Lycoming Creek Bikeway:
Pennsylvania
Trail Map
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Description:
In a pretty valley between the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain, the Lycoming Creek Bikeway is a fitting hometown asset. Tourists are not flocking to it, but the local folks have embraced it for their walks, morning run, ride with the grandkids or an off-road route to one of several ballparks located just off the trail. The bikeway moves quite effortlessly from the rural hamlet of Hepburnville south through the suburb of Garden View, and then arriving in Williamsport. A town of 30,000, the latter is recognized as a timber capital but made famous as the home of Little League in 1939, and later for hosting the Little League World Series.
Native Americans used this pathway, which they called the Lagahani Trail, as part of a major transportation route between central Pennsylvania and the towns of Corning and Elmira, New York. Later Penn Central built a rail line on the corridor. In 1991 five area municipalities came together to develop the rail-trail. Today its past is reflected in the straight course it takes, passing smoothly over the winding Lycoming River several times using old railroad bridges&$151including a 1901-vintage steel beauty at mile 1.7.
The northern end of the trail starts in trees at a community park on Bair Road in Hepburnville and quickly opens up to farmlands with fields of corn and grasses and foraging rabbits. Most of the rest of the way is in open space where you can see the wide valley walls on both sides and ahead in the distance. Baseball fields are plentiful and include the Carl E. Stotz Memorial Park, featuring a memorial to the Little League founder, and the Historic Bowman Baseball Park, the oldest minor league baseball stadium in Pennsylvania. Parking is available at the parks when a game is not in progress.
The trail runs beside Heshbon Park, with sports fields and playground equipment (mile 1.8), which has parking. At mile 3.7, the trail takes a slight jog and parallels US 15 for a short distance before dipping under it. This segment of the bike path ends at Memorial Drive, but you can catch the trail again by taking a left on Memorial Drive, going over the bridge and turning right to the trail. At mile 4.75 the trail comes to a bridge over Lycoming Creek. Cross the bridge, turn right and come around on the far side of the river to pick up the trail again. It is up on a levee here, overlooking the river.
Another old railroad bridge across the creek graces the southern end of the bikeway at West 3rd Street in Williamsport, not far from US 15. It is open for traffic, though the trail does not officially cross the bridge here. If you want to continue from here, do so on-road.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the northern trailhead in Hepburnville, take US 15 North from Williamsport toward Mansfield. Take the exit for Beautys Run Road (State Route 29) going east (right) and turn left on Lycoming Creek Road, or 973. Turn left at Bair Drive, which leads into the Bair Community Park. Park in the lot on the left. The trail is past the parking at the end of the road.
To reach the Heshbon Park trailhead, about 1.5 miles south of Bair Community Park, take US 15 North from Williamsport toward Mansfield. Take the exit for Beautys Run Road (State Route 29) and go right. At Lycoming Creek Road, turn right and go about 0.5 mile. Just after crossing the river, turn right on Log Run Road, which becomes Heshbon Road. In 0.4 mile, take a left into Heshbon Park.
To reach the Bowman Baseball Park trailhead from Interstate 180, take Exit 28 and turn right on Maynard Street. Turn left at West 4th Street (PA 2014) and continue about 8 blocks to the baseball park. Parking is also available at Historic Bowman Baseball Park.
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