198 Deer Rd. | West Cocalico Township
Texter Mountain is the highest point in Lancaster County at 1,180 feet above sea level. This hike doesn't take you to that spot on the mountain (it's on private property), but it gets you pretty darn close. It's a nice little hike with lots of birds and plenty of mossy rocks and tree stumps.
The hike is mostly wooded, skirting along a meadow at the beginning of the hike. Once you reach the loop you have a choice to go right or left. Going right will give you an easier hike, with less hills to climb. The majority of the trail is wide and rocky, but there is a section by the second creek crossing that is narrow and steep. You will cross Harnish Run twice. The water is pretty shallow and easy to cross. The first crossing is particularly beautiful with the water cascading over the rocks.
Distance: 2 mile semi-loop trail
Terrain: dirt | rocks | water | wooded | grass
Difficulty: medium
Activities: hiking | trail running | leashed dogs
Parking: small parking lot
Restrooms: no
Website: lancasterconservancy.org
Directions:
From Lancaster take US-222 N towards Ephrata/ Reading
Take exit towards I-76/PA-272/Pa Turnpike/Denver
Left at exit onto Colonel Howard Blvd.
Right onto PA-272 N/N Reading Rd
Left onto PA-897 N/W Swartzville Rd
Slight Right onto Texter Mountain Rd
Right onto Deer Rd.
Preserve is on the Right
Nearby Hikes:
