Safe Harbor Climbing

Type of climbing: Sport Climbing

Location Safe Harbor North: Enola Low Grade Trail/River Road map

Location Safe Harbor South: Green Hill Road map

Land ownership and management: Conestoga Township (South) & Manor Township (North)

Current Access: Open.  Seasonal Raptor Closures effect Cemetery Wall at Safe Harbor North

SCPC Ambassadors: Seth Derr, Larry Felton, and Kyle Matulevich

Ambassador contact: seth@scpclimbers.org, larry@scpclimbers.org, and kyle@scpclimbers.org

Additional Information: Safe Harbor is an area in Lancaster County that was originally climbed in the 70’s and 80’s and is now divided into two distinctive locations:  Safe Harbor South & Safe Harbor North. Access has historically been contentious and restricted, with both townships only recently opening the crags to the public after years of closure. It is a collection of primarily single pitch sport crags known for a thin, crimpy style on slightly slabby walls, with the bulk of the routes falling in the 5.9-5.12 range.  There are a few more difficult lines as well as some traditional routes and multi-pitch sport and/or trad routes.  A comprehensive, full color, tirelessly researched, Pulitzer Prize worthy guidebook to both Safe Harbor North and South is available for purchase on this site, with a regularly updated companion app available through GunksApps.  Full approach/parking/route information can also be found on Mountain Project here.

safe harbor south

Safe Harbor South is the more popular, accessible, and concentrated climbing area, located in Conestoga Township. This area has a number of classic climbs with the bulk of climbs in the moderate range.  Classics include Hydroman (5.11a), Autumn Arch (5.10b), Wonderama (5.12a), and Blood, Sugar, Magic (5.11d). 

Safe harbor north

Safe Harbor North is located only a few miles from Safe Harbor South, but the area is more spread out and offers longer, steeper climbing for the most part. Safe Harbor North offers routes that may require longer ropes or multiple pitches. The belay area is typically more shaded and tends to be 10-15 feet off of the rail trail, with a less "kid friendly" belay ledge than offered at Safe Harbor South.