Mason Dixon Trail – Map 1
Appalachian Trail at Whiskey Spring Road to Pinchot State Park
The western most section of the M-D T is on secondary roads. For 11.2 miles, hikers walk along paved roadways. Motorists seem to be accustomed to pedestrians in this area and wave as they move to the other side of the road.
My only road challenge in this section was at mile 6.3, where the M-D T crosses a very busy, 4 lane Route 15. I did not actually walk across Rt. 15. After waiting over 20 minutes for an opportunity to cross, my husband arrived in our SUV, drove southbound to find a turn around, and then finally deposited me safely on the other side of 15. I honestly do not know how pedestrians can safely cross the road, as there are not cross walks and there is almost constant traffic.
At mile 11.2, the M-D T leaves the road and joins a State Game Land trail for 2.1 miles, crosses Old York Road, and then continues in the game lands until mile 15.5.
This section was tick-infested! I rarely get ticks, but after walking through these fields, my husband, dogs and I had over 50 ticks combined! Be sure to wear pants and tons of insect repellant.
With the exception of a half mile trek along the berm of busy Old York Road, the final 2.4 miles travel on lightly trafficked back roads to Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Parking Options West to East
Terminus at Whiskey Spring Road – A few roadside parking spots near the AT entrance and a second pull-off 500′ south of the trailhead
Mile 4.2 – Local park parking lot at 1201 S Mountain Road and Water Street, Dillsburg
Mile 5.7 – Franklin Township Park
Mile 7 – State Game Lands parking lot at 146 Old Cabin Hollow Road, Dillsburg
Mile 11.1 – State Game Lands parking lot on Old Mountain Road, near the intersection of Robson Road
Mile 13.3 – State Game Lands 242 parking lot on Old York Road
Mile 15.5 – State Game Lands parking lot on Honey Road
Mile 17.9 – Small parking lot on Squire Gratz Road, on the border of Pinchot State Park (Beaver Creek Trail)
PDF maps of off-road pathways in section 1
State Game Lands – Robson to Old York Road
State Game Lands – Old York to Honey Road
