By youker in May, 2011
I did this trail this month. The description and the reviews are all excellent, however if you have a shuttle like I did it is best to start at the Winslow Trail Head at the top of the hill since the opposite way is a steep path for an old RR grade. This concerns the eastern end of the trail. Bob Youker 5/22/11
By beanie100 in June, 2010
I've paddled, hiked, and biked in a lot of different states, and I still argue that the Mahoning Creek area is one of Western PA's best kept secrets. It's a shame more trails aren't being developed in this region.
The trail starts in Valier on Fordham road. There is a nice parking lot with a picnic pavilion, but no restroom facilities. It then takes you around the town of Valier. The trail is a little rough (pea gravel) for a short stretch, but quickly smooths to limestone base. My smooth bike tires had no trouble with it.
The trail closely follows the beautiful Mahoning creek, which is also a great place to canoe/kayak when the water is high enough. You will see very few houses and cross only a couple of roads on the way to Punxsutawney. The trail has a very low percentage of grade; I hardly noticed I was peddling upstream. Check out the restored coke furnaces along the way; there's an informative sign explaining when/how they were used.
When you arrive in Punxsy, it's about 7.5 miles from the Fordham trail head, and there are a lot of nice places to get a bite to eat and relax, such as the historical Pantall Hotel, although you do have to bike through the streets of town. Punxsy is a fantastic little town, famous for its weather-predicting groundhog. The people are very friendly and there is a park in the center of town.
By sharvan in July, 2009
If you enjoy Pennsylvania's woodlands, then you will love this trail. There are birds, wildflowers, and wildlife. It's easy to ride and well maintained.
The bridge to get to the parking lot is under construction at Valier, but it looks like it's almost done. You'll have to take a detour until it's finished. Take a map or ask directions like I did but the detour is marked. I recommend you take a map of Punxy. There are lots of signs through town but a couple are down and a map helps. When you get to the skate park the trail is in the far left corner.
You'll need to ride the street for a short distance in Cloe. The trail continues just past Cloe Lumber.
From Cloe to Winslow is rather steep for a railroad grade. It's worth it though because along that section is mixed hemlock forest, deep & dark & beautiful and you can coast the ride back down. Really!
The people who live next to the trail wave at you when you go by. Nice. ...and everyone says hello.
Don't forget to stop and look inside the coke ovens. They're cleaned-up and documented as a senior project. Read all about them.