Gettysburg to Hanover Trail Feasibility Study
The trail will connect Gettysburg in Adams County with Hanover in York County. Passing by rolling farmland, the trail will provide access to Adams County and its rich historic resources and landscape. The trail will connect with the York-to- Hanover Trolley Trail and is envisioned as a link in the Grand History Loop Trail. This proposed network of trails will lead south to Frederick, MD and connect to Washington DC via the C&O Canal Trail, then follow the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Recreational Trail to Baltimore, follow the NCR Trail and York’s Heritage Rail Trail to York, and then loop back to Gettysburg.
Who Will Benefit from the Trail?
Since the trail will link towns and villages, parks and commercial centers, local residents will be able to use the trail for travel to and between these facilities. Similar trails have proven to be useful transportation routes for residents who want to walk or bicycle.
Many people will use the trail for recreation, whether walking with friends and family members, riding a bicycle, riding a horse, or cross-country skiing. This trail will bring economic benefits to businesses near the trail since the trail will eventually become part of the Grand History Loop Trail and will likely see a great deal of use from tourists outside the local area.
Summary of Study Findings and Recommedations
A northern, middle, and southern corridor were described as possibilities and are highlighted on the adjacent map using a light brown color. The northern and middle corridor share part of a route and the northern and southern corridors offer several alternatives for a total of six possible corridors.
The southern corridor was recommended for a variety of reasons. First, with cooperation from a small group of landowners, the first phase of the trail construction could connect Hanover and Littlestown. This would allow trail use between two population centers in a minimum amount of time. This in turn would allow the public to experience the benefits of the trail early in the project.
As part of Phase I development, “Share the Road” and directional signs would guide bicyclists along existing roads to complete the connection to Gettysburg. During Phase II the off-road trail would be extended west of Littlestown and an off-road trail would lead from the Gettysburg Battlefield east toward Littlestown. During Phase III, the middle section of the off-road trail would connect the two existing trails.
The southern corridor is also recommended because it ties together the most existing public facilities and presents the best opportunity for a future connection with Emmitsburg, MD as part of the Grand History Loop Trail. This corridor might also make it possible to pass under Route 15 along Rock Creek.
Building the trail will require cooperation of approximately 141 private landowners, several municipalities and public entities to solve the issues that may arise. Other trail developments in Pennsylvania have faced similar circumstances and succeeded over time. Look for a full copy of the study on www.HABPI.org.
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