Home › Pennsylvania › Dauphin › Ellendale Trailhead for Rattling Run Trail
Ellendale Trailhead for Rattling Run Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 65 Google reviews · Running trail in Dauphin, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Ellendale Trailhead for Rattling Run Trail'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.
Outdoor area offering a steep hiking trail through a forested area, plus a railroad route open to walkers and bikers.
What runners say about Ellendale Trailhead for Rattling Run Trail
Took horses. Saw bear, rattlesnake and deer. Very peaceful. Mostly shaded except for the top. Parking area is not big enough to circle a horsetrailer if there are already there. We parked at the loop where the blacktop ends and rode in.
The trail is open once a year to the public. It is a beautiful ride on a former railroad route. Several long lost towns are on the trail. Over 1000 cars will take the 20mile ride in the one day.
Awesome place to hike. Very quiet and a lot of wildlife. Fairly steep incline and a great workout. Also saw a timber rattlesnake sitting on the side of the trail.
The trail is on a steep incline, but if you're heading to the fire tower, the view is worth the near death experience I'm sure you'll encounter on the way up.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail is on a steep incline, but if you're heading to the fire tower, the view is worth the near death experience I'm sure you'll encounter on the way up.”
“The trail is on a steep incline, but if you're heading to the fire tower, the view is worth the near death experience I'm sure you'll encounter on the way up.”
“Parking area is not big enough to circle a horsetrailer if there are already there.”
“The views are great and the gravel trail is well maintained.”
“Rattling Run Trail is great for hiking or biking, the state manages it and keeps it graded and accessible.”
Plan your run at Ellendale Trailhead for Rattling Run Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitestonyvalley.com
- Phone(717) 787-4250
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Dauphin
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 108 reviews
Forest land of hardwood trees, with 8.4 miles of trails & 780 acres open to seasonal hunting.
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 614 reviews
1,025 acres of open space with an interconnected trail system, ridgetop views & seasonal hunting.
Peters Mountain Appalachian Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 200 reviews
Scenic 4-mile, rocky trail, part of the Appalachian Trail, with overlooks of the Halifax area.
