Join us as we search for the Devils Racecourse, a ruggedly picturesque, jagged boulder field hidden in the Stony Mountain region of Dauphin County
The Devils Racecourse is a wickedly rugged and impressively scenic boulder field located in the Stony Mountain Region of Dauphin County, also known as St. Anthony’s Wilderness. We began our journey at the Appalachian Trail parking lot (40.45165, -76.77613) off of Route 325 in Clark’s Valley. The narrow, striated mountains and valleys characteristic of this part of the state give a sense of remoteness and seclusion.
From the parking lot we crossed the bridge over Clark’s Creek and proceeded west along the foot of Stony Mountain to take the loop counter-clockwise. The trail was a breeze for the first 1.4 miles until it ascended up Stony Mountain at 40.43965, -76.79336 via a blue blazed trail. There is narrower trail that gives a more gradual ascent about half a mile earlier at 40.44275, -76.78554. However, the trail we took was not as steep or as rocky as expected. Upon reaching the ridge of Stony Mountain, we took the Rattling Run Trail east at 40.42786, -76.78576.
The Rattling Run Trail passes through a prescribed burn area where the flora accordingly shifts to brush and pitch pine. A depression develops in the ridge of the mountain, splitting it into Stony Mountain to the north (what we just climbed) and Sharp Mountain to the south. The trail follows the ridge of Sharp Mountain and becomes the Stagecoach Road Trail around the time it passes back into deciduous forest. Here you can see remains of shallow pit mines and other artifacts in the woods like the old tank shown above.
From the Stagecoach Road Trail there are two trails that lead to the Devils Racecourse: a yellow blazed trail at 40.44201, -76.73993 and a red blazed trail at 40.44479, -76.73512. We visited during a dry period, but there was evidence such as sphagnum moss and debris piles indicating that the trail passed by spots that are typically wet. After a few hundred feet both trails lead to the rugged boulder field. You will immediately see how aptly the Devils Racecourse is named.
Just for fun, here’s a satellite image from Google Maps showing the Devils Racecourse in the depression between Stony Mountain and Sharp Mountain.
After enjoying the Devils Racecourse we traversed gap in the mountain through which Rattling Run passes. Then we crossed the depression down from Sharp Mountain back up to the ridge of Stony Mountain to connect with the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail completes the loop back to the trailhead via a more gradual 3.2 mile descent down the mountain. The descent follows an old grade for much of the journey.
Overall the loop we took was 9.9 miles and is shown in blue on the State Game Lands 211 map excerpts below. The maps are split into a western portion and eastern portion.
Parking at the Appalachian Trail access Parking lot off of Route 325 (Clarks Valley Road) is at 40.45165, -76.77613.
The Devils Racecourse stretches from 40.44236, -76.74262 (west end) to approximately 40.44739, -76.72910 (east end).
From the Stagecoach Road Trail, the Yellow Trail to the Devils Racecourse is at 40.44201, -76.73993. The Red Trail to Devils Racecourse is at 40.44479, -76.73512.
The Devils Racecourse is located on the eastern end of the trail loop. Shown as a gray oval, it is between the Appalachian Trail and the Stagecoach Road Trail (denoted “Rattling Run Road”) in the map excerpt below. Note the short Yellow Trail and the Red Trail leading through the woods to the Devils Racecourse.
The rugged, jagged Devils Racecourse is a scenic and fun destination hidden in the Stony Mountain area between Harrisburg and Lebanon. The loop makes for a great half day hike with multiple trail options to customize your adventure. Exercise caution hopping the boulders since they are irregularly shaped and some are loose. The mountain terrain made it an invigorating hike, and the trails were well marked and maintained. The Devils Racecourse is one more reason why we love striated mountains and valleys of the St. Anthony’s Wilderness region.
You can visit these nearby adventures while you are in the area:
Need to See It to Believe It
at the Exciting Sharp Mountain
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
