Home › Pennsylvania › Marietta › Northwest Lancaster County River Trail
Northwest Lancaster County River Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 43 Google reviews · Running trail in Marietta, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 11 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Northwest Lancaster County River 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.
Scenic paved trail featuring riverside views of the Susquehanna river. A rock tunnel, waterfalls and cliffs are also of note. Picnic tables, too.
What runners say about Northwest Lancaster County River Trail
“Marietta has the Musselman-Vesta Iron Furnace Center at the edge of the trail and beautiful historic buildings along the road that connects up to the trail.”
The trail is a great place for bike riding, walking, or taking the kids for a stroll. The trail follows the railroad and in some parts is an old railroad (steady grade), in other parts of the trail it is windy and small hills with rollers. It is paved for the most part.
This trail is a great 11 mile multi-use trail that runs from Columbia to Bainbridge. This trail begins in Columbia Crossing River Trails Center where there is visitor information, exhibits and restrooms.
Wow !! Very nice Trail. Paved, with Porta Potties, Mostly Flat. Smooth Enough for Skates. V. G.
Beautiful place to go to in the summer and fall months. Fall foliage along the river is gorgeous. Overall, the trails are biking, walking, running and dog friendly. Easy flat paved path with a few benches available to rest. Parking lot is right next to picnic, playground and porta potty.
Trail conditions & character
“Marietta has the Musselman-Vesta Iron Furnace Center at the edge of the trail and beautiful historic buildings along the road that connects up to the trail.”
“Exiting this parking lot you have to cross the road twice in a very short distance without any safety aids, the trail desperately needs to improve the first half mile for safety.”
“Most of the trail is paved with trail markers every half mile and benches scattered about.”
“This trail begins in Columbia Crossing River Trails Center where there is visitor information, exhibits and restrooms.”
“Easy flat paved path with a few benches available to rest.”
“The Northwest Lancaster River Trail is a great Trail it's about 11 miles long so if you round trip it's 22 MI.”
“Most of the trail is paved with trail markers every half mile and benches scattered about.”
Plan your run at Northwest Lancaster County River Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance11 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitevisitpadutchcountry.com
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 Marietta
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
White Cliffs of Conoy
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Northwest River Trail Marietta
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Rocky Ridge Park
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Northwest River Trail
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Heritage Rail Trail County Park Trailhead
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John Rudy County Park
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Familiar dog park with separate areas for big & little dogs, plus a playground, trails & a creek.