😊
Once on the trail we rode one mile, uphill, not straight up hill, just up hill gradually for over a mile. I am not even kidding.
We ended at the Lancaster/Lebanon County border where LVRT ends and the Conewago Trail begins. We found a bench and had some lunch and headed back to the vehicle. The plan had been to take the Mt. Gretna spur to the Jigger Shop. Cycling days are always better with ice cream. HOWEVER, the spur was not long and ended at Highway 117 which was hilly, curvy and busy. Not happening for Gary, not even for ice cream! We went back up the spur and continued our way back to Alden Place.
We rode a total of close to 18 miles this day and Gary was not thrilled when we finished. I am happy to report that he has gotten back on the bike…but for the grandkids! Not sure that would have happened if I had asked. 😊
Just so you know, we did DRIVE to ice cream the evening of the long bike ride. I do keep my promises. ♥
All in all, despite the lack of continuity and completion, this is a lovely trail. It is quite different from our island rides on the barrier islands of St. Simons and Jekyll Island in Georgia. Or Amelia Island in Florida. It is also different from the RiverWalk in Columbus, GA. The beauty of Pennsylvania is diverse. We rode past rock faces, over creeks on old railroad bridges, through forests and beside corn fields. A lot of the trail is shaded but I would still exercise caution on hot days.
There are frequent benches so pack in what you need. Know that there might be one port a john along the trail so when nature calls, nature it is!
Just yesterday we dropped onto the trail at the famous Cornwall Root Beer barrel (which is said to be open on weekends to sell root beer?). This is a perfect place, if you travel north, for children. Waylon is 5 and only recently learned to ride a two-wheeler and he rode a total of four miles yesterday! So, if you have a bicycle, get out and ride it! Try out the Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails for some good family fun.
The Root Beer Barrell at the Cornwall Trailhead, Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails
TC has a video to show you all about it!