370 House Rock Rd. | Martic Township
This beautiful preserve offers several different hiking options. There is a lovely meadow hike, a more challenging loop and one of the most amazing overlooks of the Susquehanna River. There are remnants of an old homestead at the beginning of the trail and in the spring there is a portion of the trail where daffodils bloom. Originally 3 seperate preserves ( House Rock, Reed Run and Pequea South) this newly formed Lancaster Conservancy preserve has so much to offer.
Each of the hikes on this preserve have varying difficulty levels and terrains. There really is something for every skill level. The recently built parking lot has plenty of parking and a port-o-potty.
Distance: over 3 miles of trail
Terrain: dirt | rocks | grass | water | wooded
Activities: hiking | walking | trail running | leashed dogs
Parking: large lot
Restrooms: port-o-potty
Website: lancasterconservancy.org
House Rock Scenic Overlook | .75 mile out and back trail
Medium | 20-40 min
This short hike through the woods takes you to the cliff of schist known as House Rock, for which the original preserve and road is named. This beautiful overlook offers several different views of the Susquehanna River. The hike is fairly level, but you will need to climb up on the rocks to get to the overlook. It is at the overlook that you can connect with the Conestoga Trail (orange). If you follow the Conestoga Trail to the right of overlook it will take you to the Wind Cave. To the left, on the Conestoga Trail, will take you to on the Ralph Goodno Trial which loops back to the parking lot. Or you can go back the way you came.
Ralph Goodno Trial | 2.4 mile loop
Medium Well | 1-2 hrs
The trail to the House Rock Scenic Overlook is the beginning of this trail. Once you reach the overlook start following the blue and orange markers that go to the left of the overlook. This is just before mile 8 of the Conestoga Trail. There is signage telling you when you leave House Rock Preserve and when you enter Reed Run Preserve. This portion of the Conestoga Trail is narrow and can get very steep at times.
At mile 1.3 you will cross a stream (Reed Run), The Conestoga Trail continues off to the Right, you want to go Left following the Blue Markers.
The trail then starts to circle back to the beginning. When you exit the woods you will cut through the meadow that will take you to House Rock Rd. Turn left to go back to the parking lot.
Yellow Trail | .87 miles point to point
Medium | 20- 40 minutes
This trail cuts down the middle of the Ralph Goodno trail and connects with it at 3 different points. It can be rather overgrown at times because it doesn't see much traffic.
White Trail | .33 miles point to point
Medium | 10-15 min
This trail offers you and opportunity to cut the loop short, skipping over the more difficult portions of the trail.
Lloyd Clark Trail | .88 mile loop
Rare | 15-30 min
This trail starts at the end of the parking lot and loops around a beautiful meadow full of wildflowers. Nature is really abundant on this hike. There are many birds and pollinators in the meadow. I even came across a turtle on my hike. The trail is completely exposed to the sun and is simply a mowed path through the meadow. Because of this be sure to do a thorough tick check after the hike, especially on your dogs if they accompany you. This is the perfect hike if you want to connect to nature.
There are also several spurs off of this trail that connect with the Conestoga Trail. They are a nice shortcut to the Wind Cave, enabling you to avoid some of the more steep and rocky parts of the Conestoga Trail.
Soon the trail will be paved to become a Universally Accessible Trail. The trail will also offer accessible wildlife blinds for those using wheel chairs or other mobility devices.
Directions:
From Lancaster city go south on N. Prince St/PA 222
S Right onto PA 324 S/New Danville Pike
Left onto PA 324 S/ 741 E
At Cherry Hill Orchard go straight to continue on PA 324 S
Left on River Rd.
Slight Right onto House Rock Rd.
Left on West View Rd.
Right on House Rock Rd.
The road dead ends and the parking lot is at the end of the road to the Right.
Nearby Hikes:
Tucquan Glen
