Description

Located in Lancaster County within the greater Chickies Rock County Park, the Clayton B. Shenk Trail offers 1.44 miles of rugged dirt trail surrounded by trees, popular for hiking and mountain biking. There are several ways to explore the trail with features including a cliff top overlook, historic barn, flora, and farm fields. 

At the parking pull-off from Old Chickies Hill Road, you can choose a path to the left or the right.  

The left trail brings you to a steep embankment, where you can make another left or right turn. Turning right will lead you up a short, but steep incline to the clifftop. Turning left will lead you downhill into the valley. On the valley route, you will encounter another embankment followed by a stream crossing. After passing through the stream, continue to the end of the woods, where you will see a historic barn surrounded by farm fields. Pass around the barn and loop back into the woods you originally entered from, which will take you back to the start of the trail. 

The alternative route from the parking area to the right is shorter but offers another perspective. This trail starts off fairly level and brings you to the base of the rocky cliff mentioned earlier. From here, the path will bring you down a steep hill, which leads to a dead-end in the trail. It’s a fun little jaunt down and back, especially for mountain bikes. 

Parking and Trail Access

Coming from US-30 East, follow US-3p to Linden St in Columbia. Take the exit toward PA-441/Columbia/Marietta from US-30 E. For 1 mile, take Old Chickies Hill Road in West Hempfield Township, where you will arrive at Clayton B. Shenk Trail.   

Coming from US-30 West, follow US-30 W to PA-441 N in Columbia. Take the exit towards Marietta from US-30 W. Continue onto PA-441 N, and for 1 mile, continue to Old Chickies Hill Road in West Hempfield Township.