Chickies Ridge

Chickies Ridge is a mountain formation running through West Hempfield Township and ending at a quartzite rock outcrop that rises about 100 feet above the Susquehanna River. The rock formations offer views across the river and into the surrounding valley below.

During the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign, Union forces used the rock formation as an observation post to monitor Confederate movements across the Susquehanna River. This made it a strategic location during the Civil War.

The name comes from the Lenape word Chiquesalunga, describing a place where Native Americans gathered abundant crayfish. This connection between the name and local resources shows how deeply the site was tied to the land's natural gifts.

The main trail to the summit follows the path of a former trolley line, starting from the Furnace Road parking area and is well-marked throughout. Plan to spend an hour or more if you want to explore the rock outcrops and enjoy the views carefully.

The site is home to Bradley's spleenwort, one of the rarest fern species in the eastern United States, which grows among the rock formations. This plant is a botanical rarity that visitors often pass by without noticing.

Location: Pennsylvania

GPS coordinates: 40.05121,-76.52497

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:54