Butler-Freeport Community Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
Built in 1871 to transport the region's high-quality limestone to support Pittsburgh's growing steel industry, the Butler-Freeport line was the first railroad in the county. After a two-day celebration of the opening, the railroad conducted a mock funeral for the stagecoach that ran between the two towns. A branch of the Western Pennsylvania Railroad, the line became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system in 1903 before closing.

The 16-mile Butler-Freeport Community Trail on the corridor, open since 1989, is nestled in the scenic wooded valley that follows Little Buffalo Creek to Buffalo Creek and on to the Allegheny River at Freeport. About an hour northeast of the City of Pittsburgh, the trail is flat and easy to ride. Heading south from Butler, you'll be on a slight incline. The trail surface changes from crushed stone to dirt to asphalt.

Remains of old stone quarries and brick kilns can be seen in the southern section of the trail. As you head north from Cabot, the results of late 1800 development are still visible. The former Saxon City Hotel, built in 1871, remains as does an old still-active lumberyard.

From April to October you can see an abundance of wildflowers, including trillium, Turk's cap lily, tall bellflower and butterfly weed. The trail is a popular recreation venue. Visitors come to enjoy bird watching and fishing, and the annual fall Buffalo Creek Half-Marathon always attracts a crowd. Before leaving Freeport, stop by the Freeport Area Historical Society office, where you'll find a wealth of information on the cultural and industrial history of the region.

The Butler-Freeport Trail Council maintains a passport-oriented historic geocache adventure, with up to 20 caches along the trail. Check their website for details.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Butler trailhead from Pittsburgh, take Route 28 North to a left onto Route 356 North. Go about 4 miles to Sarver Road. Bear right on Sarver Road and go 1 mile to Buffalo Township Fire Station, which will be on your left. Park in the upper lot at the fire station. This access area is 3 miles from the southern end and 7 miles from the northern end of the trail.

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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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Sewer work is finished, Trail is resurfaced.
By 7802mark in January, 2012
I did not see this for myself, rather, I emailed the trail organization. They say the sewer work that had some of the trail torn up last summer is complete and the trail surface has been restored to standard condition with crushed stone. I have yet to ride the northernmost part of this trail, but the part I have covered is very nice. I'm going to give it 5 stars now that the sewer work is out of the way.
Sept 8 2011 Trip Report
By flyhot in September, 2011
My wife and I parked at the Old Mill parking area. Plenty of room and felt safe enough. The trail is mostly crushed stone with some old pavement. It seems very isolated and I liked that. As you should expect, it is uphill from Freeport. We managed to get to Sarver and discovered the construction work. The trail has been repaired but after a week of tropical storm Lee, it was very soft and since it was still raining, we turned around. The trip back was easy and fun. We did have to swerve around 1 nice black snake sunning itself.

Hopefully the next time we try this trail it will be sunny and dry.
Sewer work and closed parking lot August 5, 2011
By 7802mark in August, 2011
I rode the trail from Freeport to just north of Winfield Road 8/5/2011. The parking area at the southernmost end in Freeport, under the Buffalo Street (PA128) bridge is closed due to construction. The second Freeport parking area, at Old Mill Road is open and in good condition. The trail is fine up to Winfield Road (Cabot). North of Winfield Road, there is sewer work adjacent to the trail. Heavy equipment is using the trail for access. The crushed stone surface is gone and what remains is rough dirt. There is no "Closed" sign, so one can proceed, with caution. I saw a few bike tracks. I think you need fat tires for this. I have 35mm tires and found I didn't want to continue beyond about 300 yards. After rain, this is going to be plenty muddy. The trail website mentions the work as being between Sarver and Cabot. What I saw was north of Cabot, while the Sarver - Cabot section was fine. I do not know when this work will be finished.
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