Home › Pennsylvania › Elizabethtown › Bellaire Woods Nature Preserve
Bellaire Woods Nature Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 65 Google reviews · Running trail in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Bellaire Woods Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Bellaire Woods Nature Preserve
“Worth the trip and thank you to Lancaster Conservancy for protecting this beautiful place!”
Short hike but very enjoyable with lots of interesting things to see. You'll be hiking through boulders, skip on stones and walk through creeks.
What a beautiful place to enjoy an hour or so. A close-by hidden gem my boyfriend and I have been coming to train for backpacking. We like it because of the varying terrain, and there are a couple loops you can do in either direction. It's easy to get to and there is a little parking lot.
Pros: Very nice trail, great forest to wander around. Cons: short trail, not a lot of parking, lots of houses around that you can see from the trail but that's a limitation of the area of the preserve.
Great trail! Not a paved road, its a solid path with turns and uneven terrain with a few obstacles. Kids and pets enjoyed it. Highly recommended if you are in the area. Downside is the very limited parking
Trail conditions & character
“Cons: short trail, not a lot of parking, lots of houses around that you can see from the trail but that's a limitation of the area of the preserve.”
“Was not prepared for how muddy it would be.”
Plan your run at Bellaire Woods Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitelancasterconservancy.org
- Phone+1 717-392-7891
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Elizabethtown
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Old Trolley Line Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 112 reviews
Park with a baseball field, playground, trails, picnic areas and dog-walking space.
Lebanon Valley Rail Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 13 reviews
Elizabethtown Borough Community Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 409 reviews
Children's play area, with slides and a fort made of wood.
Conewago Recreation Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 357 reviews
Flat, 5-mile rail trail that borders fields and woods and traverses farmland.
