Pennsylvania Dutch Country Visitors Center 501 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 717-299-8901 www.padutchcountry.com
Southern Amish Countryside Trail
Southeastern Lancaster County farmland, plus the towns of Strasburg and Christiana
Beginning in Strasburg, travel across the Amish countryside to explore four historic covered bridges, passing Amish one-room schoolhouses and farms along the way. Discover an area that's quiet and relaxing, twisting and turning through back roads that lead to the open landscape. Along your journey, stop in Christiana and learn about its history and role in the Underground Railroad.
Starting in Strasburg on West Main St., drive east on highway 741/Main St. for 0.4 miles.
Bear right on highway 896 and proceed for 4.5 miles.
Turn left onto White Oak Rd. and proceed for 3.4 miles.
Turn left onto highway 372 and proceed for 2.8 miles.
Town: Christiana
Town: Christiana
Turn left onto Bridge Street and continue into town. Discover the quaint, small town of Christiana, known for its role in the Underground Railroad. At the Christiana Underground Railroad Center, take a self-guided tour through the museum and learn about the Christiana Riot.
Turn right onto highway 372 East/Bridge St. and proceed for 0.3 miles.
Follow the road as it bears to the right and proceed for 0.8 miles.
Turn left when the road turns sharply to the right (there will be no road sign) and proceed for 0.2 miles.
Bear right along with the road as it curves by the bridge and proceed for 0.4 miles.
Bear to the left when the road curves again and proceed for 0.1 miles.
Covered Bridge: Built in 1880 and located just south of Christiania, Mercer's Mill Covered Bridge is one of the only two remaining bridges shared with Chester County. Interestingly, this bridge is photographed best in the spring.
Covered Bridge: Built in 1880 and located just south of Christiania, Mercer's Mill Covered Bridge is one of the only two remaining bridges shared with Chester County. Interestingly, this bridge is photographed best in the spring.
Turn around and re-trace your steps for 0.6 miles.
Upon reaching the original intersection from step #7, follow the road to the left and proceed for 3.5 miles.
Turn left onto highway 896 and proceed for 3 miles.
Turn right onto Maple Shade Rd. and proceed for 2.1 miles.
Turn left onto Rosedale Rd. and proceed for 1 mile.
Turn right onto Sproul Rd. and proceed for 1.2 miles.
Turn left onto Morrison Mill and proceed for 0.5 miles.
Turn left onto highway 472/Kirkwood Rd. and proceed for 1.5 miles.
Turn right onto Mount Eden Rd. and proceed for 0.9 miles.
At the approaching "T" intersection, turn left onto Liberty Ln., which will have no road sign, and proceed for 0.6 miles.
Turn right onto Spring Grove Rd., which eventually becomes Spruce Grove Rd., and proceed for 1.5 miles.
Turn left onto Ashville Rd. and proceed for 1.8 miles.
Covered Bridge: The Pine Grove Covered Bridge is the only double-span, double-arch bridge in use in the County, at 204 feet. Originally built in 1816, it was later rebuilt in 1846 and 1884 because it was destroyed by flood water. The bridge is jointly owned by Lancaster and Chester Counties, and officials from both counties are discussing the need for the repairs, but it remains open.
Covered Bridge: The Pine Grove Covered Bridge is the only double-span, double-arch bridge in use in the County, at 204 feet. Originally built in 1816, it was later rebuilt in 1846 and 1884 because it was destroyed by flood water. The bridge is jointly owned by Lancaster and Chester Counties, and officials from both counties are discussing the need for the repairs, but it remains open.
Turn around and proceed on Ashville Rd. for 3 miles.
Turn right onto King Pen Rd. (at the brick pillars) and proceed for 1.4 miles.
Turn right onto Academy Rd.
Covered Bridge: As the county's second oldest bridge, White Rock Forge Covered Bridge was originally built in 1847 and rebuilt in 1884. It is Lancaster County's second oldest covered bridge still open to traffic and has been washed away and rebuilt twice.
Covered Bridge: As the county's second oldest bridge, White Rock Forge Covered Bridge was originally built in 1847 and rebuilt in 1884. It is Lancaster County's second oldest covered bridge still open to traffic and has been washed away and rebuilt twice.
Proceed on Academy Rd. for 0.1 mile.
Turn left onto White Rock Rd. and proceed for 1.1 miles.
Bear right onto Nobel Rd., which does not have a road sign, and proceed for 3.8 miles.
Follow the road as it turns sharply to the right, turning into Bartville Rd., and proceed for 0.5 miles.
Turn left onto Noble Rd. again, which will be another sharp turn.
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant when the road makes another sharp turn (you'll be driving down a steep hill). Proceed for 0.9 miles.
Turn right for Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge.
Covered Bridge: Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge was built in 1878, but was destroyed by a flood in 1988. The county rebuilt the bridge and raised it an additional three feet to keep safe from future floods.
Covered Bridge: Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge was built in 1878, but was destroyed by a flood in 1988. The county rebuilt the bridge and raised it an additional three feet to keep safe from future floods.
Proceed on Mount Pleasant Rd. for 5.7 miles.
Turn right onto Iva Rd. (across from the Amish school) and proceed for 0.8 miles.
Turn left onto Peach Ln. and proceed for 0.2 miles.
Turn left onto highway 896 and proceed for 2 miles; it will bring you back to the town of Strasburg.
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Town: Strasburg
Explore this historic village by simply strolling its charming streets and shops, stopping in the Strasburg Country Store & Creamery for a tasty treat. Head east on Rt. 741 to find a variety of train attractions such as the Strasburg Rail Road and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Follow Rt. 741 west for more family fun at Village Greens Miniature Golf's picturesque, garden-filled course and on-site Snack Shoppe.
Explore this historic village by simply strolling its charming streets and shops, stopping in the Strasburg Country Store & Creamery for a tasty treat. Head east on Rt. 741 to find a variety of train attractions such as the Strasburg Rail Road and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Follow Rt. 741 west for more family fun at Village Greens Miniature Golf's picturesque, garden-filled course and on-site Snack Shoppe.
Download printer-friendly trail guide and directions. (62 KB pdf)
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