835 Gault Rd. | East Earl Township
Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve offers a beautiful trail system through one the county's few remaining natural areas. The fully forested trails are perfect for the whole family. One of the highlights of the preserve is the overlook at the end of the White Trail. The overlook has an amazing vista of the Lancaster County farmland. I recommend hiking to this overlook during winter months when foliage is less likely to obstruct the view. The Lancaster Conservancy has been working hard the last few years to restore this area that was once used for off-roading activates. Because of this, some areas may be closed.
This 940-acre preserve also has several connecting trials that will take you to Money Rocks County Park. This really adds a lot of options and allow you to customize your hike.
The trials in this preserve are level and are well marked making them easy to navigate. They are completely wooded, so you will be shaded when hiking during the summer months. Throughout the year many types of plant life can be found, including wild azaleas, low-bush blueberries, wildflowers and mushrooms. Water can accumulate and freeze during the winter months, causing the trails to become icy.
This preserve is also unique in that it has a Universally- Accessible Trail with accompanying ADA parking.
Distance: 5 plus miles of trails Terrain: dirt | rocks | wooded
Difficulty: rare to medium
Activities: hiking | trail running | leashed dogs
Restrooms: No
Parking: Large Lot with ADA parking
Website: lancasterconservancy.org
ADA Pink Trail | .5 miles loop
rare | 10-20 minutes
This Universally- Accessibly trial is level and composed of crushed gravel. It takes you in a loop through the shade of the forest.
Blue Trail | 2.4 mile loop
Medium Rare | 50-90 minutes
This loop through the woods connects at some point to all of the other trails that the preserve offers. It's level and shaded.
White Overlook Trail | .2 miles point to point
Medium | 5-10 minutes
This is a trail that you don't want to miss. It veers off of the blue trail down and embankment to the edge of the preserve. There you will find a picturesque view of Lancaster County Farmland.
Red Trail | .15 mile point to point
Medium rare | 5-10 minutes
This short, simple trail connects 2 parts of the blue trail making it a shorter loop.
Yellow Trail | .35 mile point to point
Medium Rare | 7-14 minutes
This trail is a U shaped bump out from the blue trail.
Green Connector Trail | 1.1 mile point to point
Medium Rare | 20-40 minutes
This trail connects twice with the blue trail before it heads off and enters Money Rocks County Park. The trail is level and meanders through the woods. The trail ends when you intersect with the the Cockscomb Trail in Money Rocks County Park.
Orange Connector Trail | .6 mile point to point
Medium Well | 12-24 minutes
This trail meanders through the woods and crosses over the blue trail twice before it heads down a steep hill connecting with the Cockscomb Trail in Money Rocks County Park.
Directions:
From Lancaster City take PA-462 / W King St heading East
Turn Left onto PA-340 / Old Philadelphia Pike
Turn Left onto PA-897 / Springville Rd
Turn right onto Gault Rd
Preserve will be on the Left
Nearby Trails:
