Northern Extension of the Heritage Rail Trail
Northern Extension CLOSED under Railroad Bridge
Safety concerns about debris falling from the Blackbridge railroad bridge over the Heritage Rail Trail (HRT) have prompted a closure of the HRT in this area. The specific location of the closure is one mile north of the US Route 30 trailhead parking lot and 1.5 miles south of Emig/Mundis Mill Rd. Trail users can continue to use the trail from the Route 30 trailhead to the immediate vicinity of the railroad bridge. Trail users traveling from John Rudy County Park or Crist Field can also continue to use the trail from these locations to the immediate vicinity of the railroad bridge.
An overhead protective shield will have to be designed to isolate trail users from falling debris. The York County Rail Trail Authority and York County Parks are currently investigating viable shielding solutions to allow safe passage through this area. Before a shield can be installed, the design must be approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk Southern Railroad, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. When a specific shielding solution is identified, a timeframe for re-opening the trail at this location will be announced.
All other portions of the Heritage Rail Trail, except for this area under the railroad bridge, remain open and available for trail users. Future updates will be posted to the York County Rail Trail Authority and York County Parks social media and webpages.
Click here for a aerial map of the trail
A guide for the geologic tourist to the Northern Extension of the York County Heritage Rail Trail
The Northern Extension of the Heritage Rail Trail extends over 4 miles from John Rudy County Park to the Rt. 30 parking lot. Future plans involve connecting it to the Heritage Rail Trail County Park at the Colonial Courthouse in York, PA.
This section of trail (blacktop & stone) is open to hikers and bikers. Horses are prohibited on the Northern Extension of the Heritage Rail Trail.
The next phase (scheduled to be completed in 2016) will extend the rail trail to Colonial Court House in York. Once that is completed, there will be over 27 miles of rail trail, starting in John Rudy County Park to the Maryland line.
Once at the Maryland line, users can enjoy another 21 miles of the Torrey C. Brown Trail, which is part of the Maryland State Park System.
Parking Lots
In John Rudy County Park - Address: 400 Mundis Race Road, York PA 17406. Directions: From Rt. 30 follow North Sherman Street 2.2 miles to the next traffic light. Turn right for .1 miles. Turn left at the next light continuing on North Sherman Street. Turn left on Mundis Race Road. Turn right at the first parking entrance. Trailhead is in the stone parking lot that is straight ahead. Horses are prohibited in John Rudy County Park and on the Northern Extension of the Heritage Rail Trail.
Rt. 30 Parking lot - Directions: From Rt. 30 turn onto Loucks Mill Rd. Parking lot is 100 yards head on your right.