The Turkey Hill Trail begins at the Manor Township trailhead of the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail and quickly climbs and traverses along a ridge above the Susquehanna River. Scenic vistas abound, especially during winter months, but two scenic overlooks bookend the trail at its northern (with a spectacular view of the Conejohela Flats, a renowned stop-over for migratory waterfowl) and southern-most extensions. Phase I of the trail was complete in 1990 with several extensions in years to follow and finally culminating in its present-day length as the ‘wild’ hiking trail running parallel to the Manor Township’s section of the multi-modal Enola Low Grade Trail. The trail is on a long-term easement to the Conservancy granted by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) and Norfolk Southern Railroad. The Lancaster Conservancy is the primary manager of the trail outside of LCSWMA’s Chestnut Grove Natural Area.
Planning Your Hike
Strenuous. Beginning at the Turkey Hill Nature Preserve, the Turkey Hill Trail is 3.7 miles in length with the option to return 2.5 miles by hiking the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail north back to the Preserve. Half-way through the trail is a crossing of Mann’s Run that requires the hiker to get their feet wet which provides a picturesque waterfall best viewed from below on the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail.
Ecology and Management
Turkey Hill Nature Preserve and the Turkey Hill Trail are managed for their passive recreation as being of highest and best use.
Turkey Hill is renowned for its extensive understory groves of pawpaw trees which produce the United States’ largest native tree fruit. The Conservancy manages the groves by removing invasive-plant species, especially aggressive vines that, if unchecked, would top the pawpaw trees and reduce their fruit production.
Watershed
Wissler Run (bordering the Preserve) and Mann’s Run (crossed by the Turkey Hill Trail) are both direct tributaries of the Susquehanna River.
Hunting Information
Turkey Hill Nature Preserve is open to Archery-Only; all other lands along the Turkey Hill Trail are private. Respect property boundaries and safety zones. All Pennsylvania Game Commission Rules and Regulations apply. See ‘Where to Hunt’ for more details.
Report Hunting Violations: PA Game Commission Centralized Dispatch Center at 1-833-PGC-HUNT (1-833-742-4868) or 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453)
Acquisition History
The Conservancy acquired this land in 2006 with funding from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Natural Lands Preservation Fund of Lancaster County.
Amenities
Ample parking (parking is shared with the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail). Preserve sign. Kiosk. Trails.