D&H Rail Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
As the trail is comprised of cinder, original ballast, and hard-packed dirt, a hybrid or mountain bike is needed to comfortably ride this intermittently rugged trail. There are a few short sections with large chunks of ballast and steep inclines where you may need to walk your bike.
The trail parallels the Lackawanna River for several miles. Some areas of the trail are tree-lined, but some are out in the open, so be sure to wear sunscreen. From Simpson to Ararat, you'll be constantly pedaling because of the slight incline in the trail. But from Ararat to Stevens Point you'll have a much easier ride as the trail's grade is at a slight decline.
As of July 2008, the completed portion of the trail ends at Burdock Hill in the town of Stevens Point. In the future, the trail is expected to continue past the New York state border.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the trail from Simpson, take I-81 to exit 185, then Route 6 to Carbondale. After the town of Carbondale, turn left onto Route 171. Continue one mile, park on the right side of the viaduct, next to the military tank. Follow the O&W Trail for two miles, where it accesses the D&H to the west.

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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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D&H Rail Trail
By rcjkblack on August 31, 2010
First of all, I could not find the southern trail head initially in Carbondale. When I did find it, I was unpleasantly surprised. I began riding north and almost immediately found large rocks protruding from the trail surface. Other areas had a large amount of fine cinders (no crushed limestone that I saw here!), so large in fact that it became like trying to pedal through loose sand. On this part of the trail I was going uphill and could average only slightly under 10 mph due to the rocks and cinder sand. I rode up the trail only 3/4 miles and turned around.

On the return I began to pick up speed due to the downslope. However, it was dangerous to get too much speed due both to the protruding rocks and the cinder sand. Both of those factors made it more difficult to control my bike, not to mention the real possibility of ruining a tire and/or rim on those rocks.

There may be nice scenery along this trail. Unfortunately I never will see it because I would not waste my time going to it again. By the way, I'm here in NE PA visiting, but I live in SW PA. The trails that make up the Great Allegheny Passage are BY FAR better than this one. THE D&H TRAIL IS BY FAR THE WORST TRAIL I'VE EVER RIDDEN. Whoever is in charge of taking care of it should be embarrassed by its condition.
More info
By dhoerl on August 30, 2010
Well, it seems that the photo numbering I spent so much time on was lost in the upload. Sigh. Sorry, guess for now you just have to figure it out (email to r2t already sent).

I did get this from the people who support this trail:

1. the D&H extends south of the crossroads --one mile which we do not own, and has 3 unimproved RR bridges. The next mile we own, then an unknown small section into where the D&H Carbondale yards/roundhouse was. We are partnering with LHVA to figure out these sections & link up to Carbondale.

2. There are another 6+ miles north of Stevens Point. Go across the SR bridge & get back on the trail. Goes under the awesome Starrucca Viaduct to NY border (along Susquehanna River). Another group bought the NY D&H to Ninevah --will hopefully work with them for an interstate trail. We also own one mile spur that takes you up to the active rail at the Starrucca Viaduct.
More info
By dhoerl on August 30, 2010
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