Susquehanna Warrior Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
This Susquehanna Warrior Trail is nestled in the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley, lush with green meadows and surrounding mountain peaks. Eventually the trail will cover 18.5 miles, but now it totals about 10 miles in loosely connected sections. Most of the trail currently runs from north of Berwick to north of Hunlock between US Route 11 and the Susquehanna River on the corridor of the old Delaware, Lehigh and Western railroad beds.

Start at the southern endpoint north of Berwick at the Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL) River-lands Park. A nice destination unto itself, the park has picnic tables, playgrounds, a small lake for fishing and a crushed stone loop path to enjoy.

From the parking lot, the trail heads north and runs adjacent to the active railroad tracks with a slight grade separation. You pass through quiet, pretty woods for approximately 1.5 miles before the trail abruptly ends at the entrance to a privately owned junkyard. You can't miss this endpoint—the trail is blocked by two junkyard cars. Bear left and head out to Route 11 for a brief 0.25-mile ride to the parking lot entrance of the junkyard. From here the trail continues north alongside US 11.

As you approach Shickshinny, the trail ends at the bridge crossing. Shickshinny is the best spot along the route to stop for something to eat. To pick up the trail again, follow US 11, pass the bridge and go approximately one-eighth of a mile before turning right onto East Butler Street. Follow it a short distance down to South Susquehanna Street, where the trail resumes. You'll find yourself closer to the river again for a 3-mile stretch. The trail gradually gets closer to US 11 as it travels north, eventually stopping at a guardrail on US 11.

Travel north on US 11 approximately 1 mile to find the next trail segment at a firing range. Portions of this final segment are right next to US 11, but other sections veer off closer to the river and into green space where you see another pretty bridge as well as another junkyard. The trail ends at the Garden Drive-In, one of the country's few remaining drive-in movie theaters. If you time your visit right, take in a show at the end of your ride or walk.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the southern trailhead north of Berwick, take State Route 239 North into Shickshinny and turn left onto US Route 11 South. Follow US 11 South approximately 3.5 miles to the Pennsylvania Power and Light Riverlands Park entrance on the left. Ample parking is available.

To reach the northern trailhead in Hunlock Creek, take SR 239 North into Shickshinny and turn right onto US 11 North. Follow it approximately 8 miles to the Garden Drive-In. Turn right at the drive-in. Look for signs for the trail and a trail parking lot on your immediate right.

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Reviews: [4 trail ratings]
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Full Warrior Trail Ride
By bevo311evolver in May, 2011
Rode the entire 22 miles of the Warrior Trail a few weeks ago with some friends. Now that I have seen the entire trail, I can say that it continues to grow on me with what it has to offer. Truly, the only negative to this trail is the proximity to the road in many locations and the confusion when going through Spencer's Junkyard. I will say this, the reward of getting to the PP&L Riverlands is well worth the ride. Such a beautiful area (and it even has a 1.6 mile trail of its own). It's a great ride when you want to take a nice easy ride with some friends and enjoy biking!
great trail
By barefootkat in May, 2010
I first learned of this trail when I ran a 5k on part of it to help raise funds for it. Today my husband and I walked with our double jogger from the Garden Drive In down. It is beautiful and there are so many interesting things to see. The train station, cemetary, the river. There were tons of beautiful wildflowers, we saw some rabbits and even a bat.
Warrior Trail Ride - April 2010
By bevo311evolver in April, 2010
For those that are wanting to try this trail, it is a nice little hidden gem. I started at the Garden Drive-Inn and headed towards Shickshinny. The trail, for about the first mile or mile and a half goes pretty much right along Route 11. I had my mp3 player going for the majority of this. You also pass some businesses and houses.

Eventually, the trail moves away from the road some .. just in time for you to hit the UGI station and the the prison. Their are signs along the trail warning you to keep on the trail and keep moving. I am assuming this has to do with the prison as you do not see them before or after you pass. Eventually, the trail moves more towards the river and you can't hear any traffic. You pass behind the prison firing range (its above you, don't worry), and get a great view of the river and mountain.

I would suggest, for those that like privacy when riding, waiting until the trees have some more leaves on them. Being near the river, you have a lot of cool wildlife along the trail but you also deal with a lot of drainage systems dumping water into the river. I would avoid the trail until a few days after any sort of heavy rain.

All in all, this trail is a great trail if you are into testing yourself in distance over tactical skill. It is a long trail, taking you all the way into Shickshinny, but is basically flat.
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Creek leading to the river
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: PPL Riverlands Park to Hunlock Creek Garden Drive-In
Counties: Columbia, Luzerne
Trail Length: 10.8 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6123157

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