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Print Friendly MapThe Greene River Trail provides an up close tour of riverside communities whose histories are steeped in the coal industry. You can see remnants of coal mining along the trail, as well as chipmunks, woodpeckers, and deer. The 7.24-mile crushed-stone path is named for the county, Greene, and not the river it runs alongside, the Monongahela.
The trail grew out of an idea to boost interest in the old coal company towns along the river and resuscitate their economies with tourism, while giving local residents a safe place to exercise. Greene County acquired the unused rail corridor on the west shore of the Monongahela from Conrail. Founded as the Monongahela Valley Railroad in the 1860s, the line was renamed the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railway in 1870 and merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1905.
The first trail segment opened in East Millsboro in 2000, and the trail was completed through Crucible in 2008. The trail was extended 2 miles south to a trailhead with parking in Cumberland Township near Jacobs Ferry Road and Stringtown Road. Eventually, the trail could go as far south as Nemacolin on SR 21 for a total distance of 13 miles.
On the bank of the Monongahela River, the trail picks up near the Tenmile Creek at the property edge of the Greene Cove Yacht Club marina. The trail used to continue further north, but the Yacht Club has closed off the mile of trail that runs across their property. The trail's previous northern trailhead is closed and it is no longer possible to access the northern end of the trail from the surrounding area. (Access to the trail is still available in Rices Landing and Crucible.) From its new northern endpoint, the path enters the steep, wooded valley of the Monongahela River. The Mon flows north to Pittsburgh—the destination for frequent barge traffic in previous days.
Rices Landing and its foundry was important to this barge traffic. As you travel along the base of a cliff overlooking the river, look for a welded sculpture of a hiker shortly before you reach Rices Landing trailhead near milepost 2.3. For a taste of the town’s industrial past, turn left at Carmichaels Street and head toward the waterfront. The W. A. Young and Sons Foundry, built in 1900, shows the ingenuity of the founders, who could run 25 pieces of machinery off a single motor using belts and pulleys. It’s open for tours on summer Sunday afternoons.
A major impediment to completing the final 2 miles to Crucible was the abandoned Crucible Mine, closed in 1961, located next to the trail. Mine shafts had to be sealed, dilapidated buildings razed, and waste coal piles reclaimed. The trail veers away from the river in the final mile, passing the former coal company town on the right. It ends at Old Ferry Road and River Hill Road.
Parking is available at the Rices Landing Trailhead (125 Main St). There are restrooms as well and at least three accessible parking spaces. The trail passes along the edge of the medium-sized parking lot.
Road the Green River Trail today from the Southern access point to the Northern Terminus (as stated in the description there is no parking at the Northern terminus)and back for a total of 14 miles. Trail is in great shape and very well maintained. Trail was a nice mixture of wooded trail and river side overlooks. A nice feature of the trail are the info stations along the route. Don’t miss the statue north of the Northern access point. Was pleased to see working bike maintenance station at both the Southern Access Point and at the Access Point located at the 5 mile mark. Trail was dry even with the rain we have been receiving the last week.
While the trail head at the marina/Green Cove yacht club is currently closed the trail heads at Rices Landing and Jessops boathouse are currently open. Rode out from Rices Landing today and the trail is in excellent condition.
A current dispute with the Yacht Club (as of July 2020) means that you will not be able to park at the trail head.
Rode the trail with my wife and was pleasantly surprised. Nice surface with a few small ups and downs. TrailLink is wrong however on the length of the trail. It has been extended - we rode 6 miles before turning around. The Greene County website says the trail is 7.24 miles and ends at the Jessop Boat Club. Do not use their address for the Boat club however - it just points to the middle of Carmichaels, PA. As far as I can tell the southern trailhead is at the end of the Jacobs Ferry Road along the Monongahela River. I will be back to ride to the end. I will note the the trail posts on this trail are closer together than about any I've seen though.
I like a trail with some ups and downs, not all flat. You do have to get off to cross roads at several points. You will see wild life including rabbits, groundhogs, and even snakes. The trail towards the end by some foundry or plant feels a little creepy, but never had any problems. I've been on it about 10 times.
I drove down from Washington PA while the girls shopped. Very nice trail with alot to look at. Really liked the view of the river.
Just got back from the trail. Its clean and great views. Unfortunately I ride a recumbent trike that does not fit between the yellow poles. Had to turn back only one mile in.
Beautifully maintained. No info at trail head which is why I am on this site.
Easy flat and beautiful. Nice walk, or a short bike ride. Any plans to extend soon? Would love it !
My husband and I hiked the trail for the first time today...very nice peaceful trail...so glad they finally have something like this in Greene Co.
Walked it a few times and ride it a few. Not a whole lot of shade on a hot day. Does have great views of the Mon River. Awesome place to ride or walk without Going into the mountains or city. Never real congested in my experience.
This trail is quite short but great for any beginner who is ready to get on their bike and just ride for an hour.
My wife and I enjoyed riding the Greene River trial last week. The wooded section from Millsboro to Rices Landing is the nicest ride.
"Very relaxing , nice view of the Mon. River."
A very scenic trail thru the heart of coal country! Beautiful
I have lived in the area all my life and must say they did a great job making this trail. The scenic Monongahela River is a bonus.
"I rode this trail today. It was better than I expected. I parked at Pumpkin Run Park in the borough of Rice's Landing. There were restrooms available here, and I was able to change into my bicycling gear.
I rode the entire length of trail, and was very impressed with the quality of this trail. Everything was in good order, the grass was mowed, there were nice interpretive nature signs showing the various trees. I saw beautiful rock formations and several waterfalls. The river provided a nice view, and at some spots all I could hear were the birds and the river flowing without any other man-made noises.
I saw some wildlife including a turkey. There was a coal formation along the bank of the river, that was neat to walk on because it takes you right to the rivers edge. There were also some industrial ruins that were neat to look at. There were drink machines in at least 2 spots along the trail, in case you get thirsty.
After I rode about half way, I saw the reason why this trail is in such good repair; there were prisoners from the county jail doing work on the trail including grass cutting and other work. They do a very good job! At one end of the trail there is a marina, and the trail curves off of the old rr grade. If you stay on the rail line, you go through a grassy area where there is a bridge. It is fenced off, so you cannot cross it, but it provides a nice view. Also, the grassy area has a nice picnic area with a grill, and a neat stone foundation.
At the other (Rice's Landing) end of the trail, which is 3.5 miles long, the trail ends, and there is a turn-around. This end is also fenced off and you cannot go any further along the rr grade. The only bad thing about this trail is that I wished it was longer.
For a longer ride, you can go into the park at Pumpkin Run. You go through a tunnel that runs under the trail, and into a valley, where you can continue your ride. Also, in Rices Landing, there is an Ice cream Shoppe, but it was closed today. Perhaps it is seasonal.
The folks in Greene County who are in charge of this trail should be proud of themselves. It is a really nice trail.
Keep up the great work!!!"
There is an old bank building along the trial in the town of Rice's Landing. It has been converted into an ice cream parlor. This is a neat historic building that makes a nice stop for refreshments.
"This trail is great; however, everyone would like to see the distance better marked. During my family's daily walk someone always stops to ask: How do we know how far we have gone? Otherwise the trail is great, and I cannot wait to see it expanded."
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