There’s nothing quite like riding bike on one of the hottest days of the year, and this trail from West Virginia’s northern panhandle into Pennsylvania is a great spot to do it. In 93-degree heat and sweltering humidity we popped lots of cold water into our bottle cages near Weirton, W.Va., and started pedaling east.
The trailhead couldn’t be easier to find – just off the Harmon Creek exit of Route 22 and you’re right there. It’s literally under the highway. There’s LOTS of parking, but no restroom. You’ll find a portable toilet about a mile along the trail.

The first two or so miles are smooth and the trail is lined with markers that click off each quarter mile. But around mile three, as we crossed a big double-wide rail bridge, the trail became progressively rougher. Packed gravel gave way to large stones and the mile markers disappeared. Even so, it was a gorgeous ride along (what I’m guessing is) Harmon Creek and through heavy woods. Even in the heat we saw bunnies, chipmunks and even a curious deer, who popped out of the tall grass after we passed by.

Around mile five we came upon a fairly new tent right at trailside that was slashed and abandoned. We created stories about what happened there, one more fantastical than the next, but in the end were really curious about the scene.

Oh, and there’s something oddly fun about riding across that invisible state line. The spot is nicely noted by an old white rail marker

With only part of a day to ride and water running low, we turned around at the eight-mile mark and headed back to the trailhead. As this direction was ever-to-slightly downhill we got back in good time with a not-as-hot breeze in our faces.

Two thumbs up for trail. We’ll be back in cooler climes to tackle a much longer ride.

Rode the panhandle trial from McDonald to Burgettstown and wanted to give an updated review of what I discovered:

- Trial consists of crushed stone very similar to Montour trial. This results in a very rideable surface. There was no large stones or rough sections on this portion of the trial.

- Area was very much away from it all. Although you pass through small towns, area was very rural with a lot of wildlife. I saw deer and other small game throughout the trip.

- Pennsys restaurant is now closed in Burgettstown. However, according to a local, there is new restaurant opening soon on the trial across from Pennsys.

-Overall, the experience was great and I can't wait to ride other sections of the Panhandle Trial.

I use this trail for biking, running or walking. Not many intersections so cross traffic is no issue. Try it, you'll like it.

wow wee what can i say i rode this trail round trip starting in wv( fantastic ) left me wanting more
it was a littly ruff in some places but it was a great ride and i will ride again next time im in the area great scenery i saw Deere rabbits ground hogs and turkey and other critters my round trip time was 5 hours and 20 min not pushing to hard it was a fantastic ride and i recommend to every cant wait to do it again
enjoy

We road the entire length from West Virginia to Walker's Mill and back Labor Day weekend. A very pretty trail but not many facilities on the western part. No water available on the western end so make sure you have a full bottle. The beginning 6 miles or so are very rough with big loose stones so you have to watch where you are going and even then you will hit the rocks. We have hybrids so it kept us busy trying not to get a flat.

Hunner's Deli in Sturgeon is yummy.

The trail now connects through Burgettstown. I rode the entire length recently while traveling from Pittsburgh to Columbus. (Actually, it was one leg of a cross-country trip: http://www.john.stechschulte.net .)

"This trail is 29 miles from Walkers Mill (Near Carnegie), PA to 1 mile short of Weirton, W.V. I have bicycled the entire length of this trail, and for the most part it can be divided into three sections. Section one runs from Walker Mill to the Village of Primrose. This section is complete for almost 9 miles (8.8 to be exact). This is a very nice section that has lots of interesting things to see, along with many amenities. Some of the highlights are . . .

Mile 0 - Walkers Mill - This is a nice little park that is next to a quarry pond. There are lots of benches and pavilion shelters between here and the first quarter of a mile. There is even a windmill along this section of trail that when spinning provides oxygen to the fish in the pond.
Mile 5.75 - Sturgeon - Permanent restrooms and Hunner's Deli, good place to get lunch (Pizza, Hoagies and more) or a Powerade (Closed on Sunday).
Mile 7.25 - McDonald Trail Station, open on weekends, has historical items on display and free trail maps!!
Mile 8.21 - McDonald Trestle. This is where the Montour Trail intersects with the Panhandle. It is fairly easy to get from one trail to another, but will be better once the connector trail, including the ""Rob Run Bridge"" is finished (which is currently under construction, and soon to be finished). The trestle is one of the highlights of the Montour Trail, and you ride right under it on the Panhandle Trail.

Section two, which runs from Primrose to Burgettstown (a distance of 8.2 miles) is not yet completed, and has a very rough trail surface and is not at all enjoyable except for the bicyclist who enjoys really rough terrain, and wet terrain, because in one section the trail is always covered with water from mine drainage (just after Primrose). The surface is mostly railroad ballast made of large rocks,and it gets worse the farther you go, especially after Bulger. Although there are a few things to see on this section of trail, mostly it is not that interesting, and it really hurts the body to ride 8 miles on big, hard rocks. Ride this section at your own risk. Some things you will see on this section are . . .

Mile 10.5 - Midway - Small town with a convenience store and an air pump (Sorry no Presta Valves), (Which you might need, since this trail is so rough).
Mile 11 - Radio controlled airplane club - sometimes they are flying over the trail. Landing strip not far from the trail, look for the windsock.
Mile 13.5 - Bulger - Small village with an interesting veterans memorial and two artillery cannons. Nice place to stop and rest.
Mile 17 - Burgettstown - Small town with a Restaurant (The Pennsy, claiming to have the best breakfast in town) and Convenience Store right next to the trail.

Section three runs from Burgettstown to Weirton, and has a pretty decent trail surface for most of the way. Mileage from Burgettstown to the trail end is about 12 miles (12.44 exactly). This interstate section of the trail enables you to bike from Pennsylvania to West Virginia and has a really nice picnic area at the state line (mile 24.67) with an old train marker from the P.C.C.&St.L.R.R.

Highlights are . . .

Mile 25.22 - Colliers, WV - There is parking and a little picnic area here.
Mile 26.88 - Pond and Wetlands - Look for the beaver lodge.
Mile - 28.49 - Harmon Creek - This is the main trailhead for the Weirton side of the trail. From here they have mile markers that run almost every quarter mile all the way to mile 4 (From our side Mile 24.38). They also have lots of benches and an interesting use of an old signal bridge to hang the ""Panhandle Trail"" sign on.

Mile 29.44 - Dead End - This is the end of the trail. There is a huge pile of gravel and on the opposite side of the pile are train tracks. There is a picnic table here.

Overall, this trail is really good on the two ends, and when the middle section gets completed, this trail will be an excellent opportunity for recreation and adventure between Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Let's hope the construction for the middle section get underway soon, but in the mean time, be sure to take advantage of this trail's opportunities on either end, and for you hardcore people, get out on the middle section too!

Updated October 12, 2005 - Troy Bogdan"

"This trail is 29 miles from Walkers Mill (Near Carnegie), PA to 1 mile short of Weirton, W.V. I have bicycled the entire length of this trail, and for the most part it can be divided into three sections. Section one runs from Walker Mill to the Village of Primrose. This section is complete for almost 9 miles (8.8 to be exact). This is a very nice section that has lots of interesting things to see, along with many amenities. Some of the highlights are . . .

Mile 0 - Walkers Mill - This is a nice little park that is next to a quarry pond. There are lots of benches and pavilion shelters between here and the first quarter of a mile. There is even a windmill along this section of trail that when spinning provides oxygen to the fish in the pond.
Mile 5.75 - Sturgeon - Permanent restrooms and Hunner's Deli, good place to get lunch or a Powerade (Closed on Sunday).
Mile 7.25 - McDonald Trail Station, open on weekends, has historical items on display and free trail maps
Mile 8.21 - McDonald Trestle. This is where the Montour Trail intersects with the Panhandle. It is fairly easy to get from one trail to another, but will be better once the connector is finished (which is under construction). The trestle is one of the highlights of the Montour Trail, and you ride right under it on the Panhandle Trail.

Section two, which runs from Primrose to Burgettstown (a distance of 8.2 miles) is not yet completed, and has a very rough trail surface and is not at all enjoyable except for the bicyclist who enjoys really rough terrain. The surface is mostly railroad ballast made of large rocks. Although there are a few things to see on this section of trail, mostly it is not that interesting, and it really hurts the body to ride 8 miles on big, hard rocks. Ride this section at your own risk. Some things you will see on this section are . . .

Mile 10.5 - Midway - Small town with a convienience store and an air pump (Which you might need, since this trail is so rough).
Mile 11 - Radio controlled airplane club - sometimes they are flying over the trail. Landing strip not far from the trail, look for a windsock.
Mile 13.5 - Bulger - Small village with an interesting veterans memorial and two artillery cannons. Nice place to stop and rest.
Mile 17 - Burgettstown - Small town with a Restaurant (The Pennsy) and Convienience Store right next to the trail.

Section three runs from Burgettstown to Weirton, and has a pretty decent trail surface for most of the way. Mileage from Burgettstown to the trail end is about 12 miles (12.44 exactly). This interstate section of the trail enables you to bike from Pennsylvania to West Virginia and has a really nice picnic area at the state line (mile 24.67) with an old train marker from the P.C.C.&St.L.R.R. Highlights are . . .

Mile 25.22 - Colliers, WV - There is parking and a little picnic area here.
Mile - 28.49 - Harmon Creek - This is the main trailhead for the Weirton side of the trail. From here they have mile markers that run almost every quarter mile all the way to mile 4 (From our side Mile 24.38). They also have lots of benches and an interesting use of an old signal bridge to hang the ""Panhandle Trail"" sign on.
Mile 29.44 - Dead End - This is the real end of the trail. There is a huge pile of gravel and on the other side are train tracks. There is a picnic table here.

Overall, this trail is really good on the two ends, and when the middle section gets completed, this trail will be an excellent opportunity for recreation and adventure between Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Let's hope the construction for the middle section get underway soon, but in the mean time, be sure to take advantage of this trail's opportunites on either end, and for you hardcore people, get out on the middle section too!

October 2005 - Troy Bogdan"

I was riding on the northern panhandle trail and rode 3 miles of the new section from the West Virgina state line into Washington county. It was just great. Good job on the surface grading.